Nanoscale cellular organization of viral RNA and proteins in SARS-CoV-2 replication organelles.

ABSTRACT: The SARS-CoV-2 viral infection transforms host cells and produces special organelles in many ways, and we focus on the replication organelle where the replication of viral genomic RNA (vgRNA) occurs. To date, the precise cellular localization of key RNA molecules and replication intermediates has been elusive in electron microscopy studies. We use super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and specific labeling to reveal the nanoscopic organization of replication organelles that contain vgRNA clusters along with viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) clusters and the replication enzyme, encapsulated by membranes derived from the host endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We show that the replication organelles are organized differently at early and late stages of infection. Surprisingly, vgRNA accumulates

SUBMITTER: Andronov L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10659379 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature