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Targeting mitotic chromosomes: a conserved mechanism to ensure viral genome persistence

Katherine M Feeney1, Joanna L Parish

  • 1Bute Medical School, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9TS, UK.

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|February 11, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Some viruses tether their circular DNA genomes to host chromosomes during cell division (mitosis) to prevent loss. This review discusses how different tumor viruses achieve this essential genome retention mechanism.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Extrachromosomal viral genomes in dividing cells risk loss during mitosis.
  • Mitosis involves nuclear envelope breakdown and chromosome segregation by the mitotic spindle.
  • Mechanisms for retaining viral episomes during mitosis are debated and potentially conserved.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and compare mechanisms of viral episome tethering to host chromosomes during mitosis.
  • To highlight similarities and differences in viral genome retention strategies.
  • To discuss evasion of host cell checkpoints by tumor viruses.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of research on viral genome retention during mitosis.
  • Comparative analysis of mechanisms employed by different tumor viruses.
  • Discussion of viral evasion of mitotic and DNA damage checkpoints.

Main Results:

  • Specific tumor viruses employ distinct strategies to tether episomal genomes to host chromosomes.
  • These mechanisms ensure viral genome persistence across host cell divisions.
  • Understanding these strategies sheds light on viral replication and persistence.

Conclusions:

  • Viral episome tethering to host chromosomes is crucial for genome retention during mitosis.
  • Diverse viruses utilize conserved and distinct mechanisms for this process.
  • This review consolidates current knowledge on viral strategies for mitotic genome stability.

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