@article{mbs:/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/vir.0.81809-0, author = "Gallei, Andreas and Widauer, Simone and Thiel, Heinz-Jürgen and Becher, Paul", title = "Mutations in the palm region of a plus-strand RNA virus polymerase result in attenuated phenotype", journal= "Journal of General Virology", year = "2006", volume = "87", number = "12", pages = "3631-3636", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.81809-0", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/vir.0.81809-0", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1465-2099", type = "Journal Article", abstract = "The three-dimensional structure of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps) is highly conserved among RNA viruses. In a previous study, a unique set of mutant strains of Bovine viral diarrhea virus was obtained, encompassing either a genomic deletion of six codons or duplications of between 1 and 45 codons; these mutations affect different parts of the palm region, the most conserved part of RdRps containing the catalytic centre. In the present study, a detailed characterization of the RdRp mutant viruses was performed, demonstrating different degrees of a small-plaque phenotype in cell culture, correlating with significantly reduced viral RNA synthesis and delayed virus replication. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate a surprising flexibility within the palm region of a plus-strand RNA virus RdRp, resulting in viral attenuation in vitro. This interesting insight into an essential viral protein may have implications for the development of vaccines and attenuated viral vectors.", }