2GAF

Crystal structures of the vaccinia virus polyadenylate polymerase heterodimer: insights into ATP selectivity and processivity.

(2006) Mol Cell 22: 339-349

• PubMed: 16678106 Search on PubMed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2006.03.015
• Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
  2GA9, 2GAF


• PubMed Abstract: 
  

  Polyadenylation of mRNAs in poxviruses, crucial for virion maturation, is carried out by a poly(A) polymerase heterodimer composed of a catalytic component, VP55, and a processivity factor, VP39. The ATP-gamma-S bound and unbound crystal structures of the vaccinia polymerase reveal an unusual architecture for VP55 that comprises of N-terminal, central or catalytic, and C-terminal domains with different topologies and that differs from many polymerases, including the eukaryotic poly(A) polymerases. Residues in the active site of VP55, located between the catalytic and C-terminal domains, make specific interactions with the adenine of the ATP analog, establishing the molecular basis of ATP recognition. VP55's concave surface docks the globular VP39. A model for RNA primer binding that involves all three VP55 domains and VP39 is proposed. The model supports biochemical evidence that VP39 functions as a processivity factor by partially enclosing the RNA primer at the heterodimer interface.

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Organizational Affiliation: 

Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.