The role of surface basic amino acids of dengue virus NS3 helicase in viral RNA replication and enzyme activities.

Structure-based mutagenesis analysis on selected conserved surface basic residues of DENV NS3 helicase was performed using a selectable replicon and recombinant protein. We found a requirement for basic side chains of NS3 residues #225, #268, and #538 to activate viral RNA replication and ensure RNA-stimulated ATPase activity, and a critical role for R560 and R599 residues in maintaining NS3 helicase structure, linked to its biological function and catalytic activity. Three screened NS3 second-site mutations for R225A and R268A/E mutations elevated the functional RNA binding of NS3 helicase and compensated the replication defect of the original NS3 mutant replicons.