The Host Factor AUF1 p45 Supports Flavivirus Propagation by Triggering the RNA Switch Required for Viral Genome Cyclization.

ABSTRACT: In previous studies, we showed that the cellular RNA-binding protein AUF1 supports the replication process of the flavivirus West Nile virus. Here we demonstrate that the protein also enables effective proliferation of dengue virus and Zika virus, indicating that AUF1 is a general flavivirus host factor. Further studies demonstrated that the AUF1 isoform p45 significantly stimulates the initiation of viral RNA replication and that the protein's RNA chaperone activity enhances the interactions of the viral 5'UAR and 3'UAR genome cyclization sequences. Most interestingly, we observed that AUF1 p45 destabilizes not only the 3'-terminal stem-loop (3'SL) but also 5'-terminal stem-loop B (SLB) of the viral genome. RNA structure analyses revealed that AUF1 p45 increases the accessibility of defin

SUBMITTER: Friedrich S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5827407 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature