Complementarity, sequence and structural elements within the 3' and 5' non-coding regions of the Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus S segment determine promoter strength.

The genome of Bunyamwera virus (BUN; family Bunyaviridae) consists of three segments of negative-sense, single-stranded RNA that are called L (large), M (medium) and S (small), according to their size. The genomic RNAs are encapsidated by the viral nucleocapsid protein to form ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs). The terminal 3' and 5' non-coding sequences are complementary and interact to give a panhandle-like structure to the RNP. Located within these non-coding sequences are elements that control replication and transcription. The sequences of the terminal 11 nt are conserved among the genome segments and are followed by shorter, complementary nucleotide motifs that are conserved on a segment-specific basis. Here, a detailed analysis of the 3' and 5' non-coding regions of the BUN S segment is presented. By using a mini-replicon system, it was shown that a functional BUN S promoter requires complementarity, as well as defined sequences, within the terminal 15 nt of either end. It was also shown that the minimal requirement for transcription is localized within the terminal 32 nt of the S segment. A comparison of known strong BUN promoters led to the prediction of a structural element outside the terminal 15 nt; introduction of this motif into the BUN S sequence resulted in increased antigenome and mRNA levels and increased expression of S segment proteins, as shown by mini-replicon assays, as well as recovery of a recombinant virus.