A conserved Y-shaped RNA structure in the 3'UTR of chikungunya virus genome as a host-specialized element that modulates viral replication and evolution.

ABSTRACT: RNA viral genomes compact information into functional RNA structures. Here, using chikungunya virus as a model, we investigated the structural requirements of conserved RNA elements in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) for viral replication in mosquito and mammalian cells. Using structural predictions and co-variation analysis, we identified a highly stable and conserved Y-shaped structure (SLY) at the end of the 3'UTR that is duplicated in the Asian lineage. Functional studies with mutant viruses showed that the SLY has host-specific functions during viral replication and evolution. The SLY positively modulates viral replication in mosquito cells but has the opposite effect in mammalian cells. Additional structural/functional analyses showed that maintaining the Y-shaped fold and specifi

SUBMITTER: Bardossy ES 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10174580 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature