Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

12:20
Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses
Published on: December 29, 2015
CVB translation: lessons from the polioviruses.
1Department of Molecualr Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|March 25, 2008
Summary
Coxsackievirus and poliovirus gene expression relies on translation control. This review details how viruses manipulate host translation, impacting viral replication and disease.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Coxsackievirus translation and replication research benefits from poliovirus studies.
- Enteroviruses control gene expression at the translation level.
- Viral infection alters host mRNA access to protein synthesis machinery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in enterovirus translational control.
- To compare coxsackievirus translational mechanisms with poliovirus.
- To explore the translational basis of viral phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of poliovirus and coxsackievirus research.
- Analysis of viral modification of translation factors.
- Examination of internal ribosome entry site (IRES) function.
Main Results:
- Viral translation is largely controlled by internal ribosome entry sites (IRES).
- Viruses modify host translation factors to shut off host protein synthesis and promote viral translation.
- Differences in translational control contribute to coxsackievirus tissue specificity and neurovirulence.
Conclusions:
- Translational control is a key mechanism for enterovirus replication and pathogenesis.
- Understanding viral translation offers insights into host-pathogen interactions.
- Further research into coxsackievirus-specific translational strategies is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Viruses 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...
Cytomegalovirus Disease
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Size 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...
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria
Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a virus that...
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly
As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...

