scholarly journals Role of conformational heterogeneity in ligand recognition by viral RNA molecules

Author(s):  
Lev Levintov ◽  
Harish Vashisth

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules are known to undergo conformational changes in response to various environmental stimuli including temperature, pH, and ligands. In particular, viral RNA molecules are a key example...

2020 ◽  
Vol 222 (8) ◽  
pp. 1329-1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Whui Fong ◽  
Nancy H L Leung ◽  
Jingyi Xiao ◽  
Daniel K W Chu ◽  
Samuel M S Cheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Backgrounds Influenza virus can survive on some surfaces, facilitating indirect person-to-person transmission. Methods We collected swab samples weekly from commonly touched surfaces in 7 kindergartens and primary schools during the 2017/2018 winter influenza season in Hong Kong. Results We detected influenza virus ribonucleic acid (RNA) in 12 of 1352 samples (<1%) collected from 7 of 11 classrooms (5 to 2 × 106 RNA copies/mL). Viral RNA was more frequently recovered from communal items inside classrooms such as bookshelves and doorknobs. Conclusions Surface contamination indicates the potential role of fomites in influenza virus transmission in schools. Communal items inside classrooms may cause greater potential risks of transmission during influenza epidemics.


1970 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Burke

Virus-induced interferon formation depends on the presence within the cell of a viral ribonucleic acid. This RNA may either be double stranded or, in certain cases, single stranded. The double-stranded RNA can be derived from a virus, such as reovirus, which contains this type of RNA, or it may be synthesized within the cell using viral single-stranded RNA as a template. Single-stranded RNA must possess a stable configuration in solution to be active, and certain viral RNA molecules appear to be active for this reason. The presence of this RNA triggers a derepression event, which is probably nuclear, by an unknown mechanism, and this is followed by the production of an interferon messenger RNA and its translation. Little is known of the derepression event or the events that follow it.


1970 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Hunt

Sequences of the polynucleotide chains of RNA found in the large and small ribosomal subunits of rabbit reticulocytes have been determined from the 3′-end by use of periodate oxidation and condensation with [3H]isoniazid and by stepwise degradation. By these methods the hexanucleotide sequences have been found as -pGpUpUpUpGpU for the 28S RNA and -pGpUpCpGpCpU for the 6S RNA of the large ribosomal subunit and the octanucleotide sequence -pGpApUpCpApUpUpA for the 18S rRNA of the small ribosomal subunit. These sequences are present in at least 70% of all the RNA molecules and are discussed in relation to the specific cleavage of rRNA from its precursors and the role of multiple cistrons for rRNA in the DNA of higher organisms. The feasibility of using the method for longer sequence determinations is discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Pedro Henrique Silva Santos ◽  
Úrsula Paula Renó Soci

Wang et al. [1], recently published in the Journal of Sports and Heath Science a review study entitled “MicroRNAs in heart and circulation during physical exercise” in which they summarize the regulatory role of small non-coding ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules, the microRNAs (miRNAs), related to physiopathology in cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular responses to physical exercise...


Author(s):  
Hideo Hayashi ◽  
Yoshikazu Hirai ◽  
John T. Penniston

Spectrin is a membrane associated protein most of which properties have been tentatively elucidated. A main role of the protein has been assumed to give a supporting structure to inside of the membrane. As reported previously, however, the isolated spectrin molecule underwent self assemble to form such as fibrous, meshwork, dispersed or aggregated arrangements depending upon the buffer suspended and was suggested to play an active role in the membrane conformational changes. In this study, the role of spectrin and actin was examined in terms of the molecular arrangements on the erythrocyte membrane surface with correlation to the functional states of the ghosts.Human erythrocyte ghosts were prepared from either freshly drawn or stocked bank blood by the method of Dodge et al with a slight modification as described before. Anti-spectrin antibody was raised against rabbit by injection of purified spectrin and partially purified.


2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 581-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Maroto ◽  
Yolanda Fernandez ◽  
Juan Ortin ◽  
Fernando Pelaez ◽  
M. Angerles Cabello

The NS1 protein is a nonstructural protein encoded by the influenza A virus. It is responsible for many alterations produced in the cellular metabolism upon infection by the virus and for modulation of virus virulence. The NS1 protein is able to perform a large variety of functions due to its ability to bind various types of RNA molecules, from both viral and nonviral origin, and to interact with several cell factors. With the aim of exploring whether the binding of NS1 protein to viral RNA (vRNA) could constitute a novel target for the search of anti-influenza drugs, a filter-binding assay measuring the specific interaction between the recombinant His-NS1 protein from influenza A virus and a radiolabeled model vRNA ( 32P-vNSZ) was adapted to a format suitable for screening and easy automation. Flashplate® technology (PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA), either in 96- or 384-well plates, was used. The Flashplate® wells were precoated with the recombinant His-NS1 protein, and the binding of His-NS1 to a 35S-vNSZ probe was measured. A pilot screening of a collection of 27,520 mixtures of synthetic chemical compounds was run for inhibitors of NS1 binding to vRNA. We found 3 compounds in which the inhibition of NS1 binding to vRNA, observed at submicromolar concentrations, was correlated with a reduction of the cytopathic effect during the infection of cell cultures with influenza virus. These results support the hypothesis that the binding of NS1 to vRNA could be a novel target for the development of anti-influenza drugs. ( Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2008:581-590)


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