Genome cyclization as strategy for flavivirus RNA replication

Virus Res. 2009 Feb;139(2):230-9. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2008.07.016. Epub 2008 Sep 9.

Abstract

Long-range and local RNA-RNA contacts in viral RNA genomes result in tertiary structures that modulate the function of enhancers, promoters, and silencers during translation, RNA replication, and encapsidation. In the case of flaviviruses, the presence of inverted complementary sequences at the 5' and 3' ends of the genome mediate long-range RNA interactions and RNA cyclization. The circular conformation of flavivirus genomes was demonstrated to be essential for RNA amplification. New ideas about the mechanisms by which circular genomes participate in flavivirus replication have emerged in the last few years. Here, we will describe the latest information about cis-acting elements involved in flavivirus genome cyclization, RNA promoter elements required for viral polymerase recognition, and how these elements together coordinate viral RNA synthesis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • 5' Untranslated Regions
  • Base Sequence
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Flavivirus / genetics*
  • Flavivirus / physiology
  • Genome, Viral
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • RNA, Viral / biosynthesis*
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry*
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism
  • Virus Replication*

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • 5' Untranslated Regions
  • NS5 protein, flavivirus
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins