Characterization of the chandipura virus leader RNA-phosphoprotein interaction using single tryptophan mutants and its detection in viral infected cells

► In vitro, rhabdoviral P protein-leader RNA interaction has been reported previously. ► Region around W135 may be involved in this interaction, and in the homodimerization of P. ► Leader RNA binding induces structural changes in the P protein. ► In vivo, leader RNA interacts with unphosphorylated P during the replication phase. ► P-leader RNA interaction may have a role in the replication to transcription switch.