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Functional long-range RNA-RNA interactions in positive-strand RNA viruses.
Beth L Nicholson1, K Andrew White1
1Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada.
Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|June 17, 2014
Summary
Long-range RNA-RNA interactions within positive-strand RNA virus genomes are crucial for viral activities. These genomic features directly influence gene expression and replication processes in these important pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Positive-strand RNA viruses are significant pathogens affecting humans, animals, and plants.
- These viruses possess single-stranded positive-sense RNA genomes.
- Interactions between distant RNA sequences within these genomes are increasingly recognized as vital for viral functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent insights into the structure and function of long-range intragenomic RNA-RNA interactions.
- To highlight the diverse roles of these interactions in viral gene expression and genome replication.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature.
- Analysis of structural and functional data on genomic RNA-RNA interactions.
- Discussion of implications for viral pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- Long-range intragenomic RNA-RNA interactions involve direct nucleotide base pairing.
- These interactions can span thousands of nucleotides within the viral genome.
- These genomic features play diverse roles in regulating viral gene expression and replication.
Conclusions:
- Long-range RNA-RNA interactions are critical determinants of positive-strand RNA virus biology.
- Understanding these interactions offers insights into viral pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
- Further research into the structure-function relationship of these genomic elements is warranted.
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