RNA-dependent RNA polymerase speed and fidelity are not the only determinants of the mechanism or efficiency of recombination

Hyejeong Kim; Victor D. Ellis; Andrew Woodman; Yan Zhao; Jamie J. Arnold; Craig E. Cameron

Undefined Recombination Fidelity Speed Figure 6 : The biochemical properties of the RdRp are inextricably linked and collectively determine biological outcomes. PV RdRp is among the most extensively studied enzyme both in cells and in test tubes (4). A vast majority of these studies have emphasized elaboration of mechanisms governing efficient incorporation of nucleotides (speed) with high specificity (fidelity). Whether or not speed is a consequence of fidelity, vice versa, or completely separable is not clear (17, 33, 52-54). However, these two parameters are linked to recombination efficiency. Moreover, the studies reported 5 herein point to the existence of a biochemical property other than speed and fidelity, referred to here as undefined, that contributes to recombination efficiency. Together, the observations reported herein demonstrate that the current state of the art precludes association of a single biochemical property to viral fitness, virulence, and/or pathogenesis.