Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Fluorescence in situ Hybridizations FISH for the Localization of Viruses and Endosymbiotic Bacteria in Plant and Insect Tissues
10:38

Fluorescence in situ Hybridizations FISH for the Localization of Viruses and Endosymbiotic Bacteria in Plant and Insect Tissues

Published on: February 24, 2014

23.7K

Honeybee Iflaviruses Pack Specific tRNA Fragments from Host Cells in Their Virions

Anna Šimonová1,2, Veronika Romanská1, Barbora Benoni1,2

  • 1Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic.

Chembiochem : a European Journal of Chemical Biology
|June 30, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Picornavirales viruses, including iflaviruses, were found to pack fragmented transfer RNAs (tRNAs) with unique methylation patterns, challenging previous assumptions about viral RNA content.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • RNA Modifications

Background:

  • Picornavirales viruses infect a wide range of hosts, including vertebrates, insects, and plants.
  • These viruses were previously thought to package only their genomic messenger RNA (mRNA).
  • This made them potential models for studying mRNA modifications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the RNA composition and modifications within Picornavirales viral particles.
  • To compare RNA modifications between iflaviruses and picornaviruses.
  • To identify and characterize any non-genomic RNA molecules present in viral particles.

Main Methods:

  • Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to analyze digested RNA from viral particles.
  • RNA sequencing was employed to map specific methylated nucleosides.
  • Comparative analysis of RNA content from iflaviruses (sacbrood and deformed wing viruses) and picornaviruses (echovirus 18 and rhinovirus 2).

Main Results:

  • Picornavirus RNAs contained N6-methyladenosine and 2'-O-methylated nucleosides.
  • Iflavirus RNAs exhibited a broader range of methylated nucleosides, including 1-methyladenosine (m1A) and 5-methylcytidine (m5C).
  • Mapping revealed that m1A and m5C modifications were exclusively located on transfer RNA (tRNA) fragments within iflaviruses.

Conclusions:

  • Iflaviruses selectively package 3' and 5' fragments of modified tRNAs.
  • The presence and selective packaging of tRNA fragments challenge the notion that Picornavirales only package genomic mRNA.
  • These findings highlight novel RNA packaging strategies and modifications in plant and insect-infecting viruses.
Keywords:
LC-MSPicornaviralesRNA methylationhuman Echovirus 18human rhinovirus type 2tRNA fragments

More Related Videos

Detection of Viral RNA by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization FISH10:16

Detection of Viral RNA by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization FISH

Published on: May 5, 2012

38.8K
Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses12:20

Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses

Published on: December 29, 2015

21.5K

Related Concept Videos

Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

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...
110
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
46.7K
Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

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.
63.4K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
910
Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
12.7K
Introduction to Virus01:28

Introduction to Virus

Viruses are unique biological entities that blur the boundary between living and non-living systems. Although they lack cellular structure and metabolic processes, they can exhibit characteristics of life when infecting a host. Their defining feature is a nucleic acid core, composed of either DNA or RNA, encapsulated within a protein coat called a capsid. This simple structure allows them to invade host cells and use their machinery for replication efficiently.Viral Structure and...
191