Segment-specific promoter activity for RNA synthesis in the genome of Oz virus, genus Thogotovirus

Oz virus (OZV), a tick-borne, six-segmented negative-strand RNA virus in the genus Thogotovirus, caused a fatal human infection in Japan in 2023. To investigate mechanisms of viral RNA synthesis, we developed an OZV minigenome assay used in mammalian cells. Comparisons of promoter activities across six segments revealed that Segment 5 exhibited markedly lower promoter activity. Unlike the other segments forming a "distal duplex", a double-strand RNA beginning at the 11th nucleotide on the 5 end and the 10th on the 3, Segment 5 partially lacks this feature. Introducing a mutation in Segment 5 distal duplex resulted in a substantial increase in promoter activity. Further, we examined the promoter structures of other viruses in the genus Thogotovirus using public database. Thogoto virus Segment 1 also partially lacks a base pair in the distal duplex. In six-segmented RNA viruses, promoter activities are varied, with notable differences in activities likely existing among segments. HighlightsO_LIA minigenome assay was developed to elucidate the RNA synthesis mechanism of Oz virus. C_LIO_LISegment 5 of the Oz virus exhibits significantly lower promoter activity compared to other segments. C_LIO_LIThe distal duplex region formed by double-strand RNA at the genomic ends is essential for Oz virus RNA synthesis. C_LIO_LIPromoter activities in six-segmented RNA viruses are inherently variable among segments. C_LI