DZNep-induced single point mutation (M236I) in poxviral 2’-O-methyltransferase enhances mRNA stability and translation efficiency

Poxviruses encode two highly conserved S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases for mRNA capping. While D1L facilitates translation via cap-0 formation, the role of VP39-mediated cap-1 modification has been canonically restricted to shield viral mRNA from cytoplasmic pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). Here, we uncover a novel function of VP39 by demonstrating that prolonged exposure to the SAM cycle inhibitor DZNep selected a virus escape mutant harbouring a point mutation (M236I) in VP39. VP39_mut bypasses S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH)-mediated feedback inhibition, enhancing 2’-O-methylation of viral transcripts and promoting their association with active translation machinery. Consequently, VP39_mut significantly improves viral protein translation, replicative fitness, and yields across species. Notably, VP39_mut-capped in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA exhibited ∼2.7-fold higher protein expression compared to VP39_wt, the standard tool for IVT applications. These findings reveal a unique resistance mechanism and provide critical insights into poxvirus mRNA biology while underscoring the potential of optimized VP39 for advancing mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccine production.