Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
22:10
Multi-target Parallel Processing Approach for Gene-to-structure Determination of the Influenza Polymerase PB2 Subunit
Published on: June 28, 2013
Oligomeric structures of poliovirus polymerase are important for function
S D Hobson1, E S Rosenblum, O C Richards
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0215, USA. scott.hobson@cellzome.de
The EMBO Journal
|March 7, 2001
Summary
Poliovirus RNA polymerase interactions are crucial for viral replication. Specific regions facilitate RNA binding and catalytic site formation, essential for poliovirus RNA replication.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Poliovirus RNA replication relies on the virally encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
- Previous studies suggested direct polymerase-polymerase interactions are vital for function.
- Crystal structures revealed two key regions of polymerase-polymerase interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional significance of observed polymerase-polymerase interactions.
- To elucidate the specific roles of these interaction regions in poliovirus polymerase function.
Main Methods:
- In solution RNA binding and extension assays with mutant polymerases.
- Disulfide cross-linking studies.
- In-cell mutational analyses, in vitro activity assays, and RNA substrate modeling.
Main Results:
- Both identified regions of polymerase-polymerase interaction are functionally important.
- One region enhances substrate RNA binding efficiency.
- The second region is critical for the formation of catalytic sites.
Conclusions:
- Polymerase-polymerase interactions provide essential structural context for poliovirus polymerase function.
- These interactions are indispensable for efficient poliovirus RNA replication within host cells.
Related Concept Videos
01:43Proofreading
Synthesis of new DNA molecules starts when DNA polymerase links nucleotides together in a sequence that is complementary to the template DNA strand. DNA polymerase has a higher affinity for the correct base to ensure fidelity in DNA replication. The DNA polymerase furthermore proofreads during replication, using an exonuclease domain that cuts off incorrect nucleotides from the nascent DNA strand.Errors during Replication Are Corrected by the DNA Polymerase EnzymeGenomic DNA is synthesized in...
03:01The Replisome
DNA replication is carried out by a large complex of proteins that act in a coordinated matter to achieve high-fidelity DNA replication. Together this complex is known as the DNA replication machinery or the replisome.
The synthesis of the leading and lagging strands is a highly coordinated process. To explain this, the “Trombone model” was proposed by Bruce Alberts in 1980. The DNA loop formation starts when a primer is synthesized on the parent lagging strand. The loop grows with the...
The synthesis of the leading and lagging strands is a highly coordinated process. To explain this, the “Trombone model” was proposed by Bruce Alberts in 1980. The DNA loop formation starts when a primer is synthesized on the parent lagging strand. The loop grows with the...
03:01The Replisome
DNA replication is carried out by a large complex of proteins that act in a coordinated matter to achieve high-fidelity DNA replication. Together this complex is known as the DNA replication machinery or the replisome.
The synthesis of the leading and lagging strands is a highly coordinated process. To explain this, the “Trombone model” was proposed by Bruce Alberts in 1980. The DNA loop formation starts when a primer is synthesized on the parent lagging strand. The loop grows with the...
The synthesis of the leading and lagging strands is a highly coordinated process. To explain this, the “Trombone model” was proposed by Bruce Alberts in 1980. The DNA loop formation starts when a primer is synthesized on the parent lagging strand. The loop grows with the...
01:31Proofreading
Synthesis of new DNA molecules is carried out by the enzyme DNA polymerase, which adds nucleotides on the daughter strand complementary to the template DNA strand. DNA polymerase has a higher affinity to add the correct base and ensures fidelity during DNA replication. Furthermore, it exhibits proofreading activity during replication, using an exonuclease domain that cuts off incorrect nucleotides from the nascent DNA strand.
Errors During Replication are Corrected by the DNA Polymerase Enzyme
Errors During Replication are Corrected by the DNA Polymerase Enzyme
01:25Nucleic Acid Structure
The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
DNA Structure
DNA has a double-helix structure. The...
DNA Structure
DNA has a double-helix structure. The...
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...