A poxvirus protein forms a complex with left-handed Z-DNA: Crystal structure of a Yatapoxvirus Zα bound to DNA

A conserved feature of poxviruses is a protein, well characterized as E3L in vaccinia virus, that confers IFN resistance on the virus. This protein comprises two domains, an N-terminal Z-DNA-binding protein domain (Zα) and a C-terminal double-stranded RNA-binding domain. Both are required for pathogenicity of vaccinia virus in mice infected by intracranial injection. Here, we describe the crystal structure of the Zα domain from the E3L-like protein of Yaba-like disease virus, a Yatapoxvirus, in a complex with Z-DNA, solved at a 2.0-Å resolution. The DNA contacting surface of Yaba-like disease virus Zα_E3L closely resembles that of other structurally defined members of the Zα family, although some variability exists in the β-hairpin region. In contrast to the Z-DNA-contacting surface, the nonbinding surface of members of the Zα family are unrelated; this surface may effect protein-specific interactions. The presence of the conserved and tailored Z-DNA-binding surface, which interacts specifically with the zigzag backbone and syn base diagnostic of the Z-form, reinforces the importance to poxvirus infection of the ability of this protein to recognize the Z-conformation.