FIG. 3.

Mutagenesis of the 3′-terminal nucleotide (A) and the penultimate nucleotide (B) of the WN virus genome in the RlucRep-HDVr system. Depicted are replicons containing single or double mutations within the 3′-terminal 6 nt (numbered 1 to 6 from the 3′ end of the genome) and their putative base-pairing nucleotides (nt 74 to 79). Specific base pairs analyzed in panels A and B are shaded in the wild-type (WT) structure. For mutant replicons, the mutated nucleotides are indicated as solid ovals. The mutant replicons are named after their mutated position, mutated nucleotides (underlined), blockage of base pair (indicated by an “x”), and potential base pair (indicated by a —). BHK cells transfected with wild-type or mutant replicons were monitored for Rluc activity at 2.5 and 72 h posttransfection. The Rluc activities of mutant replicons are presented as percentages of the corresponding wild-type replicon signal. Representative results of IFAs, performed at 72 h posttransfection, are also presented. Results of one of three representative experiments are shown.