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Ultrastructure of the replication sites of positive-strand RNA viruses

Christian Harak1, Volker Lohmann1

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 345, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.

Virology
|March 10, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Positive strand RNA viruses create replication factories within host cells, hijacking cellular membranes. This review explores how viruses manipulate membranes and host factors for viral RNA synthesis and replication.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Positive strand RNA viruses replicate in the cytoplasm, forming specialized compartments for viral RNA synthesis.
  • These replication factories concentrate viral replicase components and protect viral RNA from host immune responses.
  • Virus-induced membrane alterations, crucial for replication, are diverse and involve host factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how positive strand RNA viruses hijack cellular membranes to establish replication complexes.
  • To highlight the role of host cell factors in the formation of viral replication membranes.
  • To discuss the mechanisms by which viral proteins interact with and subvert host membranes and factors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on positive strand RNA virus replication.
  • Analysis of studies employing conventional and electron microscopy to visualize viral replication compartments.
  • Synthesis of findings on viral protein interactions with cellular membranes and host factors.

Main Results:

  • Viral proteins actively capture and remodel host cell membranes to create replication sites.
  • Specific host factors are essential for the biogenesis and function of these viral replication membranes.
  • Diverse morphotypes of membrane alterations are observed across different positive strand RNA viruses.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding viral hijacking of cellular membranes is key to comprehending viral replication strategies.
  • Host factors play a critical, multifaceted role in supporting viral replication complex formation.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the intricate interplay between viral proteins, host membranes, and cellular factors.
Keywords:
Host factorMembranePositive strand RNA virusRNA replicationRNA synthesisReplication factory

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