Secondary Structure of Influenza A Virus Genomic Segment 8 RNA Folded in a Cellular Environment.
Int J Mol Sci
; 23(5)2022 Feb 23.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1700574
ABSTRACT
Influenza A virus (IAV) is a member of the single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) family of viruses. The most recent global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has shown the major threat that RNA viruses can pose to humanity. In comparison, influenza has an even higher pandemic potential as a result of its high rate of mutations within its relatively short (<13 kbp) genome, as well as its capability to undergo genetic reassortment. In light of this threat, and the fact that RNA structure is connected to a broad range of known biological functions, deeper investigation of viral RNA (vRNA) structures is of high interest. Here, for the first time, we propose a secondary structure for segment 8 vRNA (vRNA8) of A/California/04/2009 (H1N1) formed in the presence of cellular and viral components. This structure shows similarities with prior in vitro experiments. Additionally, we determined the location of several well-defined, conserved structural motifs of vRNA8 within IAV strains with possible functionality. These RNA motifs appear to fold independently of regional nucleoprotein (NP)-binding affinity, but a low or uneven distribution of NP in each motif region is noted. This research also highlights several accessible sites for oligonucleotide tools and small molecules in vRNA8 in a cellular environment that might be a target for influenza A virus inhibition on the RNA level.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
RNA, Viral
/
Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
/
Genome, Viral
/
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype
/
Nucleic Acid Conformation
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
English
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ijms23052452
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS