Structural highlights
Function
[PB2_I75A3] Involved in transcription initiation and cap-stealing mechanism, in which cellular capped pre-mRNA are used to generate primers for viral transcription. Binds the cap of the target pre-RNA which is subsequently cleaved by PB1. May play a role in genome replication (By similarity).
Publication Abstract from PubMed
Influenza virus mRNAs are synthesized by the trimeric viral polymerase using short capped primers obtained by a 'cap-snatching' mechanism. The polymerase PB2 subunit binds the 5' cap of host pre-mRNAs, which are cleaved after 10-13 nucleotides by the PB1 subunit. Using a library-screening method, we identified an independently folded domain of PB2 that has specific cap binding activity. The X-ray structure of the domain with bound cap analog m(7)GTP at 2.3-A resolution reveals a previously unknown fold and a mode of ligand binding that is similar to, but distinct from, other cap binding proteins. Binding and functional studies with point mutants confirm that the identified site is essential for cap binding in vitro and cap-dependent transcription in vivo by the trimeric polymerase complex. These findings clarify the nature of the cap binding site in PB2 and will allow efficient structure-based design of new anti-influenza compounds inhibiting viral transcription.
The structural basis for cap binding by influenza virus polymerase subunit PB2.,Guilligay D, Tarendeau F, Resa-Infante P, Coloma R, Crepin T, Sehr P, Lewis J, Ruigrok RW, Ortin J, Hart DJ, Cusack S Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2008 May;15(5):500-6. Epub 2008 May 4. PMID:18454157[1]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
See Also
References
- ↑ Guilligay D, Tarendeau F, Resa-Infante P, Coloma R, Crepin T, Sehr P, Lewis J, Ruigrok RW, Ortin J, Hart DJ, Cusack S. The structural basis for cap binding by influenza virus polymerase subunit PB2. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2008 May;15(5):500-6. Epub 2008 May 4. PMID:18454157 doi:10.1038/nsmb.1421
