Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Curr Opin Microbiol. 2024 Jun;79:102483. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102483. Epub 2024 May 8.
Coronaviruses have exceptionally large RNA genomes and employ multiprotein replication/transcription complexes to orchestrate specific steps of viral RNA genome replication and expression. Most of these processes involve viral cis-acting RNA elements that are engaged in vital RNA-RNA and/or RNA-protein interactions. Over the past years, a large number of studies provided interesting new insight into the structures and, to a lesser extent, functions of specific RNA elements for representative coronaviruses, and there is evidence to suggest that (a majority of) these RNA elements are conserved across genetically divergent coronavirus genera. It is becoming increasingly clear that at least some of these elements do not function in isolation but operate through complex and highly dynamic RNA-RNA interactions. This article reviews structural and functional aspects of cis-acting RNA elements conserved in alpha- and betacoronavirus 5'- and 3'-terminal genome regions, focusing on their critical roles in viral RNA synthesis and gene expression.
冠状病毒具有特别大的 RNA 基因组，并利用多蛋白复制/转录复合物来协调病毒 RNA 基因组复制和表达的特定步骤。这些过程大多涉及病毒顺式作用 RNA 元件，这些元件参与重要的 RNA-RNA 和/或 RNA-蛋白相互作用。在过去的几年中，大量的研究为代表性冠状病毒的特定 RNA 元件的结构提供了有趣的新见解，并且有证据表明（大多数）这些 RNA 元件在遗传上不同的冠状病毒属之间是保守的。越来越明显的是，这些元件中的至少一些不是孤立起作用的，而是通过复杂和高度动态的 RNA-RNA 相互作用起作用的。本文综述了α-和β-冠状病毒 5'-和 3'-末端基因组区域中保守的顺式作用 RNA 元件的结构和功能方面，重点介绍了它们在病毒 RNA 合成和基因表达中的关键作用。
