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Rice dwarf phytoreovirus segment S11 encodes a nucleic acid binding protein
1National Laboratory of Protein Engineering and Plant Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Virology
|February 10, 1998
Summary
The rice dwarf virus Pns11 protein binds DNA and RNA, requiring specific structural domains for activity. This binding is essential for virus replication and genome assortment.
Area of Science:
- Plant Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The precise function of rice dwarf virus (RDV) segment 11 and related phytoreovirus segments remains unknown.
- Segment 11 encodes the Pns11 protein, which possesses a potential zinc finger and basic regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nucleic acid binding properties of the RDV Pns11 protein.
- To identify the specific domains within Pns11 responsible for its binding activity.
Main Methods:
- Expression of full-length and truncated Pns11 proteins in Escherichia coli.
- Assaying nucleic acid binding properties of expressed proteins using DNA and RNA.
- Investigating the effect of EDTA on Pns11 binding activity.
Main Results:
- Pns11 binds single- and double-stranded DNA and RNA non-specifically.
- A truncated Pns11 derivative retaining the zinc-finger and C-terminal basic regions exhibited full binding activity.
- Removal of either the zinc-finger or the basic regions abolished Pns11 binding.
- EDTA treatment significantly reduced Pns11 binding activity.
- Pns11 from infected rice also binds single-stranded RNA.
Conclusions:
- RDV Pns11 binding activity is structure-dependent, relying on both the zinc-finger and C-terminal basic regions.
- The identified nucleic acid binding capability of Pns11 likely plays a crucial role in RDV replication and/or genome assortment.