Abstract
Nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolase [EC 3.6.1.15] activity was found to be included in silkworm cytoplasmic polyhedrosis (CP) virus, which synthesizes mRNA carrying the 5'-terminal modification. This enzyme releases orthophosphate from the gamma-position in a nucleoside triphosphate, leaving nucleoside diphosphate. The rate of hydrolysis of ATP is faster than that of any other ribonucleoside triphosphate. Deoxy ATP is hydrolyzed rather faster than ATP. However, polynucleotides carrying triphosphate at the 5'-terminus, that is, 4S RNA which was synthesized by E. coli RNA polymerase [EC 2.7.7.6] using calf thymus DNA as a template, and the phage Q beta RNA (30S), are not effective substrates for this enzyme. Although the CP virion loses the viral genome and one kind of protein component on proteolytic treatment with pronase, the partially degraded virion still retains phosphohydrolase activity. The phosphohydrolase must therefore be associated firmly with the virion. This enzyme does not require the presence of nucleic acid for its function. Phosphohydrolysis of ATP by this enzyme activity represents a first step in the synthesis of the 5'-terminal modified mRNA of CP virus.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
