Reorganizing the RNA polymerase II complex for replication of an infectious noncoding RNA in vivo

DNA-dependent RNA polymerases (DdRPs) recognize not only DNA but also RNA templates. This RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) activity is exploited by bacterial 6S RNA, mammalian B2 RNA, viroids in plants, and hepatitis delta virus in human. A major knowledge gap exists regarding the molecular basis conferring this RdRP activity. Here, we provide evidence supporting the reorganization of the 12-subunit polymerase II (Pol II) to 7-subunit in vivo for PSTVd transcription. Rpb4/5/6/7/9 are not involved in PSTVd transcription in planta. A splicing variant of transcription factor IIIA with seven zinc finger domains (TFIIIA-7ZF) aids the remodeled Pol II in transcribing PSTVd. Using AlphaFold3, the structure of the remodeled Pol II with PSTVd RNA and TFIIIA-7ZF was predicted. The predicted structure and experimental data both show that the N-terminus of TFIIIA-7ZF binds to the left terminal domain of PSTVd, while the C-terminus interacts with Rpb2. Interestingly, AlphaFold3 also predicts the bending at PSTVd loop 8 in the TFIIIA-7ZF/PSTVd complex. Replacing this loop 8 with a rigid double-stranded conformation impairs the TFIIIA-7ZF/PSTVd interaction. Altogether, our data demonstrate the heterogenous organization of the Pol II enzyme on RNA template in vivo and provide structural insights into the organization of Pol II transcription complex on RNA template.