Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus RdRp Research Articles

Design and Optimization of Quinazoline Derivatives: New Non-nucleoside Inhibitors of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) belongs to the Pestivirus genus (Flaviviridae). In spite of the availability of vaccines, the virus is still causing substantial financial losses to the livestock industry. In this context, the use of antiviral agents could be an alternative strategy to control and reduce viral infections. The viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is essential for the replication of the viral genome and constitutes an attractive target for the identification of antiviral compounds. In a previous work, we have identified potential molecules that dock into an allosteric binding pocket of BVDV RdRp via a structure-based virtual screening approach. One of them, N-(2-morpholinoethyl)-2-phenylquinazolin-4-amine [1, 50% effective concentration (EC50) = 9.7 ± 0.5 μM], was selected to perform different chemical modifications. Among 24 derivatives synthesized, eight of them showed considerable antiviral activity. Molecular modeling of the most active compounds showed that they bind to a pocket located in the fingers and thumb domains in BVDV RdRp, which is different from that identified for other non-nucleoside inhibitors (NNIs) such as thiosemicarbazone (TSC). We selected compound 2-[4-(2-phenylquinazolin-4-yl)piperazin-1-yl]ethanol (1.9; EC50 = 1.7 ± 0.4 μM) for further analysis. Compound 1.9 was found to inhibit the in vitro replication of TSC-resistant BVDV variants, which carry the N264D mutation in the RdRp. In addition, 1.9 presented adequate solubility in different media and a high-stability profile in murine and bovine plasma.

Quinolinecarboxamides Inhibit the Replication of the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus by Targeting a Hot Spot for the Inhibition of Pestivirus Replication in the RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase.

The bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a pestivirus from the family of Flaviviridae is ubiquitous and causes a range of clinical manifestations in livestock, mainly cattle. Two quinolinecarboxamide analogues were identified in a CPE-based screening effort, as selective inhibitors of the in vitro bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) replication, i.e., TO505-6180/CSFCI (average EC50 = 0.07 µM, SD = 0.02 µM, CC50 > 100 µM) and TO502-2403/CSFCII (average EC50 = 0.2 µM, SD = 0.06 µM, CC50 > 100 µM). The initial antiviral activity observed for both hits against BVDV was corroborated by measuring the inhibitory effect on viral RNA synthesis and the production of infectious virus. Modification of the substituents on the quinolinecarboxamide scaffold resulted in analogues that proved about 7-fold more potent (average EC50 = 0.03 with a SD = 0.01 µM) and that were devoid of cellular toxicity, for the concentration range tested (SI = 3333). CSFCII resistant BVDV variants were selected and were found to carry the F224P mutation in the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), whereas CSFCI resistant BVDV carried two mutations in the same region of the RdRp, i.e., N264D and F224Y. Likewise, molecular modeling revealed that F224P/Y and N264D are located in a small cavity near the fingertip domain of the pestivirus polymerase. CSFC-resistant BVDV proved to be cross-resistant to earlier reported pestivirus inhibitors (BPIP, AG110, LZ37, and BBP) that are known to target the same region of the RdRp. CSFC analogues did not inhibit the in vitro activity of recombinant BVDV RdRp but inhibited the activity of BVDV replication complexes (RCs). CSFC analogues likely interact with the fingertip of the pestivirus RdRp at the same position as BPIP, AG110, LZ37, and BBP. This indicates that this region is a “hot spot” for the inhibition of pestivirus replication.

Conformational Characterization of Linker Revealed the Mechanism of Cavity Formation by 227G in BVDV RDRP.

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is a relevant antiviral drug target. We investigated a potent benzimidazole inhibitor (227G; IC50 = 0.002 μM) against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) RdRp; however, its inhibition action was completely impaired in the presence of a resistant mutation, I261M. The binding of 227G in mutant RdRp affected the binding site loop conformations (especially Linker) that increased the volume of the binding site. It was also observed that the innate Linker's flexibility was retained, which was otherwise completely frozen in the wild-type complex. The functional role of Linker was hypothesized that it is a multidocking site for RNA template, inhibitors, and the other proteins involved in replication complex formation. The binding phenomenon requires significant molecular flexibility and the large-amplitude conformational dynamics of Linker, which is currently unknown. We observed a bidirectional "hinge"-like motion of Linker from crystal position, indicating its pronounced flexible behavior. This study underscores the importance of Linker's flexibility in the functionality of BVDV RdRp and proposes the template entrance site for selective anti-BVDV drug discovery.

Identification of potent bovine viral diarrhea virus inhibitors by a structure-based virtual screening approach

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a pestivirus whose infection in cattle is globally distributed. The use of antivirals could complement vaccination as a tool of control and reduce economic losses. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of the virus is essential for its genome replication and constitutes an attractive target for the identification of antivirals. With the aim of obtaining selective BVDV inhibitors, the crystal structure of BVDV RdRp was used to perform a virtual screening. Approximately 15,000 small molecules from commercial and in-house databases were evaluated and several structurally different compounds were tested in vitro for antiviral activity. Interestingly, of twelve evaluated compounds, five were active and displayed EC50 values in the sub and low-micromolar range. Time of drug addition experiment and measured intracellular BVDV RNA showed that compound 7 act during RNA synthesis. Molecular Dynamics and MM/PBSA calculation were done to characterize the interaction of the most active compounds with RdRp, which will allow future ligand optimization. These studies highlight the use of in silico screening to identify a new class of BVDV inhibitors.

A combined in silico/in vitro approach unveils common molecular requirements for efficient BVDV RdRp binding of linear aromatic N-polycyclic systems

In this work, we present and discuss a comprehensive set of both newly and previously synthesized compounds belonging to 5 distinct molecular classes of linear aromatic N-polycyclic systems that efficiently inhibits bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection. A coupled in silico/in vitro investigation was employed to formulate a molecular rationale explaining the notable affinity of all molecules to BVDV RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) NS5B. We initially developed a three-dimensional common-feature pharmacophore model according to which two hydrogen bond acceptors and one hydrophobic aromatic feature are shared by all molecular series in binding the viral polymerase. The pharmacophoric information was used to retrieve a putative binding site on the surface of the BVDV RdRp and to guide compound docking within the protein binding site. The affinity of all compounds towards the enzyme was scored via molecular dynamics-based simulations, showing high correlation with in vitro EC50 data. The determination of the interaction spectra of the protein residues involved in inhibitor binding highlighted amino acids R295 and Y674 as the two fundamental H-bond donors, while two hydrophobic cavities HC1 (residues A221, I261, I287, and Y289) and HC2 (residues V216, Y303, V306, K307, P408, and A412) fulfill the third pharmacophoric requirement. Three RdRp (K263, R295 and Y674) residues critical for drug binding were selected and mutagenized, both in silico and in vitro, into alanine, and the affinity of a set of selected compounds towards the mutant RdRp isoforms was determined accordingly. The agreement between predicted and experimental data confirmed the proposed common molecular rationale shared by molecules characterized by different chemical scaffolds in binding to the BVDV RdRp, ultimately yielding compound 6b (EC50 = 0.3 μM; IC50 = 0.48 μM) as a new, potent inhibitor of this Pestivirus.

3-(imidazo[1,2-a:5,4-b′]dipyridin-2-yl)aniline inhibits pestivirus replication by targeting a hot spot drug binding pocket in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

The compound 3-(imidazo[1,2-a:5,4-b′]dipyridin-2-yl)aniline (CF02334) was identified as a selective inhibitor of the cytopathic effect (CPE) caused by bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in a virus-cell-based assay. The EC50-values for inhibition of CPE, viral RNA synthesis and the production of infectious virus progeny were 13.0 ± 0.6 μM, 2.6 ± 0.9 μM and 17.8 ± 0.6 μM, respectively. CF02334 was found to be inactive in the hepatitis C subgenomic replicon system. CF02334-resistant BVDV was obtained and was found to carry the N264D mutation in the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Molecular modeling revealed that N264D is located in a small cavity near the fingertip domain of the pestivirus polymerase. CF02334-resistant BVDV was proven to be cross-resistant to BPIP, AG110 and LZ37, inhibitors that have previously been described to target the same region of the BVDV RdRp. CF02334 did not inhibit the in vitro activity of recombinant BVDV RdRp, but did inhibit the activity of BVDV replication complexes. Taken together, these observations indicate that CF02334 likely interacts with the fingertip of the pestivirus RdRp at the same position as BPIP, AG110 and LZ37, which marks this region of the viral polymerase as a “hot spot” for inhibition of pestivirus replication.

Molecular Mechanism of Viral Resistance to a Potent Non-nucleoside Inhibitor Unveiled by Molecular Simulations

Recently, we reported on a potent benzimidazole derivative (227G) that inhibits the growth of the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in cell-based and enzyme assays at nanomolar concentrations. The target of 227G is the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and the I261M mutation located in motif I of the RdRp finger domain was found to induce drug resistance. Here we propose a molecular mechanism for the retained functionality of the enzyme in the presence of the inhibitor, on the basis of a thorough computational study of the apo and holo forms of the BVDV RdRp either in the wild type (wt) or in the form carrying the I261M mutation. Our study shows that although the mutation affects to some extent the structure of the apoenzyme, the functional dynamics of the protein appear to be largely maintained, which is consistent with the retained functionality of this natural mutant. Despite the binding site of 227G not collapsing or undergoing drastic structural changes upon introduction of the I261M substitution, these alterations reflect crucially on the binding mode of 227G, which is significantly different from that found in wt RdRp. In particular, while in the wt system the four loops lining the template entrance site embrace 227G and close the template passageway, in the I261M variant the template entrance is only marginally occluded, allowing in principle the translocation of the template to the interior of the enzyme. In addition, the mutated enzyme in the presence of 227G retains several characteristics of the wt apoprotein. Our work provides an original molecular picture of a resistance mechanism that is consistent with published experimental data.

Substituted 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridines: A novel chemical class of pestivirus inhibitors that targets a hot spot for inhibition of pestivirus replication in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

2,6-Bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine (BBP/CSFA-0) was identified in a CPE-based screening as a selective inhibitor of the in vitro bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) replication. The EC50-values for the inhibition of BVDV-induced cytopathic (CPE) effect, viral RNA synthesis and the production of infectious virus were 0.3±0.1μM, 0.05±0.01μM and 0.3±0.04μM, respectively. Furthermore, BBP/CSFA-0 inhibits the in vitro replication of the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) with an EC50 of 0.33±0.25μM. BBP/CSFA-0 proved in vitro inactive against the hepatitis C virus, that belongs like BVDV and CSFV to the family of Flaviviridae. Modification of the substituents on the two 1H-benzimidazole groups of BBP resulted in analogues equipotent in anti-BVDV activity (EC50=0.7±0.1μM), devoid of cytotoxicity (S.I.=142). BBP resistant BVDV was selected for and was found to carry the I261M mutation in the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Likewise, BBP-resistant CSFV was selected for; this variant carries either an I261N or a P262A mutation in NS5B. Molecular modeling revealed that I261 and P262 are located in a small cavity near the fingertip domain of the pestivirus polymerase. BBP-resistant BVDV and CSFV proved to be cross-resistant to earlier reported pestivirus inhibitors (BPIP, AG110 and LZ37) that are known to target the same region of the RdRp. BBP did not inhibit the in vitro activity of recombinant BVDV RdRp but inhibited the activity of BVDV replication complexes (RCs). BBP interacts likely with the fingertip of the pestivirus RdRp at the same position as BPIP, AG110 and LZ37. This indicates that this region is a “hot spot” for inhibition of pestivirus replication.

Inhibition of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus RNA Synthesis by Thiosemicarbazone Derived from 5,6-Dimethoxy-1-Indanone

In the present work, we described the activity of the thiosemicarbazone derived from 5,6-dimethoxy-1-indanone (TSC), which we previously characterized as a new compound that inhibits bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection. We showed that TSC acts at a point of time that coincides with the onset of viral RNA synthesis and that it inhibits the activity of BVDV replication complexes (RCs). Moreover, we have selected five BVDV mutants that turned out to be highly resistant to TSC but still susceptible to ribavirin (RBV). Four of these resistant mutants carried an N264D mutation in the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). The remaining mutant showed an A392E mutation within the same protein. Some of these mutants replicated slower than the wild-type (wt) virus in the absence of TSC, whereas others showed a partial reversion to the wt phenotype over several passages in the absence of the compound. The docking of TSC in the crystal structure of the BVDV RdRp revealed a close contact between the indane ring of the compound and several residues within the fingers domain of the enzyme, some hydrophobic contacts, and hydrogen bonds with the thiosemicarbazone group. Finally, in the mutated RdRp from resistant BVDV, these interactions with TSC could not be achieved. Interestingly, TSC inhibited BVDV replication in cell culture synergistically with RBV. In conclusion, TSC emerges as a new nonnucleoside inhibitor of BVDV RdRp that is synergistic with RBV, a feature that turns it into a potential compound to be evaluated against hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Point Mutation I261M Affects the Dynamics of BVDV and its Interaction with Benzimidazole Antiviral 227G

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a Pestivirus of the Flaviviridae family and represents a major viral pathogen in cattle and other ruminants. Infection with BVDV can result in a wide assortment of disease manifestations including resorption, mummification, or abortion of the dead fetus. Recently the point mutation I261M on the thumb domain was shown to confer resistance to BDVD against 227G and other benzimidazole compounds. Here we investigated the role of this mutation by using a multidisciplinary protocol, not involving free energy calculations on structures of the mutated complex which are taken a priori similar to those of the wild one. Namely, we firstly performed MD simulations on the wild and mutated BVDV RdRp proteins in aqueous solution. Then, we selected representative equilibrium conformations by performing a cluster analysis, and ran docking calculations of 277G on representative of the 5 most populated clusters of each protein. Finally, we performed MD simulation on selected complexes as to assess structural and dynamical differences between wild and mutated 227G-protein adducts.Interestingly, the mutation affects the structure and the dynamics of the protein, particularly in the region of binding of the ligand, and this results in a different binding site of 227G with respect to the wild protein. Moreover, while 227G closes the entrance to the RNA strand in the case of the wild protein, a gate and a channel leading to the catalytic site are still present in the mutated complex. These results could offer a possible molecular explanation of the resistance mechanism by mutation I261M.

A pyrazolotriazolopyrimidinamine inhibitor of bovine viral diarrhea virus replication that targets the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

[7-[3-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)propyl]-2-(2-furyl)-7H-pyrazolo[4,3-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-5-amine] (LZ37) was identified as a selective inhibitor of in vitro bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) replication. The EC 50 values for inhibition of BVDV-induced cytopathic effect (CPE) formation, viral RNA synthesis and production of infectious virus were 4.3 ± 0.7 μM, 12.9 ± 1 μM and 5.8 ± 0.6 μM, respectively. LZ37 proved inactive against the hepatitis C virus and the flavivirus yellow fever. LZ37 inhibits BVDV replication at a time point that coincides with the onset of intracellular viral RNA synthesis. Drug-resistant mutants carried the F224Y mutation in the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). LZ37 showed cross-resistance with the imidazopyrrolopyridine AG110 [which selects for the E291G drug resistance mutation] as well as with the imidazopyridine BPIP [which selects for the F224S drug-resistant mutation]. LZ37 did not inhibit the in vitro activity of purified recombinant BVDV RdRp. Molecular modelling revealed that F224 is located near the tip of the finger domain of the RdRp. Docking of LZ37 in the crystal structure of the BVDV RdRp revealed several potential contacts including: (i) hydrophobic contacts of LZ37 with A221, A222, G223, F224 and A392; (ii) a stacking interaction between F224 side chain and the ring system of LZ37 and (iii) a hydrogen bond between the amino function of LZ37 and the O backbone atom of A392. It is concluded that LZ37 interacts with the same binding site as BPIP or VP32947 at the top of the finger domain of the polymerase that is a “hot spot” for inhibition of pestivirus replication.

The Imidazopyrrolopyridine Analogue AG110 Is a Novel, Highly Selective Inhibitor of Pestiviruses That Targets the Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase at a Hot Spot for Inhibition of Viral Replication

Ethyl 2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-8-carboxylate (AG110) was identified as a potent inhibitor of pestivirus replication. The 50% effective concentration values for inhibition of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)-induced cytopathic effect, viral RNA synthesis, and production of infectious virus were 1.2 +/- 0.5 microM, 5 +/- 1 microM, and 2.3 +/- 0.3 microM, respectively. AG110 proved inactive against the hepatitis C virus and a flavivirus. AG110 inhibits BVDV replication at a time point that coincides with the onset of intracellular viral RNA synthesis. Drug-resistant mutants carry the E291G mutation in the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). AG110-resistant virus is cross-resistant to the cyclic urea compound 1453 which also selects for the E291G drug resistance mutation. Moreover, BVDV that carries the F224S mutation (because of resistance to the imidazopyridine 5-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-2-phenyl-5H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine [BPIP]and VP32947) is also resistant to AG110. AG110 did not inhibit the in vitro activity of recombinant BVDV RdRp but inhibited the activity of BVDV replication complexes (RCs). Molecular modeling revealed that E291 is located in a small cavity near the tip of the finger domain of the RdRp about 7 A away from F224. Docking of AG110 in the crystal structure of the BVDV RdRp revealed several potential contacts including with Y257. The E291G mutation might enable the free rotation of Y257, which might in turn destabilize the backbone of the loop formed by residues 223 to 226, rendering more mobility to F224 and, hence, reducing the affinity for BPIP and VP32947. It is concluded that a single drug-binding pocket exists within the finger domain region of the BVDV RdRp that consists of two separate but potentially overlapping binding sites rather than two distinct drug-binding pockets.

A Novel, Highly Selective Inhibitor of Pestivirus Replication That Targets the Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase

We report on the highly potent and selective antipestivirus activity of 5-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-2-phenyl-5H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine (BPIP). The 50% effective concentration (EC50) for inhibition of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)-induced cytopathic effect formation was 0.04 +/- 0.01 microM. Comparable reduction of viral RNA synthesis (EC50 = 0.12 +/- 0.02 microM) and production of infectious virus (EC50= 0.074 +/- 0.003 microM) were observed. The selectivity index (ratio of 50% cytostatic concentration/EC50) of BPIP was approximately 2,000. BPIP was inactive against the hepatitis C virus subgenomic replicon and yellow fever virus but demonstrated weak activity against GB virus. Drug-resistant mutants were at least 300-fold less susceptible to BPIP than wild-type virus; showed cross-resistance to N-propyl-N-[2-(2H-1,2,4-triazino[5,6-b]indol-3-ylthio)ethyl]-1-propanamine (VP32947), and carried the F224S mutation in the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). When the F224S mutation was introduced into an infectious clone, the drug-resistant phenotype was obtained. BPIP did not inhibit the in vitro activity of recombinant BVDV RdRp, but did inhibit the activity of replication complexes (RCs). Computational docking revealed that F224 is located at the top of the finger domain of the polymerase. Docking of BPIP in the crystal structure of the BVDV RdRp revealed aromatic ring stacking, some hydrophobic contacts, and a hydrogen bond. Since two structurally unrelated compounds, i.e., BPIP and VP32947, target the same region of the BVDV RdRp, this position may be expected to be critical in the functioning of the polymerase or assembly of the RC. The potential of BPIP for the treatment of pestivirus and hepacivirus infections is discussed.

The modeled structure of the RNA dependent RNA polymerase of GBV-C Virus suggests a role for motif E in Flaviviridae RNA polymerases

BackgroundThe Flaviviridae virus family includes major human and animal pathogens. The RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) plays a central role in the replication process, and thus is a validated target for antiviral drugs. Despite the increasing structural and enzymatic characterization of viral RdRps, detailed molecular replication mechanisms remain unclear. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major human pathogen difficult to study in cultured cells. The bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is often used as a surrogate model to screen antiviral drugs against HCV. The structure of BVDV RdRp has been recently published. It presents several differences relative to HCV RdRp. These differences raise questions about the relevance of BVDV as a surrogate model, and cast novel interest on the "GB" virus C (GBV-C). Indeed, GBV-C is genetically closer to HCV than BVDV, and can lead to productive infection of cultured cells. There is no structural data for the GBV-C RdRp yet.ResultsWe show in this study that the GBV-C RdRp is closest to the HCV RdRp. We report a 3D model of the GBV-C RdRp, developed using sequence-to-structure threading and comparative modeling based on the atomic coordinates of the HCV RdRp structure. Analysis of the predicted structural features in the phylogenetic context of the RNA polymerase family allows rationalizing most of the experimental data available. Both available structures and our model are explored to examine the catalytic cleft, allosteric and substrate binding sites.ConclusionComputational methods were used to infer evolutionary relationships and to predict the structure of a viral RNA polymerase. Docking a GTP molecule into the structure allows defining a GTP binding pocket in the GBV-C RdRp, such as that of BVDV. The resulting model suggests a new proposition for the mechanism of RNA synthesis, and may prove useful to design new experiments to implement our knowledge on the initiation mechanism of RNA polymerases.

Excision of Incorporated Nucleotide Analogue Chain-terminators can Diminish their Inhibitory Effects on Viral RNA-dependent RNA Polymerases

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is amongst the best-characterized members of the Flaviviridae, that includes the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The virally encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) plays a crucial role during replication and therefore represents an important target for the development of antiviral drugs. Here we studied biochemical mechanisms associated with the inhibition of BVDV RNA synthesis by 2′-hydroxyl, 3′-deoxynucleoside triphosphates (3′-dNTPs). All four nucleotide analogues are effectively incorporated and act as chain-terminators. However, relatively low, physiologically relevant concentrations of pyrophosphate (PPi) are sufficient to drive the reaction backwards, which results in primer unblocking and rescue of RNA synthesis. Metal ion requirements for nucleotide incorporation and pyrophosphorolysis are similar; the efficiency of both reactions is higher with Mn2+ as compared to Mg2+. Complexes containing chain-terminated primer strands are stable in the presence of heparin, which increases the probability that pyrophosphorolysis occurs before the enzyme can dissociate from its nucleic acid substrate. In contrast to the reverse transcriptase of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1 RT), the BVDV RdRp may not recruit NTP pools as PPi donors. Conversely, we found that the efficiency of primer unblocking is severely compromised in the presence of increasing concentrations of the NTP that is complementary to the next template position. These data suggest that the incoming NTP can access its designated binding site, which, in turn, prevents the catalytically competent complexation of PPi. The results of this study provide novel insights into mechanisms involved in pyrophosphorolysis associated with viral RdRps, and suggest that the excision reaction is likely to be an important parameter that can affect susceptibility to nucleotide analogue inhibitors directed against viral RdRps.

Requirements for de novo initiation of RNA synthesis by recombinant flaviviral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases.

RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps) that initiate RNA synthesis by a de novo mechanism should specifically recognize the template initiation nucleotide, T1, and the substrate initiation nucleotide, the NTPi. The RdRps from hepatitis C virus (HCV), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), and GB virus-B all can initiate RNA synthesis by a de novo mechanism. We used RNAs and GTP analogs, respectively, to examine the use of the T1 nucleotide and the initiation nucleotide (NTPi) during de novo initiation of RNA synthesis. The effects of the metal ions Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) on initiation were also analyzed. All three viral RdRps require correct base pairing between the T1 and NTPi for efficient RNA synthesis. However, each RdRp had some distinct tolerances for modifications in the T1 and NTPi. For example, the HCV RdRp preferred an NTPi lacking one or more phosphates regardless of whether Mn(2+) was present or absent, while the BVDV RdRp efficiently used GDP and GMP for initiation of RNA synthesis only in the presence of Mn(2+). These and other results indicate that although the three RdRps share a common mechanism of de novo initiation, each has distinct preferences.

Mutational analysis of bovine viral diarrhea virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

Recombinant bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B) produced in insect cells has been shown to possess an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity. Our initial attempt to produce the full-length BVDV NS5B with a C-terminal hexahistidine tag in Escherichia coli failed due to the expression of insoluble products. Prompted by a recent report that removal of the C-terminal hydrophobic domain significantly improved the solubility of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B, we constructed a similar deletion of 24 amino acids at the C terminus of BVDV NS5B. The resulting fusion protein, NS5BDeltaCT24-His, was purified to homogeneity and demonstrated to direct RNA replication via both primer-dependent (elongative) and primer-independent (de novo) mechanisms. Furthermore, BVDV RdRp was found to utilize a circular single-stranded DNA as a template for RNA synthesis, suggesting that synthesis does not require ends in the template. In addition to the previously described polymerase motifs A, B, C, and D, alignments with other flavivirus sequences revealed two additional motifs, one N-terminal to motif A and one C-terminal to motif D. Extensive alanine substitutions showed that while most mutations had similar effects on both elongative and de novo RNA syntheses, some had selective effects. Finally, deletions of up to 90 amino acids from the N terminus did not significantly affect RdRp activities, whereas deletions of more than 24 amino acids at the C terminus resulted in either insoluble products or soluble proteins (DeltaCT179 and DeltaCT218) that lacked RdRp activities.