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The marburg virus 3' noncoding region structurally and functionally differs from that of ebola virus
Sven Enterlein1, Kristina M Schmidt, Michael Schümann
1Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
Journal of Virology
|February 20, 2009
Summary
Marburg virus (MARV) and Ebola virus (ZEBOV) have different transcription strategies due to distinct RNA structures in their genomic replication promoters. MARV
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- RNA Structure
Background:
- Zaire Ebola virus (ZEBOV) transcription regulation involves RNA secondary structures at the transcription start signal (TSS).
- Marburg virus (MARV) transcription and replication are VP30-independent, unlike ZEBOV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the MARV 3' noncoding region structure and its impact on VP30 necessity.
- To elucidate the structural differences in genomic replication promoters between MARV and ZEBOV.
Main Methods:
- Experimental determination of MARV TSS secondary structure.
- Construction and analysis of chimeric MARV minigenomes.
- Mapping of the MARV genomic replication promoter.
- Site-directed mutagenesis of MARV promoter elements.
Main Results:
- MARV TSS secondary structure differs significantly from ZEBOV TSS.
- Chimeric MARV minigenomes with ZEBOV-like structures failed transcription and replication.
- MARV promoter identified within the first 70 nucleotides, containing two elements and a spacer.
- Mutations in the MARV promoter spacer abolished transcription and enhanced replication.
- A conserved motif of three UN(5) hexamers in the second promoter element is crucial for MARV replication.
Conclusions:
- Structural variations in genomic replication promoters explain MARV and ZEBOV transcription strategy differences.
- MARV promoter elements and their structures dictate distinct transcription and replication initiation.
- The UN(5) hexamer motif is essential for MARV replication.
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