Recent advances in understanding the replication initiator protein of the ssDNA plant viruses of the family Nanoviridae.

The families of viruses possessing single-stranded (ss) circular genome employ a dedicated replication initiator protein (Rep) for making copies of their genome through the process of rolling circle replication. The replication begins at conserved nonanucleotide sequence at the intergenic region. The Rep protein seems to be the most conserved amongst the available proteins of the nanovirids and comprises of the N-terminal endonuclease domain and the C-terminal helicase domain. The structural studies of Faba bean necrotic yellows virus endonuclease domain suggests a α + β fold comprising of central β sheet built from five antiparallel β strands surrounded by outer short α helices. The catalysis is mediated by a conserved Tyr residue and employs divalent metal ions (Mn2+). On one hand, the Reps associate with each other and oligomerize and on the other hand interact with varied host and vector associated proteins for successful infection. The sequence analysis of Reps from previously known nanovirids and the newly found ones from metagenomics data shed light on the evolutionary pattern of nanovirids in comparison to other plant infecting ssDNA viruses.