Importance of tyrosine in the RNA-binding domain of human parainfluenza virus type 2 nucleoprotein for polymerase activity.

The RNA genome of human parainfluenza virus type 2 (hPIV2) is encapsidated by nucleoprotein (NP) to act as a template for RNA synthesis. We examined the importance of individual amino acids in the RNA-binding domain of hPIV2 NP for polymerase activity using a mini-replicon assay. We showed that substitution of tyrosine at amino acid position 260, located in the RNA-binding pocket of NP, severely reduced polymerase activity. The aromatic side-chain of Y260 may be required for the formation of stable contacts between nucleotides and basic amino acids, thereby affecting promoter recognition by the viral polymerase.