Phosphoprotein P of Rinderpest virus binds to plus sense leader RNA: regulation by phosphorylation

The negative sense genome RNA of Rinderpest virus, a Paramyxoviridae, is encapsidated with the nucleocapsid protein N and serves as a template for the viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase for transcription and replication. The viral RNA polymerase consists of the large protein L and the phosphoprotein P functioning as the P–L complex. We provide in this report, evidences for specific binding of P protein of Rinderpest virus to the plus sense leader RNA depending on its phosphorylation status. We have also demonstrated that P protein is released from the le RNA:P protein complex upon phosphorylation in vitro. Finally, we have identified that the C-terminal 358–389 amino acid residues of P protein is involved in le RNA binding. The leader RNA binding may signify a hitherto unidentified role for P protein in the viral RNA synthesis. Moreover, our results indicate a possible role for P protein in the transcription-replication switch through leader RNA binding.