Flipping the script: viral capitalization of RNA modifications.

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• RNA Biology

Background:

• Viral RNA plays multiple roles, including mRNA template, replication material, and progeny virion component.
• RNA modifications offer a regulatory layer for viral RNA, increasing functional genomic capacity.
• Modifications can influence interactions with host and viral proteins, impacting viral replication and evasion of host defenses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diverse mechanisms by which RNA viruses modify their RNA.
• To explore the specific, yet unknown, mechanisms of N6-methyladenosine acquisition in cytoplasmic RNA viruses.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of viral RNA modification mechanisms.
• Discussion of known and hypothesized pathways for RNA modification in viruses.
• Focus on N6-methyladenosine (m6A) as a key modification.

Main Results:

• Viral RNA modifications are diverse and crucial for viral life cycles.
• RNA modifications can enhance viral genomes and modulate protein interactions.
• The mechanism of N6-methyladenosine acquisition in cytoplasmic RNA viruses remains largely unknown.

Conclusions:

• RNA modifications are a critical regulatory mechanism for RNA viruses.
• Understanding these modifications, particularly m6A in cytoplasmic viruses, is essential for deciphering viral strategies.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the specific pathways for cytoplasmic RNA virus RNA modification.