Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Viruses with RNA Genomes

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...

What are Viruses?

What are Viruses?

RNA Interference

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...

RNA Structure

RNA Structure

Overview
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...

RNA Stability

RNA Stability

Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...

RNA Splicing

RNA Splicing

Splicing is the process by which eukaryotic RNA is edited before its translation into protein. The RNA strand transcribed from eukaryotic DNA is called the primary transcript. The primary transcripts that become mRNAs are called precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains alternating sequences of exons and introns. Exons are nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, whereas introns are the non-coding regions. In RNA splicing, introns are removed and exons are bonded...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Accurate sequencing of DNA motifs able to form alternative (non-B) structures.

Genome research·2023

Same author

The Ups and Downs of an Out-of-the-Box Scientist with a Curious Mind.

Annual review of virology·2022

Same author

Evaluation of Virus-Free and Wild-Type Isolates of <i>Pseudogymnoascus destructans</i> Using a Porcine Ear Model.

mSphere·2022

Same author

RdRp or RT, That is the Question.

Molecular biology and evolution·2021

Same author

Sequencing error profiles of Illumina sequencing instruments.

NAR genomics and bioinformatics·2021

Same author

Phylogeographic analysis of Pseudogymnoascus destructans partitivirus-pa explains the spread dynamics of white-nose syndrome in North America.

PLoS pathogens·2021

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency

Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency

Published on: June 16, 2011

A 1,000-Year-Old RNA Virus.

Mahtab Peyambari¹, Sylvia Warner², Nicholas Stoler¹

¹Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Millennium Science Complex, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.

Journal of Virology

|October 12, 2018

Summary

Researchers discovered Zea mays chrysovirus 1, the oldest known plant virus, in 1,000-year-old maize cobs. This persistent virus shows minimal genetic change over a millennium of cultivation.

Keywords:

ancient tissue maize virus evolution

More Related Videos

Unbiased Deep Sequencing of RNA Viruses from Clinical Samples

Unbiased Deep Sequencing of RNA Viruses from Clinical Samples

Published on: July 2, 2016

Confocal Imaging of Double-Stranded RNA and Pattern Recognition Receptors in Negative-Sense RNA Virus Infection

Confocal Imaging of Double-Stranded RNA and Pattern Recognition Receptors in Negative-Sense RNA Virus Infection

Published on: January 26, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency

Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency

Published on: June 16, 2011

Unbiased Deep Sequencing of RNA Viruses from Clinical Samples

Unbiased Deep Sequencing of RNA Viruses from Clinical Samples

Published on: July 2, 2016

Confocal Imaging of Double-Stranded RNA and Pattern Recognition Receptors in Negative-Sense RNA Virus Infection

Confocal Imaging of Double-Stranded RNA and Pattern Recognition Receptors in Negative-Sense RNA Virus Infection

Published on: January 26, 2019

Area of Science:

Virology
Paleovirology
Ancient DNA analysis

Background:

Few RNA viruses have been recovered from archaeological contexts, with the oldest previously known dating to 750 years ago.
Plant viruses, particularly chrysoviruses, are known for persistent infections and long-term host association through mechanisms like seed transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the presence and characteristics of viruses in ancient maize samples.
To identify and characterize novel viruses from archaeological plant material.
To assess the evolutionary trajectory of plant viruses over extended periods.

Main Methods:

High-throughput sequencing (Illumina HiSeq 2000) of double-stranded RNA extracted from ancient maize cobs (ca. 1,000 CE).
Bioinformatic analysis for sequence assembly and identification of viral contigs.
Phylogenetic analysis and genome reconstruction of the novel virus.
RT-PCR amplification and sequencing of related viruses in modern maize.

Main Results:

Discovery of a novel double-stranded RNA virus, Zea mays chrysovirus 1, in 1,000-year-old maize cobs from Arizona.
Nearly complete viral genomes were reconstructed from three ancient samples, showing similarity to known chrysoviruses.
A closely related chrysovirus was identified in modern maize, exhibiting only ~3% nucleotide divergence from the ancient sequences over 1,000 years.

Conclusions:

Zea mays chrysovirus 1 represents the oldest documented plant virus, pushing back the timeline of known RNA virus discoveries in archaeological samples.
The low divergence rate suggests remarkable genetic stability of this persistent plant virus over a millennium of maize cultivation.
Ancient maize provides a valuable resource for understanding the long-term evolution and persistence of plant viruses.