An Extended Primer Grip of Picornavirus Polymerase Facilitates Sexual RNA Replication Mechanisms

Abstract

Picornaviruses have both asexual and sexual RNA replication mechanisms. Sexual RNA replication shapes picornavirus species groups, contributes to the emergence of vaccine-derived polioviruses, and counteracts error catastrophe. Can viruses distinguish between homologous and nonhomologous partners during sexual RNA replication? We implicate an extended primer grip of the viral polymerase in sexual RNA replication mechanisms. By sensing RNA sequence complementarity near the active site, the extended primer grip of the polymerase has the potential to distinguish between homologous and nonhomologous RNA templates during sexual RNA replication.