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Selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase modules encoded by RNA viruses
W Zhang1, C S Ramanathan, R G Nadimpalli
1Computational Center for Molecular Structure and Design, and Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Georgia, Athens 30601-2352, USA.
Biological Trace Element Research
|October 27, 1999
Summary
Viruses, including HIV and hepatitis C, may encode functional glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzymes. This discovery suggests a novel role for selenoproteins in viral biology and potential new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is a key eukaryotic selenoprotein.
- It utilizes the rare amino acid selenocysteine (Sec) at its active site.
- The UGA codon in RNA typically encodes Sec.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of functional selenium-dependent GPx enzymes in viruses.
- To identify viral GPx modules using modified sequence database searching.
- To analyze the conservation and functionality of these viral GPx modules.
Main Methods:
- Modified sequence database searching techniques.
- Structurally guided comparative sequence analysis.
- Analysis of viral isolate sequences for conserved GPx features.
Main Results:
- A DNA virus, Molluscum contagiosum, was found to encode a functional selenium-dependent GPx.
- Evidence suggests Se-dependent GPx modules are encoded in several RNA viruses.
- Affected viruses include HIV-1, hepatitis C virus, coxsackievirus B3, HIV-2, and measles virus.
- Conserved GPx features were observed within viral subtypes, supporting functionality.
Conclusions:
- Viral genomes can encode functional glutathione peroxidase enzymes.
- This finding expands the known roles of selenoproteins in viral pathogenesis.
- The presence of viral GPx may offer new avenues for therapeutic intervention.