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Updated: Jul 24, 2025

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Investigating the correlation between Xrn1-resistant RNAs and frameshifter pseudoknots
Ivar W Dilweg1, Megan G Oskam1, Sophie Overbeek1
1Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
RNA Biology
|July 4, 2023
Summary
The coremin motif in viral RNA can cause ribosomal frameshifting and resist degradation by the Xrn1 enzyme. This study reveals that Xrn1-resistant RNAs universally promote frameshifting, but Xrn1 resistance involves more than just frameshifting pseudoknots.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- RNA Biology
Background:
- Xrn1-resistant RNA structures are vital for many RNA viruses.
- The coremin motif, found in plant viruses, is hypothesized to be a pseudoknot and can stall both Xrn1 and ribosomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the coremin motif's role in ribosomal frameshifting.
- To explore the relationship between Xrn1 resistance and frameshifting.
- To identify novel Xrn1-resistant RNAs using a frameshifting screen.
Main Methods:
- Randomizing the coremin motif to create a frameshifting screen.
- Analyzing Xrn1 resistance and frameshifting capabilities of RNA variants.
- Investigating the Xrn1-resistant RNA of Zika virus.
Main Results:
- The coremin motif promotes -1 ribosomal frameshifting, similar to known viral frameshifting pseudoknots.
- Xrn1-resistant variations of the coremin motif suggest a pseudoknot structure.
- The Xrn1-resistant RNA of Zika virus also promotes frameshifting.
- Known -1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting pseudoknots do not stall Xrn1.
Conclusions:
- Promoting ribosomal frameshifting appears to be a common feature of Xrn1-resistant RNAs.
- Xrn1 resistance in viral RNAs requires more complex structural elements than a simple frameshifting pseudoknot.
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