Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026
12:20
Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses
Published on: December 29, 2015
How RNA viruses exchange their genetic material.
M Alejska1, A Kurzyńska-Kokorniak, M Broda
1Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań.
Acta Biochimica Polonica
|December 6, 2001
Summary
RNA recombination drives viral genetic variability, leading to new strains. This review details nonhomologous recombination in brome mosaic virus (BMV), a key model for understanding viral evolution.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- RNA viruses exhibit significant genetic variability, with RNA recombination being a crucial driver of new viral variants.
- RNA recombination is observed across diverse viral groups, including human, animal, plant, and bacterial viruses, highlighting its broad impact.
- Genetic RNA recombination, particularly nonhomologous recombination, is a significant factor in the emergence of novel viral strains and species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss current findings on nonhomologous recombination in brome mosaic virus (BMV).
- To address the limitations of existing models in explaining the role of RNA structure in BMV nonhomologous recombination.
- To leverage recent discoveries to fill knowledge gaps regarding nonhomologous recombination mechanisms in BMV.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing brome mosaic virus (BMV) as a model (+)RNA virus system for in vivo studies.
- Investigating homologous and nonhomologous recombination at both protein and RNA levels.
- Analyzing structural requirements for genetic RNA recombination based on BMV experimental data.
Main Results:
- BMV provides a unique system for studying homologous and nonhomologous recombination in vivo.
- Structural requirements for genetic RNA recombination have been precisely established in BMV.
- Recent advancements offer insights into the role of RNA structure in nonhomologous recombination within BMV.
Conclusions:
- Brome mosaic virus (BMV) is an exceptional model for dissecting the molecular mechanisms of RNA recombination.
- Understanding nonhomologous recombination in BMV is critical for explaining viral evolution and the emergence of new viral strains.
- Further research on BMV is essential to fully elucidate the role of RNA structure in nonhomologous recombination processes.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...
00:57Viral Recombination
Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
00:36Viral Mutations
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material for adaptive...
02:33Retroviruses
Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...