An RNA pseudoknot is required for production of yellow fever virus subgenomic RNA by the host nuclease XRN1.

ABSTRACT: Cells and mice infected with arthropod-borne flaviviruses produce a small subgenomic RNA that is colinear with the distal part of the viral 3'-untranslated region (UTR). This small subgenomic flavivirus RNA (sfRNA) results from the incomplete degradation of the viral genome by the host 5'-3' exonuclease XRN1. Production of the sfRNA is important for the pathogenicity of the virus. This study not only presents a detailed description of the yellow fever virus (YFV) sfRNA but, more importantly, describes for the first time the molecular characteristics of the stalling site for XRN1 in the flavivirus genome. Similar to the case for West Nile virus, the YFV sfRNA was produced by XRN1. However, in contrast to the case for other arthropod-borne flaviviruses, not one but two sfRNAs were detected i

SUBMITTER: Silva PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2953177 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature