Sobemovirus RNA linked to VPg over a threonine residue

Positive sense ssRNA virus genomes from several genera have a viral protein genome-linked (VPg) attached over a phosphodiester bond to the 5′ end of the genome. The VPgs of Southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV) and Ryegrass mottle virus (RGMoV) were purified from virions and analyzed by mass spectrometry. SBMV VPg was determined to be linked to RNA through a threonine residue at position one, whereas RGMoV VPg was linked to RNA through a serine also at the first position. In addition, we identified the termini of the corresponding VPgs and discovered three and seven phosphorylation sites in SBMV and RGMoV VPgs, respectively. This is the first report on the use of threonine for linking RNA to VPg.

► RNA of SBMV is linked to VPg through threonine.
► First characterization of VPg–RNA linkage over threonine.
► RNA of RGMoV is linked to VPg through serine.
► VPgs of sobemoviruses SBMV and RGMoV are phosphorylated.