Inhibition and avoidance of mRNA degradation by RNA viruses

Poly(A) tale: From A to A; RNA polyadenylation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Most eukaryotic mRNAs and different non-coding RNAs undergo a form of 3' end processing known as polyadenylation. Polyadenylation machinery is present in almost all organisms except few species. In bacteria, the machinery has evolved from PNPase, which adds heteropolymeric tails, to a poly(A)-specific polymerase. Differently, a complex machinery for accurate polyadenylation and several non-canonical poly(A) polymerases are developed in eukaryotes. The role of poly(A) tail has also evolved from serving as a degradative signal to a stabilizing modification that also regulates translation. In this review, we discuss poly(A) tail emergence in prokaryotes and its development into a stable, yet dynamic feature at the 3' end of mRNAs in eukaryotes. We also describe how appearance of novel poly(A) polymerases gives cells flexibility to shape poly(A) tail. We explain how poly(A) tail dynamics help regulate cognate RNA metabolism in a context-dependent manner, such as during oocyte maturation. Finally, we describe specific mRNAs in metazoans that bear stem-loops instead of poly(A) tails. We conclude with how recent discoveries about poly(A) tail can be applied to mRNA technology. This article is categorized under: RNA Evolution and Genomics > RNA and Ribonucleoprotein Evolution RNA Processing > 3' End Processing RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability.

Diversity and modularity of tyrosine-accepting tRNA-like structures

Certain positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses contain elements at their 3' termini that structurally mimic tRNAs. These tRNA-like structures (TLSs) are classified based on which amino acid is covalently added to the 3' end by host aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. Recently, a cryoEM reconstruction of a representative tyrosine-accepting tRNA-like structure (TLSTyr) from brome mosaic virus (BMV) revealed a unique mode of recognition of the viral anticodon-mimicking domain by tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. Some viruses in the hordeivirus genus of Virgaviridae are also selectively aminoacylated with tyrosine, yet these TLS RNAs have a different architecture in the 5' domain that comprises the atypical anticodon loop mimic. Herein, we present bioinformatic and biochemical data supporting a distinct secondary structure for the 5' domain of the hordeivirus TLSTyr compared to those in Bromoviridae Despite forming a different secondary structure, the 5' domain is necessary to achieve robust in vitro aminoacylation. Furthermore, a chimeric RNA containing the 5' domain from the BMV TLSTyr and the 3' domain from a hordeivirus TLSTyr are aminoacylated, illustrating modularity in these structured RNA elements. We propose that the structurally distinct 5' domain of the hordeivirus TLSTyrs performs the same role in mimicking the anticodon loop as its counterpart in the BMV TLSTyr Finally, these structurally and phylogenetically divergent types of TLSTyr provide insight into the evolutionary connections between all classes of viral tRNA-like structures.

A protein-proximity screen reveals Ebola virus co-opts the mRNA decapping complex through the scaffold protein EDC4

The interaction of host and Ebola virus (EBOV) proteins is required for establishing infection of the cell. To identify protein binding partners, a proximity-dependent protein interaction screen was performed for six EBOV proteins. Hits were computationally mapped onto a human protein-protein interactome and then annotated with viral proteins to reveal known and previously undescribed EBOV-host protein interactions and processes. Importantly, this approach efficiently arranged proteins into functional complexes associated with single viral proteins. Focused characterization of interactions between EBOV VP35 and the mRNA decapping complex demonstrated that VP35 binds the scaffold protein EDC4 through the C-terminal subdomain, with each protein found associated in EBOV-infected cells. Mechanistically, depletion of three components of the complex each similarly inhibited viral replication by reducing early viral RNA synthesis. Overall, we demonstrate successful identification of EBOV protein interaction with entire cellular machines, providing a deeper understanding of replication mechanism for therapeutic intervention.

Elucidation of the Mechanism of Host NMD Suppression by HTLV-1 Rex: Dissection of Rex to Identify the NMD Inhibitory Domain

The human retrovirus human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1) infects human T cells by vertical transmission from mother to child through breast milk or horizontal transmission through blood transfusion or sexual contact. Approximately 5% of infected individuals develop adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) with a poor prognosis, while 95% of infected individuals remain asymptomatic for the rest of their lives, during which time the infected cells maintain a stable immortalized latent state in the body. It is not known why such a long latent state is maintained. We hypothesize that the role of functional proteins of HTLV-1 during early infection influences the phenotype of infected cells in latency. In eukaryotic cells, a mRNA quality control mechanism called nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) functions not only to eliminate abnormal mRNAs with nonsense codons but also to target virus-derived RNAs. We have reported that HTLV-1 genomic RNA is a potential target of NMD, and that Rex suppresses NMD and stabilizes viral RNA against it. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of NMD suppression by Rex using various Rex mutant proteins. We found that region X (aa20-57) of Rex, the function of which has not been clarified, is required for NMD repression. We showed that Rex binds to Upf1, which is the host key regulator to detect abnormal mRNA and initiate NMD, through this region. Rex also interacts with SMG5 and SMG7, which play essential roles for the completion of the NMD pathway. Moreover, Rex selectively binds to Upf3B, which is involved in the normal NMD complex, and replaces it with a less active form, Upf3A, to reduce NMD activity. These results revealed that Rex invades the NMD cascade from its initiation to completion and suppresses host NMD activity to protect the viral genomic mRNA.

Tricks and threats of RNA viruses - towards understanding the fate of viral RNA

Human innate cellular defence pathways have evolved to sense and eliminate pathogens, of which, viruses are considered one of the most dangerous. Their relatively simple structure makes the identification of viral invasion a difficult task for cells. In the course of evolution, viral nucleic acids have become one of the strongest and most reliable early identifiers of infection. When considering RNA virus recognition, RNA sensing is the central mechanism in human innate immunity, and effectiveness of this sensing is crucial for triggering an appropriate antiviral response. Although human cells are armed with a variety of highly specialized receptors designed to respond only to pathogenic viral RNA, RNA viruses have developed an array of mechanisms to avoid being recognized by human interferon-mediated cellular defence systems. The repertoire of viral evasion strategies is extremely wide, ranging from masking pathogenic RNA through end modification, to utilizing sophisticated techniques to deceive host cellular RNA degrading enzymes, and hijacking the most basic metabolic pathways in host cells. In this review, we aim to dissect human RNA sensing mechanisms crucial for antiviral immune defences, as well as the strategies adopted by RNA viruses to avoid detection and degradation by host cells. We believe that understanding the fate of viral RNA upon infection, and detailing the molecular mechanisms behind virus-host interactions, may be helpful for developing more effective antiviral strategies; which are urgently needed to prevent the far-reaching consequences of widespread, highly pathogenic viral infections.

From Gene to Protein-How Bacterial Virulence Factors Manipulate Host Gene Expression During Infection

Bacteria evolved many strategies to survive and persist within host cells. Secretion of bacterial effectors enables bacteria not only to enter the host cell but also to manipulate host gene expression to circumvent clearance by the host immune response. Some effectors were also shown to evade the nucleus to manipulate epigenetic processes as well as transcription and mRNA procession and are therefore classified as nucleomodulins. Others were shown to interfere downstream with gene expression at the level of mRNA stability, favoring either mRNA stabilization or mRNA degradation, translation or protein stability, including mechanisms of protein activation and degradation. Finally, manipulation of innate immune signaling and nutrient supply creates a replicative niche that enables bacterial intracellular persistence and survival. In this review, we want to highlight the divergent strategies applied by intracellular bacteria to evade host immune responses through subversion of host gene expression via bacterial effectors. Since these virulence proteins mimic host cell enzymes or own novel enzymatic functions, characterizing their properties could help to understand the complex interactions between host and pathogen during infections. Additionally, these insights could propose potential targets for medical therapy.

Morphology Remodeling and Selective Autophagy of Intracellular Organelles during Viral Infections

Viruses have evolved different strategies to hijack subcellular organelles during their life cycle to produce robust infectious progeny. Successful viral reproduction requires the precise assembly of progeny virions from viral genomes, structural proteins, and membrane components. Such spatial and temporal separation of assembly reactions depends on accurate coordination among intracellular compartmentalization in multiple organelles. Here, we overview the rearrangement and morphology remodeling of virus-triggered intracellular organelles. Focus is given to the quality control of intracellular organelles, the hijacking of the modified organelle membranes by viruses, morphology remodeling for viral replication, and degradation of intracellular organelles by virus-triggered selective autophagy. Understanding the functional reprogram and morphological remodeling in the virus-organelle interplay can provide new insights into the development of broad-spectrum antiviral strategies.

Synthesis and surface characterization of new triplex polymer of Ag(I) and mixture nucleosides: cytidine and 8-bromoguanosine

In this work one-dimensional (1D) triplex polymer of silver (I): mixture nucleosides of cytidine and 8-bromoguanosine was synthesised. The polymer showed high stability due to the presence Ag(I) ions in the structure of the polymer in addition to the stability that produces from the effect of Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding in the triplex CGC. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to investigate the morphology of the polymer. The AFM images revealed formation of nanofibres extending many microns in length with height in the range of 2-3 nm. Statistical analyses carried out to analyse the AFM images to determine the height of the loops that formed in the polymer. The data displayed that the height value was in the range between 10 nm to 15 nm. The data of TEM images were consistent with the data of AFM images by displaying a very long fibre. Gwyddion software program was used to investigate surface parameters (roughness and waviness), diameter (size distribution), and probability density of the fibre. The data showed that the diameter of the fibre was ∼0.4 nm.

Modified RNA triplexes: Thermodynamics, structure and biological potential

The occurrence of triplexes in vivo has been well documented and is determined by the presence of long homopurine-homopyrimidine tracts. The formation of these structures is the result of conformational changes that occur in the duplex, which allow the binding of a third strand within the major groove of the helix. Formation of these noncanonical forms by introducing synthetic triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) into the cell may have applications in molecular biology, diagnostics and therapy. This study focused on the formation of RNA triplexes as well as their thermal stability and biological potential in the HeLa cell line. Thermodynamics studies revealed that the incorporation of multiple locked nucleic acid (LNA) and 2-thiouridine (2-thioU) residues increased the stability of RNA triplexes. These data suggest that the number and position of the modified nucleotides within TFOs significantly stabilize the formed structures. Moreover, specificity of the interactions between the modified TFOs and the RNA hairpin was characterized using electrophoretic mobility-shift assay (EMSA), and triplex dissociation constants have been also determined. Finally, through quantitative analysis of GFP expression, the triplex structures were shown to regulate GFP gene silencing. Together, our data provide a first glimpse into the thermodynamic, structural and biological properties of LNA- and 2-thioU modified RNA triplexes.

Unconventional RNA-binding proteins step into the virus-host battlefront

The crucial participation of cellular RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) in virtually all steps of virus infection has been known for decades. However, most of the studies characterizing this phenomenon have focused on well‐established RBPs harboring classical RNA‐binding domains (RBDs). Recent proteome‐wide approaches have greatly expanded the census of RBPs, discovering hundreds of proteins that interact with RNA through unconventional RBDs. These domains include protein–protein interaction platforms, enzymatic cores, and intrinsically disordered regions. Here, we compared the experimentally determined census of RBPs to gene ontology terms and literature, finding that 472 proteins have previous links with viruses. We discuss what these proteins are and what their roles in infection might be. We also review some of the pioneering examples of unorthodox RBPs whose RNA‐binding activity has been shown to be critical for virus infection. Finally, we highlight the potential of these proteins for host‐based therapies against viruses.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA–Protein Complexes

Rous Sarcoma Virus RNA Stability Element Inhibits Deadenylation of mRNAs with Long 3'UTRs

All retroviruses use their full-length primary transcript as the major mRNA for Group-specific antigen (Gag) capsid proteins. This results in a long 3′ untranslated region (UTR) downstream of the termination codon. In the case of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), there is a 7 kb 3′UTR downstream of the gag terminator, containing the pol, env, and src genes. mRNAs containing long 3′UTRs, like those with premature termination codons, are frequently recognized by the cellular nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) machinery and targeted for degradation. To prevent this, RSV has evolved an RNA stability element (RSE) in the RNA immediately downstream of the gag termination codon. This 400-nt RNA sequence stabilizes premature termination codons (PTCs) in gag. It also stabilizes globin mRNAs with long 3′UTRs, when placed downstream of the termination codon. It is not clear how the RSE stabilizes the mRNA and prevents decay. We show here that the presence of RSE inhibits deadenylation severely. In addition, the RSE also impairs decapping (DCP2) and 5′-3′ exonucleolytic (XRN1) function in knockdown experiments in human cells.

Integration of mRNP formation and export

Expression of protein-coding genes in eukaryotes relies on the coordinated action of many sophisticated molecular machineries. Transcription produces precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs) and the active gene provides an environment in which the pre-mRNAs are processed, folded, and assembled into RNA–protein (RNP) complexes. The dynamic pre-mRNPs incorporate the growing transcript, proteins, and the processing machineries, as well as the specific protein marks left after processing that are essential for export and the cytoplasmic fate of the mRNPs. After release from the gene, the mRNPs move by diffusion within the interchromatin compartment, making up pools of mRNPs. Here, splicing and polyadenylation can be completed and the mRNPs recruit the major export receptor NXF1. Export competent mRNPs interact with the nuclear pore complex, leading to export, concomitant with compositional and conformational changes of the mRNPs. We summarize the integrated nuclear processes involved in the formation and export of mRNPs.

Attacked from All Sides: RNA Decay in Antiviral Defense

The innate immune system has evolved a number of sensors that recognize viral RNA (vRNA) to restrict infection, yet the full spectrum of host-encoded RNA binding proteins that target these foreign RNAs is still unknown. The RNA decay machinery, which uses exonucleases to degrade aberrant RNAs largely from the 5′ or 3′ end, is increasingly recognized as playing an important role in antiviral defense. The 5′ degradation pathway can directly target viral messenger RNA (mRNA) for degradation, as well as indirectly attenuate replication by limiting specific pools of endogenous RNAs. The 3′ degradation machinery (RNA exosome) is emerging as a downstream effector of a diverse array of vRNA sensors. This review discusses our current understanding of the roles of the RNA decay machinery in controlling viral infection.

TMV induces RNA decay pathways to modulate gene silencing and disease symptoms

RNA decay pathways comprise a combination of RNA degradation mechanisms that are implicated in gene expression, development and defense responses in eukaryotes. These mechanisms are known as the RNA Quality Control or RQC pathways. In plants, another important RNA degradation mechanism is the post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) mediated by small RNAs (siRNAs). Notably, the RQC pathway antagonizes PTGS by preventing the entry of dysfunctional mRNAs into the silencing pathway to avoid global degradation of mRNA by siRNAs. Viral transcripts must evade RNA degrading mechanisms, thus viruses encode PTGS suppressor proteins to counteract viral RNA silencing. Here, we demonstrate that tobacco plants infected with TMV and transgenic lines expressing TMV MP and CP (coat protein) proteins (which are not linked to the suppression of silencing) display increased transcriptional levels of RNA decay genes. These plants also showed accumulation of cytoplasmic RNA granules with altered structure, increased rates of RNA decay for transgenes and defective transgene PTGS amplification. Furthermore, knockdown of RRP41 or RRP43 RNA exosome components led to lower levels of TMV accumulation with milder symptoms after infection, several developmental defects and miRNA deregulation. Thus, we propose that TMV proteins induce RNA decay pathways (in particular exosome components) to impair antiviral PTGS and this defensive mechanism would constitute an additional counter-defense strategy that lead to disease symptoms.

A Tale of Two RNAs during Viral Infection: How Viruses Antagonize mRNAs and Small Non-Coding RNAs in The Host Cell

Viral infection initiates an array of changes in host gene expression. Many viruses dampen host protein expression and attempt to evade the host anti-viral defense machinery. Host gene expression is suppressed at several stages of host messenger RNA (mRNA) formation including selective degradation of translationally competent messenger RNAs. Besides mRNAs, host cells also express a variety of noncoding RNAs, including small RNAs, that may also be subject to inhibition upon viral infection. In this review we focused on different ways viruses antagonize coding and noncoding RNAs in the host cell to its advantage.

A glance at subgenomic flavivirus RNAs and microRNAs in flavivirus infections

The family Flaviviridae comprises a wide variety of viruses that are distributed worldwide, some of which are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. There are neither vaccines nor antivirals for most flavivirus infections, reinforcing the importance of research on different aspects of the viral life cycle. During infection, cytoplasmic accumulation of RNA fragments mainly originating from the 3' UTRs, which have been designated subgenomic flavivirus RNAs (sfRNAs), has been detected. It has been shown that eukaryotic exoribonucleases are involved in viral sfRNA production. Additionally, viral and human small RNAs (sRNAs) have also been found in flavivirus-infected cells, especially microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs were first described in eukaryotic cells and in a mature and functional state present as single-stranded 18-24 nt RNA fragments. Their main function is the repression of translation through base pairing with cellular mRNAs, besides other functions, such as mRNA degradation. Canonical miRNA biogenesis involves Drosha and Dicer, however miRNA can also be generated by alternative pathways. In the case of flaviviruses, alternative pathways have been suggested. Both sfRNAs and miRNAs are involved in viral infection and host cell response modulation, representing interesting targets of antiviral strategies. In this review, we focus on the generation and function of viral sfRNAs, sRNAs and miRNAs in West Nile, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis and yellow fever infections, as well as their roles in viral replication, translation and cell immune response evasion. We also give an overview regarding other flaviviruses and the generation of cellular miRNAs during infection.

Widespread 3'-end uridylation in eukaryotic RNA viruses

RNA 3′ uridylation occurs pervasively in eukaryotes, but is poorly characterized in viruses. In this study, we demonstrate that a broad array of RNA viruses, including mycoviruses, plant viruses and animal viruses, possess a novel population of RNA species bearing nontemplated oligo(U) or (U)-rich tails, suggesting widespread 3′ uridylation in eukaryotic viruses. Given the biological relevance of 3′ uridylation to eukaryotic RNA degradation, we propose a conserved but as-yet-unknown mechanism in virus-host interaction.

Specific binding of Fusarium graminearum Hex1 protein to untranslated regions of the genomic RNA of Fusarium graminearum virus 1 correlates with increased accumulation of both strands of viral RNA

The HEX1 gene of Fusarium graminearum was previously reported to be required for the efficient accumulation of Fusarium graminearum virus 1 (FgV1) RNA in its host. To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the production of FgHEX1 and the replication of FgV1 viral RNA, we conducted electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) with recombinant FgHex1 protein and RNA sequences derived from various regions of FgV1 genomic RNA. These analyses demonstrated that FgHex1 and both the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions of plus-strand FgV1 RNA formed complexes. To determine whether FgHex1 protein affects FgV1 replication, we quantified accumulation viral RNAs in protoplasts and showed that both (+)- and (-)-strands of FgV1 RNAs were increased in the over-expression mutant and decreased in the deletion mutant. These results indicate that the FgHex1 functions in the synthesis of both strands of FgV1 RNA and therefore in FgV1 replication probably by specifically binding to the FgV1 genomic RNA.

Virus-induced translational arrest through 4EBP1/2-dependent decay of 5'-TOP mRNAs restricts viral infection

The mosquito-transmitted bunyavirus, Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), is a highly successful pathogen for which there are no vaccines or therapeutics. Translational arrest is a common antiviral strategy used by hosts. In response, RVFV inhibits two well-known antiviral pathways that attenuate translation during infection, PKR and type I IFN signaling. Despite this, translational arrest occurs during RVFV infection by unknown mechanisms. Here, we find that RVFV infection triggers the decay of core translation machinery mRNAs that possess a 5'-terminal oligopyrimidine (5'-TOP) motif in their 5'-UTR, including mRNAs encoding ribosomal proteins, which leads to a decrease in overall ribosomal protein levels. We find that the RNA decapping enzyme NUDT16 selectively degrades 5'-TOP mRNAs during RVFV infection and this decay is triggered in response to mTOR attenuation via the translational repressor 4EBP1/2 axis. Translational arrest of 5'-TOPs via 4EBP1/2 restricts RVFV replication, and this increased RNA decay results in the loss of visible RNA granules, including P bodies and stress granules. Because RVFV cap-snatches in RNA granules, the increased level of 5'-TOP mRNAs in this compartment leads to snatching of these targets, which are translationally suppressed during infection. Therefore, translation of RVFV mRNAs is compromised by multiple mechanisms during infection. Together, these data present a previously unknown mechanism for translational shutdown in response to viral infection and identify mTOR attenuation as a potential therapeutic avenue against bunyaviral infection.

Virus-mediated compartmentalization of the host translational machinery

Viruses require the host translational apparatus to synthesize viral proteins. Host stress response mechanisms that suppress translation, therefore, represent a significant obstacle that viruses must overcome. Here, we report a strategy whereby the mammalian orthoreoviruses compartmentalize the translational machinery within virus-induced inclusions known as viral factories (VF). VF are the sites of reovirus replication and assembly but were thought not to contain ribosomes. It was assumed viral mRNAs exited the VF to undergo translation by the cellular machinery, and proteins reentered the factory to participate in assembly. Here, we used ribopuromycylation to visualize active translation in infected cells. These studies revealed that active translation occurs within VF and that ribosomal subunits and proteins required for translation initiation, elongation, termination, and recycling localize to the factory. Interestingly, we observed components of the 43S preinitiation complex (PIC) concentrating primarily at factory margins, suggesting a spatial and/or dynamic organization of translation within the VF. Similarly, the viral single-stranded RNA binding protein σNS localized to the factory margins and had a tubulovesicular staining pattern that extended a short distance from the margins of the factories and colocalized with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) markers. Consistent with these colocalization studies, σNS was found to associate with both eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit A (eIF3A) and the ribosomal subunit pS6R. Together, these findings indicate that σNS functions to recruit 43S PIC machinery to the primary site of viral translation within the viral factory. Pathogen-mediated compartmentalization of the translational apparatus provides a novel mechanism by which viruses might avoid host translational suppression.

Viruses lack biosynthetic capabilities and depend upon the host for protein synthesis. This dependence requires viruses to evolve mechanisms to coerce the host translational machinery into synthesizing viral proteins in the face of ongoing cellular stress responses that suppress global protein synthesis. Reoviruses replicate and assemble within cytoplasmic inclusions called viral factories. However, synthesis of viral proteins was thought to occur in the cytosol. To identify the site(s) of viral translation, we undertook a microscopy-based approach using ribopuromycylation to detect active translation. Here, we report that active translation occurs within viral factories and that translational factors are compartmentalized within factories. Furthermore, we find that the reovirus nonstructural protein σNS associates with 43S preinitiation complexes at the factory margins, suggesting a role for σNS in translation. Together, virus-induced compartmentalization of the host translational machinery represents a strategy for viruses to spatiotemporally couple viral protein synthesis with viral replication and assembly.

Presence of poly(A) and poly(A)-rich tails in a positive-strand RNA virus known to lack 3׳ poly(A) tails

Here we show that Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), a positive-strand RNA virus known to end with 3׳ tRNA-like structures, does possess a small fraction of gRNA bearing polyadenylate tails. Particularly, many tails are at sites corresponding to the 3׳ end of near full length gRNA, and are composed of poly(A)-rich sequences containing the other nucleotides in addition to adenosine, resembling the degradation-stimulating poly(A) tails observed in all biological kingdoms. Further investigations demonstrate that these polyadenylated RNA species are not enriched in chloroplasts. Silencing of cpPNPase, a chloroplast-localized polynucleotide polymerase known to not only polymerize the poly(A)-rich tails but act as a 3׳ to 5׳ exoribonuclease, does not change the profile of polyadenylate tails associated with TMV RNA. Nevertheless, because similar tails were also detected in other phylogenetically distinct positive-strand RNA viruses lacking poly(A) tails, such kind of polyadenylation may reflect a common but as-yet-unknown interface between hosts and viruses.

Cellular mRNA decay protein AUF1 negatively regulates enterovirus and human rhinovirus infections

To successfully complete their replication cycles, picornaviruses modify several host proteins to alter the cellular environment to favor virus production. One such target of viral proteinase cleavage is AU-rich binding factor 1 (AUF1), a cellular protein that binds to AU-rich elements, or AREs, in the 3' noncoding regions (NCRs) of mRNAs to affect the stability of the RNA. Previous studies found that, during poliovirus or human rhinovirus infection, AUF1 is cleaved by the viral proteinase 3CD and that AUF1 can interact with the long 5' NCR of these viruses in vitro. Here, we expand on these initial findings to demonstrate that all four isoforms of AUF1 bind directly to stem-loop IV of the poliovirus 5' NCR, an interaction that is inhibited through proteolytic cleavage of AUF1 by the viral proteinase 3CD. Endogenous AUF1 was observed to relocalize to the cytoplasm of infected cells in a viral protein 2A-driven manner and to partially colocalize with the viral protein 3CD. We identify a negative role for AUF1 in poliovirus infection, as AUF1 inhibited viral translation and, ultimately, overall viral titers. Our findings also demonstrate that AUF1 functions as an antiviral factor during infection by coxsackievirus or human rhinovirus, suggesting a common mechanism that targets these related picornaviruses.

A genome-wide RNAi screen reveals that mRNA decapping restricts bunyaviral replication by limiting the pools of Dcp2-accessible targets for cap-snatching

Bunyaviruses are an emerging group of medically important viruses, many of which are transmitted from insects to mammals. To identify host factors that impact infection, we performed a genome-wide RNAi screen in Drosophila and identified 131 genes that impacted infection of the mosquito-transmitted bunyavirus Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). Dcp2, the catalytic component of the mRNA decapping machinery, and two decapping activators, DDX6 and LSM7, were antiviral against disparate bunyaviruses in both insect cells and adult flies. Bunyaviruses 5' cap their mRNAs by "cap-snatching" the 5' ends of poorly defined host mRNAs. We found that RVFV cap-snatches the 5' ends of Dcp2 targeted mRNAs, including cell cycle-related genes. Loss of Dcp2 allows increased viral transcription without impacting viral mRNA stability, while ectopic expression of Dcp2 impedes viral transcription. Furthermore, arresting cells in late S/early G2 led to increased Dcp2 mRNA targets and increased RVFV replication. Therefore, RVFV competes for the Dcp2-accessible mRNA pool, which is dynamically regulated and can present a bottleneck for viral replication.

RNA: the new revolution in nucleic acid vaccines

Nucleic acid vaccines have the potential to address issues of safety and effectiveness sometimes associated with vaccines based on live attenuated viruses and recombinant viral vectors. In addition, methods to manufacture nucleic acid vaccines are suitable as generic platforms and for rapid response, both of which will be very important for addressing newly emerging pathogens in a timely fashion. Plasmid DNA is the more widely studied form of nucleic acid vaccine and proof of principle in humans has been demonstrated, although no licensed human products have yet emerged. The RNA vaccine approach, based on mRNA and engineered RNA replicons derived from certain RNA viruses, is gaining increased attention and several vaccines are under investigation for infectious diseases, cancer and allergy. Human clinical trials are underway and the prospects for success are bright.