Epigenetic and epitranscriptomic regulation of viral replication

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Virology
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Eukaryotic gene expression is controlled by genomic elements and covalent modifications of chromatin and RNA.
• Epigenetic modifications on histones can inhibit or enhance gene expression and act as an antiviral defense against DNA viruses.
• Viruses employ strategies to overcome epigenetic silencing during replication or establish latency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review how host epigenetic and epitranscriptomic processes regulate viral gene expression.
• To explore viral mechanisms for modifying, avoiding, or utilizing these host processes.
• To identify chromatin and RNA modifications as potential antiviral targets.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic regulation of viral gene expression.
• Analysis of viral strategies in response to host epigenetic controls.
• Examination of the role of RNA modifications in viral gene expression.

Main Results:

• Histone modifications can repress viral gene expression, but viruses counteract this.
• Viruses utilize epigenetic silencing for latent infections.
• Epitranscriptomic modifications enhance viral gene expression (translation/stability) for both DNA and RNA viruses.

Conclusions:

• Both epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modifications play critical roles in viral gene expression.
• Viral manipulation of these host processes is key to their life cycle.
• Targeting chromatin and RNA modifications presents a promising avenue for antiviral drug development.