Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra (IPBLN-CSIC), Av. Conocimiento 17, Armilla, 18016 Granada, Spain.
Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Apr 3;22(7):3738. doi: 10.3390/ijms22073738.
The genus comprises numerous, small, single positive-stranded RNA viruses, many of which are important human pathogens. To store all the information required for their successful propagation, flaviviruses use discrete structural genomic RNA elements to code for functional information by the establishment of dynamic networks of long-range RNA-RNA interactions that promote specific folding. These structural elements behave as true cis-acting, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and have essential regulatory roles in the viral cycle. These include the control of the formation of subgenomic RNAs, known as sfRNAs, via the prevention of the complete degradation of the RNA genome. These sfRNAs are important in ensuring viral fitness. This work summarizes our current knowledge of the functions performed by the genome conformations and the role of RNA-RNA interactions in these functions. It also reviews the role of RNA structure in the production of sfRNAs across the genus , and their existence in related viruses.
该属包含许多小的、单正链 RNA 病毒，其中许多是重要的人类病原体。为了存储成功繁殖所需的所有信息，黄病毒使用离散的结构基因组 RNA 元件，通过建立长距离 RNA-RNA 相互作用的动态网络来编码功能信息，从而促进特定的折叠。这些结构元件表现为真正的顺式作用、非编码 RNA（ncRNA），并在病毒周期中具有重要的调节作用。这些作用包括通过防止 RNA 基因组完全降解来控制亚基因组 RNA（称为 sfRNA）的形成。这些 sfRNA 对于确保病毒适应性很重要。这项工作总结了我们目前对基因组构象所执行功能的认识，以及 RNA-RNA 相互作用在这些功能中的作用。它还回顾了 RNA 结构在整个属中 sfRNA 产生中的作用，以及它们在相关病毒中的存在。
