African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a complex nucleocytoplasmic large DNA virus (NCLDV) that causes a devastating
swine disease and it is urgently needed to develop effective anti-ASFV
vaccines and drugs. The process of
mRNA 5'-end capping is a common characteristic in eukaryotes and many viruses, and the cap structure is required for mRNA stability and efficient translation. The ASFV
protein pNP868R was found to have
guanylyltransferase (
GTase) activity involved in
mRNA capping. Here we report the crystal structure of pNP868R
methyltransferase (MTase) domain (referred as pNP868RMT) in complex with
S-adenosyl-L-methionine (
AdoMet). The structure shows the characteristic core fold of the class I MTase family and the
AdoMet is bound in a negative-deep groove. Remarkably, the N-terminal extension of pNP868RMT is ordered and keeps away from the
AdoMet-binding site, distinct from the close conformation over the active site of poxvirus
RNA capping D1 subunit or the largely disordered conformation in most cellular
RNA capping MTases. Structure-based mutagenesis studies based on the pNP868RMT-cap analog complex model revealed essential residues involved in substrate recognition and binding. Functional studies suggest the N-terminal extension may play an essential role in substrate recognition instead of
AdoMet-binding. A positively charged path stretching from the N-terminal extension to the region around the active site was suggested to provide a favorable electrostatic environment for the binding and approaching of substrate
RNA into the active site. Our structure and biochemical studies provide novel insights into the methyltransfer process of
mRNA cap catalyzed by pNP868R.IMPORTANCE
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious hemorrhagic
viral disease in pigs that is caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). There are no effective drugs or
vaccines for protection against ASFV
infection till now. The
protein pNP868R was predicted to be responsible for process of
mRNA 5'-end capping in ASFV, which is essential for mRNA stability and efficient translation. Here, we solved the high-resolution crystal structure of the
methyltransferase (MTase) domain of pNP868R. The MTase domain structure shows a canonical class I MTase family fold and the
AdoMet binds into a negative pocket. Structure-based mutagenesis studies revealed critical and conserved residues involved in
AdoMet-binding and substrate
RNA-binding. Notably, both the conformation and the role in MTase activities of the N-terminal extension are distinct from those of previously characterized poxvirus MTase domain. Our structure-function studies provide the basis for potential anti-ASFV inhibitor design targeting the critical
enzyme.