Molecular mechanism of de novo replication of Ebolavirus Polymerase

Ebola virus, rabies virus, human respiratory syncytial virus, and pneumoviruses are of significant zoonotic and economic threats. They cause respiratory infections, hemorrhagic fever, and encephalitis. Large(L) Polymerase, a potential target for antiviral drug development, controls de novo replication of EBOV's L-polymerase. Researchers found that a minimum of 3 bases can drive RNA synthesis elongation, independent of the specific RNA sequence. This binds to the template entry channel with a distinctive tortuous stable bend conformation, enabling de novo replication activity.
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