Aminoacylation of Viral RNAs

Alphaviruses are positive-sense RNA arboviruses that are capable of causing severe disease in otherwise healthy individuals. There are many aspects of viral infection that determine pathogenesis and major efforts regarding the identification and characterization of virulence determinants have largely focused on the roles of the nonstructural and structural proteins. Nonetheless, the viral RNAs of the alphaviruses themselves play important roles in regard to virulence and pathogenesis. In particular, many sequences and secondary structures within the viral RNAs play an important part in the development of disease and may be considered important determinants of virulence. In this review article, we summarize the known RNA-based virulence traits and host:RNA interactions that influence alphaviral pathogenesis for each of the viral RNA species produced during infection. Overall, the viral RNAs produced during infection are important contributors to alphaviral pathogenesis and more research is needed to fully understand how each RNA species impacts the host response to infection as well as the development of disease.

Download Full-text

The stability of satellite viral RNAs in vivo and in vitro

Virology ◽

10.1016/0042-6822(79)90459-8 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 243-253 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

D.W. Mossop ◽

R.I.B. Francki

Keyword(s):

Viral Rnas ◽

The Stability

Download Full-text

A novel, multipartite, negative-strand RNA virus is associated with the ringspot disease of European mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia L.)

Journal of General Virology ◽

10.1099/vir.0.82715-0 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 88 (4) ◽

pp. 1337-1346 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

Nicole Mielke ◽

Hans-Peter Muehlbach

Keyword(s):

Rna Virus ◽

Plant Viruses ◽

Glycoprotein Precursor ◽

Structure Comparison ◽

Viral Rnas ◽

Pathogenic Virus ◽

Mountain Ash ◽

The Family ◽

European Mountain ◽

Novel Virus

Four RNAs from a new plant-pathogenic virus, which we have tentatively named European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus (EMARAV), were identified and sequenced completely. All four viral RNAs could be detected in previous double-stranded RNA preparations. RNA 1 (7040 nt) encodes a protein with similarity to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of different members of the Bunyaviridae, a family containing five genera with viruses infecting invertebrates, vertebrates and plants. RNA 2 (2335 nt) encodes a 75 kDa protein containing a conserved motif of the glycoprotein precursor of the genus Phlebovirus. Immunological detection indicated the presence of proteins with the expected size of the precursor and one of its processing products. The amino acid sequence of protein p3 (35 kDa) encoded by RNA 3 shows similarities to a putative nucleocapsid protein of two still unclassified plant viruses. The fourth viral RNA encodes a 27 kDa protein that has no significant homology to any known protein. As is typical for members of the family Bunyaviridae, the 5′ and 3′ ends of all viral RNAs are complementary, which allows the RNA to form a panhandle structure. Comparison of these sequences demonstrates a conserved terminal part of 13 nt, similar to that of the bunyaviral genus Orthobunyavirus. Despite the high agreement of the EMARAV genome with several characteristics of the family Bunyaviridae, there are a few features that make it difficult to allocate the virus to this group. It is therefore more likely that this plant pathogen belongs to a novel virus genus.

Download Full-text

Comparison of molecular weights of single-stranded viral RNAs by two empirical methods

Virology ◽

10.1016/0042-6822(73)90378-4 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. 183-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

J.M. Kaper ◽

H.E. Waterworth

Keyword(s):

Empirical Methods ◽

Viral Rnas ◽

Molecular Weights

Download Full-text