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Coronavirus takeover of host cell translation and intracellular antiviral response: a molecular perspective

Evangelos D Karousis1,2, Katharina Schubert3, Nenad Ban4

  • 1Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

The EMBO Journal
|January 10, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Coronaviruses hijack host cells to replicate, shutting down our own protein production. Understanding viral translation control is key to developing new antiviral therapies against these respiratory viruses.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Coronaviruses cause respiratory diseases in humans and animals.
  • Viral translation is a critical step in the coronavirus life cycle.
  • Understanding translation regulation is vital for antiviral therapy development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss viral strategies for controlling host cell translation during infection.
  • To highlight the role of non-structural protein 1 (Nsp1) in Betacoronavirus translation suppression.
  • To explore viral RNA features that evade host defenses and ensure viral replication.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of existing research on coronavirus translation mechanisms.
  • Analysis of viral non-structural protein 1 (Nsp1) functions.
  • Examination of viral RNA elements and their roles in translation regulation.

Main Results:

  • Coronaviruses employ diverse strategies to manipulate host translation.
  • Betacoronaviruses, particularly through Nsp1, effectively shut down host protein synthesis.
  • Unique viral RNA features facilitate programmed ribosomal frameshifting, RNA editing, and evasion of translation shutdown.

Conclusions:

  • Viral translation control is a complex process crucial for coronaviral pathogenesis.
  • Targeting viral translation mechanisms, especially Nsp1 activity, offers potential therapeutic avenues.
  • Further research into viral RNA features can reveal novel strategies for combating coronavirus infections.
Keywords:
CoronavirusesSARS-CoV-2TranslationTranslation regulationViral protein synthesis

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