Conformational Flexibility of the Dengue Virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Revealed by a Complex with an Inhibitor

We report a highly reproducible method to crystallize the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domain of dengue virus serotype 3 (DENV-3), allowing structure refinement to a 1.79-angstrom resolution and revealing amino acids not seen previously. We also present a DENV-3 polymerase/inhibitor cocrystal structure at a 2.1-angstrom resolution. The inhibitor binds to the RdRp as a dimer and causes conformational changes in the protein. The improved crystallization conditions and new structural information should accelerate structure-based drug discovery.