Permutation of the active site of putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in a newly identified species of plant alpha-like virus.
To direct the genome synthesis, RNA viruses without a DNA stage in the replication cycle use RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). All RdRps have conserved right hand-like shape that includes characteristic A-->B-->C sequence motifs forming the active site. Recently, the structural permutation of the RdRp active site (C-->A-->B) has been described in few double-stranded RNA birnaviruses and a subset of positive-stranded RNA tetraviruses distantly related to Picorna-like viruses. Here we describe a permuted RdRp in the newly identified plant alpha-like virus with 6.5 kb-long polyadenylated genome, dubbed Grapevine virus Q (GVQ). The multi-domain layout and sequence similarities place GVQ into the genus Marafivirus of the family Tymoviridae. In contrast to other tymovirids, GVQ has 21 amino acid residues corresponding to the motif C relocated upstream of the motif A in the putative RdRp. This unique sequence characteristic was extensively verified and identified in several GVQ isolates infecting wild and cultivated Vitis and Rubus spp.
Sabanadzovic
Sead
S
Department of Entomology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. ss501@msstate.edu
Ghanem-Sabanadzovic
Nina Abou
NA
Gorbalenya
Alexander E
AE
D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D020134:Catalytic Domain; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D046830:Tymoviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D027843:Vitis / Q000821:virology
D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase