Exploring RNA G-quadruplex in the rabies virus genome and its potential against RABV infection.

ABSTRACT: Rabies virus (RABV) is a prototypical neurotropic RNA virus that can cause rabies with an almost 100% fatality rate. Despite great efforts having been made to identify an effective therapeutic target of rabies, the host factors involved in RABV infection and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. There are no effective drug targets for human rabies to date. Therefore, a better understanding of rabies pathogenesis and exploring new targets for antiviral treatments are crucial and urgent. In this study, we identify the presence of G-quadruplex (G4) in the RABV genome and uncover a novel role of G4 in RABV infection, in which stabilization of G4 can suppress G protein translation and viral replication. By systematic screening of 10 pairs of triplex metallohelices (designated as M

SUBMITTER: Zhang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12641424 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature