Hexamer phasing governs transcription initiation in the 3′-leader of Ebola virus

Illustration of EBOV 3′-leader MG constructs in which the NP HP (turquoise-shaded area in the center) consisting of the TSS and spacer sequence was replaced with corresponding HP structures derived from the transcription reinitiation sites of internal EBOV genes. For the basic color coding and promoter structure, see legend to Figure 1B. Wild-type MG in the center: U residues that extend the PE2 hexamer phasing 3′ of nt −81 are shown in pink; G₋₇₅ interrupting UN₅ hexamer continuity is shown in boldface blue; (ins.) insertion; (del.) deletion; insertions and deletions are indicated as boxes. The peripheral mutant constructs are depicted accordingly, with residues disrupting UN₅ hexamer continuity highlighted in boldface blue as well.