title: Completion of RNA synthesis by viral RNA replicases.
abstract: How the 5'-terminus of the template affects RNA synthesis by viral RNA replicases is poorly understood. Using short DNA, RNA and RNA-DNA chimeric templates that can direct synthesis of replicase products, we found that DNA templates tend to direct the synthesis of RNA products that are shorter by 1 nt in comparison to RNA templates. Template-length RNA synthesis was also affected by the concentration of nucleoside triphosphates, the identity of the bases at specific positions close to the 5'-terminus and the C2'-hydroxyl of a ribose at the third nucleotide from the 5'-terminal nucleotide. Similar requirements are observed with two bromoviral replicases, but not with a recombinant RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. These results begin to define the interactions needed for the viral replicase to complete synthesis of viral RNA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tayon
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Kao
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D017795:Bromovirus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D020134:Catalytic Domain; D017799:Cucumovirus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012265:Ribonucleotides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012266:Ribose / Q000378:metabolism; D013698:Templates, Genetic
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012265:Ribonucleotides; D012266:Ribose; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase