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Translational control of viral gene expression in eukaryotes
1University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. mgale@mednet.swmed.edu
Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR
|June 6, 2000
Summary
Viruses hijack host cell translation for protein synthesis, evolving complex strategies to outcompete cellular messages. This intricate viral translation programming impacts host cell pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites requiring host cell machinery for protein synthesis.
- Viral messenger RNA (mRNA) competes with host cell transcripts for translation resources.
- Eukaryotic viruses have developed sophisticated mechanisms to ensure efficient translation of their own mRNA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse and complex translational programs utilized by eukaryotic viruses.
- To discuss how viral translational strategies are integrated into the virus life cycle.
- To examine the contribution of viral translational programming to host cell pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on viral translation mechanisms.
- Analysis of viral nucleic acid structures and host factor interactions.
- Examination of host antiviral countermeasures and viral responses.
Main Results:
- Viruses employ diverse strategies, including inherent nucleic acid structures and host factor manipulation, to prioritize viral mRNA translation.
- These viral strategies often occur at the expense of host cell protein synthesis.
- Viruses have evolved mechanisms to counteract host antiviral responses targeting the translational machinery.
Conclusions:
- Viral translational programming is a critical aspect of the virus life cycle and pathogenesis.
- Understanding these complex interactions is key to deciphering viral infection and host responses.
- Viral strategies for translational control highlight the dynamic interplay between viruses and their hosts.