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P bodies, stress granules, and viral life cycles

Carla J Beckham1, Roy Parker

  • 1Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0206, USA.

Cell Host & Microbe
|April 15, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs) dynamically shift between cellular locations like polysomes, stress granules, and P bodies. This movement impacts translation, degradation, and viral infection dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs) exist in a dynamic equilibrium, localizing to different subcellular compartments.
  • Translating mRNAs are found in polysomes, while stalled or repressed mRNAs accumulate in stress granules and P bodies, respectively.
  • mRNA localization influences translation rates and degradation pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the functional significance of mRNA partitioning between polysomes, stress granules, and P bodies.
  • To investigate the role of host proteins within P bodies and stress granules in viral infections.
  • To explore the accumulation of viral RNAs and proteins in these specific cellular compartments.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of mRNA localization dynamics within eukaryotic cells.
  • Investigation of protein-RNA interactions in P bodies and stress granules.
  • Examination of viral RNA and protein presence in these cellular structures.

Main Results:

  • mRNA partitioning between polysomes, stress granules, and P bodies critically affects translation and degradation.
  • Host proteins in P bodies and stress granules modulate viral infection outcomes.
  • Certain viral RNAs and proteins are observed to accumulate within P bodies and/or stress granules.

Conclusions:

  • The dynamic localization of mRNAs is a key regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic gene expression.
  • P bodies and stress granules serve as critical hubs influencing the interplay between host factors and viral life cycles.
  • Emerging evidence highlights a significant connection between these cellular compartments and viral pathogenesis.

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