Chinese scientists reveal DNA replication mechanism of monkeypox virus for first

Monkeypox virus, a member of the Poxviridae family, has garnered significant attention due to its recent outbreaks outside of its endemic regions. The study by Chinese scientists, published in the journal Nature Communications, has shed light on a critical aspect of the virus's life cycle—DNA replication.

The research team led by Professor Wei Ji from the West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Professor Pei Yong of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, along with their collaborators, conducted a series of experiments to understand how the monkeypox virus replicates its DNA.

The team used a combination of biochemical assays, X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and molecular biology techniques to investigate the structure and function of the monkeypox virus DNA polymerase. This enzyme is essential for the virus to replicate its DNA, as it synthesizes new strands of DNA based on the template provided by the existing strand.

Their findings revealed that the monkeypox virus DNA polymerase shares structural similarities with other poxviruses but also exhibits unique features. The researchers identified key residues within the polymerase that are crucial for its activity and showed how these residues interact with other viral proteins to facilitate DNA replication.

Moreover, the study uncovered the mechanism by which the monkeypox virus DNA polymerase initiates DNA synthesis, which is a crucial step in the viral life cycle. The team demonstrated that the enzyme uses a primer binding protein (PBP) to bind to a short RNA primer, which serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis. This finding provides insights into how the virus hijacks host cellular machinery to replicate its DNA.

The discovery of the DNA replication mechanism of the monkeypox virus could pave the way for the development of antiviral drugs targeting this enzyme. Such drugs could potentially inhibit the replication of the virus, thereby reducing the severity and duration of monkeypox infections.

In conclusion, the study by Chinese scientists represents a significant advancement in our understanding of the monkeypox virus and could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies to combat this emerging infectious disease.