Q replicase (RNA-directed RNA polymerase of bacteriophageQ) exponentially amplifies certain RNAs (RQRNAs) in vitro. Here we characterize template propertiesof the 5 and 3 fragments obtained by cleaving oneof such RNAs at an internal site. We unexpectedly foundthat, besides the 3 fragment, Q replicase can copy the5 fragment and a number of its variants, although theylack the initiator region of RQ RNA. This copying canoccur as a 3-terminal elongation or through de novoinitiation. In contradistinction to RQ RNA and its 3fragment, initiation on these templates occurs withoutregard to the 3-terminal or internal oligo(C) clusters, isGTP-independent, and does not result in a stable replicativecomplex capable of elongation in the presence ofaurintricarboxylic acid. The results suggest that, althoughQ replicase can initiate and elongate on a varietyof RNAs, only some of them are recognized as legitimatetemplates. GTP-dependent initiation on alegitimate template drives the enzyme to a “closed” conformationthat may be important for keeping the templateand the complementary nascent strand unannealed,without which the exponential replication isimpossible. Triggering the GTP-dependent conformationaltransition at the initiation step could serve as adiscriminative feature of legitimate templates providingfor the high template specificity of Q replicase.
đang được dịch, vui lòng đợi..
