Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), the first member of the arenavirus family to be isolated, is the causative agent of a zoonosis acquired from chronically viremic mice or hamsters. LCMV primarily infects wild mice and it is estimated that 5% of all wild mice carry LCMV. Mice can asymptomatically carry and shed the virus in saliva, urine and faeces. People and other animals become infected through contact with these secretions or by inhalation of dried particles from them. The clinical spectrum of acquired human LCMV infection ranges from inapparent and asymptomatic to, in rare instances, severely symptomatic, systemic, and fatal central nervous system (CNS) disease. Intrauterine LCMV infection has resulted in fetal or neonatal death, as well as hydrocephalus and chorioretinitis in infants.
Function:
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase which is responsible for replication and transcription of the viral RNA genome. During transcription, synthesizes 4 subgenomic RNAs, and assures their capping by a cap-snatching mechanism, in which cellular capped pre-mRNA are used to generate primers for viral transcription. The 3'-end of subgenomic mRNAs molecules are heterogeneous and not polyadenylated. The replicase function is to direct synthesis of antigenomic and genomic RNA which are encapsidated and non capped. As a consequence of the use of the same enzyme for both transcription and replication, these mechanisms need to be well coordinated. These processes may be regulated by proteins N and Z in a dose-dependent manner.
Subunit:
Homomultimerizes; the oligomeric structure is essential for the polymerase activity. Interacts with the nucleocapsid protein N. Interacts with protein Z; this interaction inhibits viral transcription and replication.
Subcellular Location:
Virion. Host cytoplasm.
Similarity:
Belongs to the arenaviridae RNA polymerase family.
Contains 1 RdRp catalytic domain.
SWISS:
P1448
Gene ID:
N/A
Database links:
UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: P1448
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