8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase1 recognizes oxidatively-generated epitranscriptomic marks on nascent mRNAs to promote RSV replication

Abstract Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection induces an oxidizing environment linked to increased viral load, expression of pro-inflammatory genes, and excessive lung inflammation. The mechanisms of how reactive oxygen species (ROS) promotes viral gene expression have remained largely elusive. Here we show that nascent (n)RNAs of RSV acquire 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxo(r)Gua) -a covalently modified guanine base in their 5’-UTR peritranscriptionally, while paired with the 3’-terminus of viral gene(s). 8-oxo(r)Gua is bound by 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase1 (OGG1), a complex that physically interacts with and recruits the anti-terminator protein M2-1 to increase viral gene transcription. Knockdown of OGG1 (but not other DNA glycosylases) or inhibition of its binding, significantly decreased RSV mRNA, protein levels and yield of progeny in cultured cells and airways. Collectively, these data suggest that Gua oxidation in vRNA, serves as an epitranscriptomic mark that repurposes OGG1 to increase lytic viral replication. Pharmacological inhibition of OGG1 binding to the epitranscriptomic mark could have clinical utility to decrease manifestations of RSV infection.