The Sendai virus P gene expresses both an essential protein and an inhibitor of RNA synthesis by shuffling modules via mRNA editing.
The P gene of Sendai virus expresses as many as eight proteins, two of which (V and W) are expressed only from edited mRNAs; only the P protein is known to be involved in RNA synthesis. To examine the functions of the other P gene proteins, we developed an in vivo system in which genome replication is driven by plasmid generated viral proteins. We found that P was essential for this process, whereas V and W were not only non-essential, they were inhibitory. By using various P gene deletions and varying the amounts of plasmids transfected, we provide evidence that P is a modular protein. The N-terminal domain (shared with V and W) binds the L or polymerase protein, whereas the C-terminal domain binds the nucleoprotein NP. A model of paramyxovirus RNA synthesis is presented, and the implications of negative regulation during persistent infection are discussed.
Curran
J
J
Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Geneva, School of Medicine, Switzerland.
Boeck
R
R
Kolakofsky
D
D
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D005814:Genes, Viral; D010222:Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010957:Plasmids; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D014162:Transfection; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
C055859:P protein, Sendai virus; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins