An evolutionary approach to identify #mammalian adaptive #mutations in the avian #influenza #polymerase complex, https://etidiohnew.blogspot.com/2025/10/an-evolutionary-approach-to-identify.html

#Polymerase #mutations underlie early #adaptation of #H5N1 #influenza virus to dairy #cattle and other #mammals, https://etidiohnew.blogspot.com/2025/08/polymerase-mutations-underlie-early.html

A portable low-cost #Arduino-controlled #OpenSource #polymerase chain reaction device:

-4-well aluminum heating block
-heated lid
-heating/cooling rates: 1.78/1.52 °C/s
- temp. accuracy: ± 0.55 °C
-cost: US $120
-requires #MATLAB

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00635
#DIYbio #lab #instruments #PCR #DNA

#Influenza A virus #polymerase co-opts distinct sets of host proteins for #RNA transcription or #replication, https://etidiohnew.blogspot.com/2025/06/influenza-virus-polymerase-co-opts.html

#Polymerase #mutations underlie #adaptation of #H5N1 #influenza virus to dairy #cattle and other #mammals. https://etidiohnew.blogspot.com/2025/01/polymerase-mutations-underlie.html

#Replication #Restriction of #Influenza #H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b Viruses by #Human Immune Factor, 2023–24, Emerg Infect Dis.: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/1/24-1236_article

We show that human myxovirus resistance protein 1 (MxA) suppresses replication of influenza H5N1 viruses isolated from #mammals in vitro and in MxA-transgenic mice. However, H5N1 can evade MxA restriction through replacement of individual viral #polymerase complex components from a human-adapted MxA-resistant strain in vitro.

#VirID: Beyond Virus #Discovery - An Integrated #Platform for Comprehensive #RNA #Virus Characterization, BioRxIV: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.07.05.602175v2

We developed VirID, a #software tool specifically designed for discovery & characterization of RNA viruses from #metagenomic data. Basis of VirID is a comprehensive RNA-dependent RNA #polymerase (RdRP) database to enhance a workflow that includes RNA virus discovery, phylogenetic analysis, and phylogeny-based virus characterization.

A three-way #interface of the #Nipah virus phosphoprotein X-domain coordinates #polymerase movement along the viral genome, J Virol.: https://journals.asm.org/doi/abs/10.1128/jvi.00986-24?af=R

These results define a conserved molecular principle regulating #paramyxovirus polymerase dynamics and illuminate a promising druggable target for the structure-guided development of broad-spectrum polymerase inhibitors.

2 #aminoacid residues in N-terminal region of #polymerase acidic protein determine #virulence of Eurasian avian-like #H1N1 swine #influenza viruses in mice, J Virol.: https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/jvi.01293-24?af=R

We identified that 2 naturally occurring aa mutations in PA derived from #H1N1/2009 are crucial determinants of virulence of rEA H1N1 viruses & revealed differential mechanism by which these 2 mutations affect transcription & replication of vRNA.

Enhanced Diversifying #Selection on #Polymerase Genes in #H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b: A Key Driver of Altered #Species #Tropism and #Host Range Expansion, BioRxIV: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.19.606826v1?rss=1

the polymerase genes #PB2, #PB1, and #PA exhibit significantly greater selection pressures in clade 2.3.4.4b than in all the earlier H5N1 virus clades. Polymerases play critical roles in influenza virus adaptation, including viral fitness, interspecies transmission, and virulence.

#Mechanism of Co-Transcriptional #Cap-Snatching by #Influenza #Polymerase, BioRxIV: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.11.607481v1

Influenza virus #mRNA is stable and competent for nuclear export and translation because it re-ceives a 5′ cap(1) structure in a process called cap-snatching1. During cap-snatching, the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (FluPol) binds to host RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and the emerging transcript.

#Synergistic activity of an #RNA #polymerase PA-PB1 interaction #inhibitor with #oseltamivir vs #human & avian #influenza viruses in #cell culture & in ovo, Antiviral Res.: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016635422400189X?via%3Dihub

The PA-PB1 interaction inhibitor '54' acts synergistically with oseltamivir vs influenza A & B. '54' & oseltamivir combined at low doses inhibit viral progeny production & proteins expression in cell culture. 54 inhibits avian influenza replication both in cell culture & in embryonated chicken eggs.

I am not even sure if #ChatGPT's second answer about #DNA #polymerase is correct or not; with conventional search engines I could only find one statement on a post on the SEQanswers forum, in which another statement about the strand-displacement activity of the enzyme was wrong…

Researcher I

Southern Illinois University

The Department of Physiology within the SIU School of Medicine seeks applicants for a Researcher I position.

See the full job description on jobRxiv: https://jobrxiv.org/job/southern-illinois-university-27778-researcher-i/?feed_id=79302

#molecular_biology #mouse_models #physiology #polymerase #research #ScienceJobs #hiring #research
https://jobrxiv.org/job/southern-illinois-university-27778-researcher-i/?feed_id=79302

new citation:

`In this review, we examine DNA polymerases at the molecular level, their biotechnological use, and their evolutionary methods in relation to the novel properties sought, providing a chronological selection of evolved #DNA polymerases cited in the literature that we consider to be of great interest. To our knowledge, this work is the first to bring together the molecular, functional and evolutionary aspects of the DNA #polymerase #enzyme.`

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813024047299?via%3Dihub

6/n In addition to the above shown examples for #MolecularMachines, here a few more #molecules we presented in #AugmentedReality at #IdeenExpo: #Tubulin-stathmin complex, #antibody, #nucleosome particle, #SARSCoV2 #polymerase.
#DIYbio #MINT #STEM #chem #AR #education #TiltFive

Researcher I

Southern Illinois University

The Department of Physiology within the SIU School of Medicine seeks applicants for a Researcher I position.

See the full job description on jobRxiv: https://jobrxiv.org/job/southern-illinois-university-27778-researcher-i/?feed_id=78812

#molecular_biology #mouse_models #physiology #polymerase #research #ScienceJobs #hiring #research
https://jobrxiv.org/job/southern-illinois-university-27778-researcher-i/?feed_id=78812

new citation:

`The sulfolobus 7-kDa protein (Sso7d) emerges as a standout fusion domain, imparting significant improvements in PB-Bst processivity.... By disclosing the intricate dynamics in exonuclease activity, strand displacement, and artificial nucleotide-based processivity at specific functional sites, our findings not only advance the fundamental understanding of psychrophilic polymerases but also provide novel insights into polymerase engineering.`

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1406722/full

#polymerase

I'm happy to report that I've seen radically improved efficiency of the excellent NEB #Q5 DNA #polymerase for DNA amplification when using the following home-made reagent :-)

Extra-magic PCR buffer (10X recipe):
• 0.5M TrisHCl pH 8.9
• 0.1M Ammonium Sulphate
• 0.3M KCl
• 20 mM MgCl2
• 0.1% Tween 20

This is of course, anecdotal evidence based on a few pairs of long primers and using #genomic DNA as template. The cloned PCR fragments were clean of mutations. #diy

#Detection of #influenza #H3N2 viruses with #polymerase acidic subunit #substitutions after & prior to #baloxavir marboxil #treatment during the 2022-23 influenza season in Japan, Antiviral Res.: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166354224001657?via%3Dihub

2 viruses harboring PA/I38T (0.8%) prior to antiviral treatment were observed. 8 viruses with PA variants (14.8%) appeared after baloxavir administration. Duration of fever & symptoms between patients with & without PA #variants after baloxavir treatment & not differ.