Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Pages: 76-89

Journal: Virus Research

Volume number: 194

ISSN: 0168-1702

eISSN: 1872-7492

Open access status: Green

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2014.10.001

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
Coronavirus genome replication is mediated by a multi-subunit protein complex that is comprised of more than a dozen virally encoded and several cellular proteins. Interactions of the viral replicase complex with cis-acting RNA elements located in the 5' and 3'-terminal genome regions ensure the specific replication of viral RNA. Over the past years, boundaries and structures of cis-acting RNA elements required for coronavirus genome replication have been extensively characterized in betacoronaviruses and, to a lesser extent, other coronavirus genera. Here, we review our current understanding of coronavirus cis-acting elements located in the terminal genome regions and use a combination of bioinformatic and RNA structure probing studies to identify and characterize putative cis-acting RNA elements in alpha-coronaviruses. The study suggests significant RNA structure conservation among members of the genus Alphacoronavirus but also across genus boundaries. Overall, the conservation pattern identified for 5' and 3'-terminal RNA structural elements in the genomes of alpha- and betacoronaviruses is in agreement with the widely used replicase polyprotein-based classification of the Coronavirinae, suggesting co-evolution of the coronavirus replication machinery with cognate cis-acting RNA elements. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Harvard Citation style: Madhugiri, R., Fricke, M., Marz, M. and Ziebuhr, J. (2014) RNA structure analysis of alphacoronavirus terminal genome regions, Virus Research, 194, pp. 76-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2014.10.001

APA Citation style: Madhugiri, R., Fricke, M., Marz, M., & Ziebuhr, J. (2014). RNA structure analysis of alphacoronavirus terminal genome regions. Virus Research. 194, 76-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2014.10.001