RNA-dependent RNA polymerases of picornaviruses: From the structure to regulatory mechanisms

© 2015 by the author; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. RNA viruses typically encode their own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) to ensure genome replication within the infected cells. RdRP function is critical not only for the virus life cycle but also for its adaptive potential. The combination...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Ferrer-Orta, Cristina, Ferrero, Diego, Verdaguer, Núria
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/124078
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/124078
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:viral replication
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
positive-strand RNA viruses
picornaviruses
replication fidelity
Descripción
Sumario:© 2015 by the author; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. RNA viruses typically encode their own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) to ensure genome replication within the infected cells. RdRP function is critical not only for the virus life cycle but also for its adaptive potential. The combination of low fidelity of replication and the absence of proofreading and excision activities within the RdRPs result in high mutation frequencies that allow these viruses a rapid adaptation to changing environments. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about structural and functional aspects on RdRP catalytic complexes, focused mainly in the Picornaviridae family. The structural data currently available from these viruses provided high-resolution snapshots for a range of conformational states associated to RNA template-primer binding, rNTP recognition, catalysis and chain translocation. As these enzymes are major targets for the development of antiviral compounds, such structural information is essential for the design of new therapies.