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Viral tRNA Mimicry from a Biocommunicative Perspective.
Ascensión Ariza-Mateos1,2, Jordi Gómez1,3
1Laboratory of RNA Archaeology, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López Neyra" (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Granada, Spain.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|December 21, 2017
Summary
RNA viruses mimic host cell components like transfer RNA (tRNA) to survive. This study explores viral RNA mimicry of cellular mRNAs, suggesting a novel survival strategy and an ancient intracellular conflict.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- RNA viruses possess limited genomes, necessitating strategies to utilize host cell functions.
- Viral RNA genomes have long been known to mimic transfer RNA (tRNA).
- Recent findings reveal tRNA-like structures in human, bacterial, and yeast mRNAs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mimetic relationship between tRNA, cellular mRNA, and viral RNA.
- To explore viral mimicry of host defense mRNAs as a survival strategy.
- To hypothesize an ancestral intracellular conflict driving mRNA-tRNA mimicry.
Main Methods:
- Comparative sequence analysis of viral RNA and cellular RNA.
- Bioinformatic identification of tRNA-like structures in mRNA sequences.
- Theoretical modeling of viral mimicry and intracellular signaling.
Main Results:
- tRNA-like structures are present in human, bacterial, and yeast mRNAs, including interferon-alpha mRNA.
- Viral mimicry may target tRNA-like elements within specific mRNAs, expanding semiotic possibilities.
- Mimicking host defense mRNAs represents a potential viral survival mechanism.
Conclusions:
- mRNA mimicry of tRNA may indicate an ancient intracellular conflict involving invading mRNA species.
- Viral mimicry of host mRNAs, particularly defense-related ones, is a novel viral survival strategy.
- The context of viral entry alters the interpretation of mRNA's internal tRNA-like signals, potentially reverting them to ancestral meanings.
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