Identification of a Conserved RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase (RdRp)-RNA Interface Required for Flaviviral Replication.

ABSTRACT: Dengue virus, an ∼10.7-kb positive-sense RNA virus, is the most common arthropod-communicated pathogen in the world. Despite dengue's clear epidemiological importance, mechanisms for its replication remain elusive. Here, we probed the entire dengue genome for interactions with viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and we identified the dominant interaction as a loop-forming ACAG motif in the 3' positive-stranded terminus, complicating the prevailing model of replication. A subset of interactions coincides with known flaviviral recombination sites inside the viral protein-coding region. Specific recognition of the RNA element occurs via an arginine patch in the C-terminal thumb domain of RdRp. We also show that the highly conserved nature of the consensus RNA motif may relate to its to

SUBMITTER: Hodge K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5016140 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature