Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

73.5K
Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
73.5K
The Replisome03:01

The Replisome

37.8K
DNA replication is carried out by a large complex of proteins that act in a coordinated matter to achieve high-fidelity DNA replication. Together this complex is known as the DNA replication machinery or the replisome.
The synthesis of the leading and lagging strands is a highly coordinated process. To explain this, the “Trombone model” was proposed by Bruce Alberts in 1980. The DNA loop formation starts when a primer is synthesized on the parent lagging strand. The loop grows with...
37.8K
The Replisome03:01

The Replisome

9.4K
9.4K
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

607
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...
607
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

558
Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
558
Leaky Scanning02:28

Leaky Scanning

5.5K
During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R...
5.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Structure and receptor recognition of type-II feline infectious peritonitis virus spike glycoprotein.

The EMBO journal·2026
Same author

Genomic and structural evidence of SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV in migratory birds.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Hemagglutinin double-mutation enhances binding of human-infecting avian influenza virus clade 2.3.4.4b H5Ny to human and SLe<sup>X</sup> receptors.

EMBO reports·2026
Same author

Localizing the Glycan Binding Sites of SARS-CoV-2 Receptor-Binding Domain.

Analytical chemistry·2026
Same author

Disease-stage-specific immunometabolic remodeling in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: a single-cell transcriptomic atlas of adenoid tissue.

EMBO molecular medicine·2026
Same author

Comparative Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis Revealed the Mechanism of Exogenous Salicylic Acid Improving the Cold Tolerance of Walnut.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus
09:08

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Published on: July 27, 2021

4.1K

Structural insight into arenavirus replication machinery.

Ruchao Peng1,2, Xin Xu2, Jiamei Jing1,2

  • 1CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.

Nature
|March 28, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers have determined the near-atomic structures of Lassa and Machupo virus polymerases. These findings reveal unique features and an inherently active state, crucial for understanding viral replication and developing new antiviral therapies.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Viral Replication Compartment-enriched Sub-nuclear Fractions from Adenovirus-infected Normal Human Cells
10:22

Isolation of Viral Replication Compartment-enriched Sub-nuclear Fractions from Adenovirus-infected Normal Human Cells

Published on: November 12, 2015

9.1K
Highly Sensitive Assay for Measurement of Arenavirus-cell Attachment
08:34

Highly Sensitive Assay for Measurement of Arenavirus-cell Attachment

Published on: March 2, 2016

10.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus
09:08

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Published on: July 27, 2021

4.1K
Isolation of Viral Replication Compartment-enriched Sub-nuclear Fractions from Adenovirus-infected Normal Human Cells
10:22

Isolation of Viral Replication Compartment-enriched Sub-nuclear Fractions from Adenovirus-infected Normal Human Cells

Published on: November 12, 2015

9.1K
Highly Sensitive Assay for Measurement of Arenavirus-cell Attachment
08:34

Highly Sensitive Assay for Measurement of Arenavirus-cell Attachment

Published on: March 2, 2016

10.0K

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Structural Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Arenaviruses, including Lassa and Machupo viruses, cause severe hemorrhagic fever and neurological diseases.
  • Viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases are essential for viral transcription and replication and represent key antiviral targets.
  • The structural basis of arenavirus polymerase function remained unknown prior to this study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the near-atomic resolution structures of Lassa and Machupo virus polymerases.
  • To elucidate the structural features and regulatory mechanisms of arenavirus polymerases.
  • To provide a structural foundation for the development of novel antiviral therapeutics.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography was employed to obtain near-atomic resolution structures.
  • Structures were determined for both apo (unbound) and promoter-bound forms of the polymerases.
  • Comparative structural analysis was performed with other viral polymerases.

Main Results:

  • The structures revealed a conserved overall architecture with unique local features, including an arenavirus-specific insertion domain.
  • The active site of arenavirus polymerase is inherently switched on, unlike influenza and bunyavirus polymerases that require allosteric activation.
  • Polymerase activity may be facilitated by dimerization.

Conclusions:

  • The determined structures provide unprecedented insights into arenavirus polymerase mechanism.
  • The unique structural features, particularly the inherently active polymerase, offer new avenues for antiviral drug design.
  • These findings are critical for advancing the understanding of arenavirus replication and combating public health threats.