Evidence for a non-catalytic ion-binding site in multiple RNA-dependent RNA polymerases.

ABSTRACT: A high-affinity divalent cation-binding site located proximal to the catalytic center has been identified in several RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps), but the characteristics of such a site have not been systematically studied. Here, all available polymerase structures that follow the hand-like structural motif were screened for the presence of a divalent cation close to the catalytic site but distinct from catalytic metal ions. Such non-catalytic ions were found in all RNA virus families for which there were high-resolution RdRp structures available. Bound ions were always located in structurally similar locations at an approximate 6-Å distance from the catalytic site. Furthermore, the second aspartate residue in the highly conserved GDD sequence was found to be involved in the coord

SUBMITTER: Monttinen HA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3394715 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature