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Flavivirus RNA transactions from viral entry to genome replication
Mariano A Garcia-Blanco1, Subhash G Vasudevan2, Shelton S Bradrick3
1Programme of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Antiviral Research
|September 27, 2016
Summary
Dengue virus genomic RNA (gRNA) undergoes crucial structural changes and localization events within infected cells. Understanding these processes may reveal new targets for antiviral drug discovery.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Dengue virus genomic RNA (gRNA) is essential for viral replication, serving as a template for protein synthesis.
- The structural organization and cellular localization of dengue gRNA and its replication intermediates are not fully understood.
- Viral RNA structure and location are implicated in immune evasion and the recruitment of host/viral proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the transactions of dengue virus gRNA from entry to RNA synthesis.
- To explore potential antiviral targets based on gRNA's structural and localization dynamics.
- To contribute to the symposium on flavivirus drug discovery.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article, synthesizing existing research on dengue virus gRNA.
- Focuses on the structural and localization aspects of gRNA during the viral life cycle.
- Examines the roles of gRNA structure and location in viral processes.
Main Results:
- Dengue gRNA adopts unique structural features and localizes to specific cellular regions.
- These structural and localization properties are critical for viral translation and replication.
- gRNA transactions play roles in evading the host's innate immune response.
Conclusions:
- Understanding dengue gRNA's structural dynamics and cellular trafficking is key to flavivirus drug discovery.
- Potential antiviral strategies can be developed by targeting gRNA-mediated events.
- Further research into gRNA structure-function relationships may yield novel therapeutic interventions.
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