Viral inosine triphosphatase: A mysterious enzyme with typical activity, but an atypical function

Plant viruses typically have highly condensed genomes, yet the plant-pathogenic Cassava brown streak virus, Ugandan cassava and Euphorbia ringspot virus are unusual in encoding an enzyme not found any other “house-cleaning” inosine triphosphatase. Inosine triphosphatases (ITPases) conserved enzymes that occur all kingdoms of life perform a house-cleaning function by hydrolysing noncanonical nucleotide triphosphate to monophosphate. The ITPases encoded been characterized biochemically shown typical ITPase activity. However, their biological role infection has be elucidated. Here we review what is known viral-encoded speculate on potential roles with aim generating greater understanding viruses, group world's most devastating viruses.