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PurUUpurU: An Oligonucleotide Virulence Factor in RNA Viruses

Won J Sohn1, Gregory D Sloop2, Gheorghe Pop3

  • 1Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, USA.

Cureus
|October 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The oligonucleotide 5'-purine-uridine-uridine-purine-uridine-3' (purUUpurU) motif copy number in single-strand RNA (ssRNA) viral genomes correlates with disease severity. Higher purUUpurU content indicates greater virulence in viruses like RSV and Ebola.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The copy number of the 5 purine-uridine-uridine-purine-uridine-3 (purUUpurU) motif in viral genomes correlates with disease severity.
  • This motif has been observed in single-strand RNA (ssRNA) viruses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between purUUpurU content and virulence in various ssRNA viruses.
  • To assess the role of purUUpurU as a potential virulence factor across different ssRNA virus families.

Main Methods:

  • Quantified purUUpurU copy numbers in the genomes of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) subtypes A and B.
  • Determined purUUpurU content in Ebola, dengue, rabies, rhinovirus-A, poliovirus type 1, astrovirus, rubella, yellow fever, and measles viruses.
  • Analyzed viral nucleotide sequences from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

Main Results:

  • Genomic purUUpurU content positively correlated with the severity of acute illness in RSV subtypes and human ebolaviruses.
  • Rubella virus, associated with mild disease, exhibited the lowest purUUpurU content.
  • Ebola virus epidemics showed a correlation between case fatality rates and purUUpurU levels.

Conclusions:

  • The quantity of genomic purUUpurU acts as a virulence factor in ssRNA viruses.
  • Blood hyperviscosity is identified as a potential pathological mechanism.
  • Quantitative genomic analysis of purUUpurU can aid in assessing risks from emerging ssRNA viruses.
Keywords:
blood hyperviscositycytokinesebola virusinflammationinnate immunitypathogenesissingle-strand rna virus

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