Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 1, 2025
09:08
Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Published on: July 27, 2021
3.8K
Membrane architects: how positive-strand RNA viruses restructure the cell
Christopher John Neufeldt1, Mirko Cortese2
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
The Journal of General Virology
|August 17, 2022
Summary
Viruses create specialized cellular compartments called virus replication organelles (vROs) to efficiently replicate within host cells. This review explores vRO structure, biogenesis, and potential therapeutic targeting.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Virus infection necessitates viral and host factors for efficient replication.
- Viruses manipulate host cell structures to create specialized microenvironments, termed virus replication organelles (vROs).
- Positive-strand RNA viruses replicate and assemble within these membrane-associated vROs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current knowledge on the structure and biogenesis of vROs.
- To compare the morphology and function of vROs across diverse positive-strand RNA viruses.
- To discuss pharmaceutical interventions targeting vRO formation for antiviral strategies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of electron microscopy data from virus-infected cells.
- Comparative analysis of vRO morphology and function across different viral species.
- Review of recent literature on therapeutic targeting of vROs.
Main Results:
- vROs are categorized into invagination-forming (In-vRO) and protrusion-forming (Pr-vRO) types, often involving double-membrane vesicles (DMVs).
- Morphological similarities exist between vROs induced by genetically diverse positive-strand RNA viruses.
- vROs represent crucial cellular microenvironments supporting viral replication and assembly.
Conclusions:
- Understanding vRO structure and biogenesis is key to comprehending viral replication strategies.
- Comparative studies reveal conserved mechanisms in vRO formation across various viruses.
- Targeting vRO formation presents a promising therapeutic avenue for controlling virus infections.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
99
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...
99
00:56Viral Structure
63.3K
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.
63.3K
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
46.6K
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...
46.6K
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
119
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...
119
01:28Introduction to Virus
171
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...
171
00:57Viral Recombination
23.7K
Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
23.7K