Structural Motifs and Biological Functions of RNA Viruses

200.7K

views

85

authors

23

articles

Structural Motifs and Biological Functions of RNA Viruses

200.7K

views

85

authors

23

articles

Editors

3

Encarna Martinez-Salas

Centre for Molecular Biology Severo Ochoa, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

Jean-Christophe Paillart

Université de Strasbourg

Alfredo Berzal-Herranz

Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

Impact

Fetching...

About

The diversity and versatility of RNA structural motifs is widely illustrated in RNA viruses. These viruses, with members such as hepatitis C virus, Dengue virus, or hantavirus, among many others, represent a current threat to human health. Also of great importance is the impact on animal and plant production, affecting many economic activities worldwide. In all cases, the viral genome comprises a very low number of genes. Hence, these viruses usurp the host cell machinery and at the same time, they exploit different mechanisms to evade the antiviral response.
Many viruses have evolved to meet this challenge by using their small genomic RNA in a multifunctional way: the RNA contains both the encoded genetic information and the structural signals that are required to interact with and manipulate host cell machinery. The impact of these structural motifs is highlighted by the critical functions contained in structured RNA elements, including the recruitment and manipulation of host cell factors, and the regulation of processes necessary for viral replication.

The biological relevance of these RNA motifs is evident in their high degree of structural conservation. In this research topic we welcome submissions of experts in the field to review a variety of functionally critical RNA structural features found in RNA viruses. The examples proposed in this Research Topic will allow the reader to gain a foundation of knowledge in regard to the diversity of structural motifs controlling RNA virus multiplication, as well as the current methods being used to study these RNAs. We encourage authors to comment not only on the current understanding of the relevant motif, but also on the open questions in knowledge that are likely to drive further experiments aimed at understanding these important RNA viruses.

Share

Editors

Encarna Martinez-Salas

Centre for Molecular Biology Severo Ochoa, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

Jean-Christophe Paillart

Université de Strasbourg

Alfredo Berzal-Herranz

Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

Impact

200,715 Total views

154,416 Article views

43,728 Article downloads

2,571 Topic views

Published In

Frontiers in Microbiology

Virology

Frontiers in Plant Science

Virology

About Frontiers Research Topics

With their unique mixes of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author.

Suggest a topic