The flavivirus NS5 protein is a true RNA guanylyltransferase that catalyzes a two-step reaction to form the RNA cap structure

RNA. 2009 Dec;15(12):2340-50. doi: 10.1261/rna.1609709. Epub 2009 Oct 22.

Abstract

The 5'-end of the flavivirus genome harbors a methylated (m7)GpppA(2'OMe) cap structure, which is generated by the virus-encoded RNA triphosphatase, RNA (guanine-N7) methyltransferase, nucleoside 2'-O-methyltransferase, and RNA guanylyltransferase. The presence of the flavivirus guanylyltransferase activity in NS5 has been suggested by several groups but has not been empirically proven. Here we provide evidence that the N-terminus of the flavivirus NS5 protein is a true RNA guanylyltransferase. We demonstrate that GTP can be used as a substrate by the enzyme to form a covalent GMP-enzyme intermediate via a phosphoamide bond. Mutational studies also confirm the importance of a specific lysine residue in the GTP binding site for the enzymatic activity. We show that the GMP moiety can be transferred to the diphosphate end of an RNA transcript harboring an adenosine as the initiating residue. We also demonstrate that the flavivirus RNA triphosphatase (NS3 protein) stimulates the RNA guanylyltransferase activity of the NS5 protein. Finally, we show that both enzymes are sufficient and necessary to catalyze the de novo formation of a methylated RNA cap structure in vitro using a triphosphorylated RNA transcript. Our study provides biochemical evidence that flaviviruses encode a complete RNA capping machinery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocatalysis*
  • Flavivirus / enzymology*
  • Guanosine Monophosphate / metabolism
  • Nucleotidyltransferases / genetics
  • Nucleotidyltransferases / metabolism*
  • RNA Caps / chemistry
  • RNA Caps / metabolism*
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • NS5 protein, flavivirus
  • RNA Caps
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Guanosine Monophosphate
  • Nucleotidyltransferases
  • guanylyltransferase