The 3' untranslated region of picornavirus RNA: features required for efficient genome replication

An RNA tertiary structure in the 3' untranslated region of enteroviruses is necessary for efficient replication.

RNA tertiary structures, such as pseudoknots, are known to be biologically significant in a number of virus systems. The 3' untranslated regions of the RNA genomes of all members of the Enterovirus genus of Picornaviridae exhibit a potential, pseudoknot-like, tertiary structure interaction of an unusual type. This is formed by base pairing between loop regions of two secondary structure domains...

A phylogenetically conserved hairpin-type 3' untranslated region pseudoknot functions in coronavirus RNA replication.

Secondary and tertiary structures in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of plus-strand RNA viruses have been postulated to function as control elements in RNA replication, transcription, and translation. Here we describe a 54-nucleotide (nt) hairpin-type pseudoknot within the 288-nt 3' UTR of the bovine coronavirus genome and show by mutational analysis of both stems that the pseudoknotted struct...

The 5'-untranslated regions of picornavirus RNAs contain independent functional domains essential for RNA replication and translation.

The role of the 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR) in the replication of enteroviruses has been studied by using a series of poliovirus type 3 (PV3) replicons containing the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene in which the 5'UTR was replaced by the 5'UTR of either coxsackievirus B4 or human rhinovirus 14 or composite 5'UTRs derived from sequences of PV3, human rhinovirus 14, coxsackievi...

Molecular events leading to picornavirus genome replication.

Glutathione is required for efficient production of infectious picornavirus virions.

Glutathione is an intracellular reducing agent that helps maintain the redox potential of the cell and is important for immune function. The drug L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) selectively inhibits glutathione synthesis. Glutathione has been reported to block replication of HIV, HSV-1, and influenza virus, whereas cells treated with BSO exhibit increased replication of Sendai virus. Pre-treatme...