Next Article in Journal
Differential Effect of the Deletion of African Swine Fever Virus Virulence-Associated Genes in the Induction of Attenuation of the Highly Virulent Georgia Strain
Next Article in Special Issue
Molecular Analysis of the Complete Genome of a Simian Foamy Virus Infecting Hylobates pileatus (pileated gibbon) Reveals Ancient Co-Evolution with Lesser Apes
Previous Article in Journal
Coxsackievirus-B4 Infection of Human Primary Pancreatic Ductal Cell Cultures Results in Impairment of Differentiation into Insulin-Producing Cells
Previous Article in Special Issue
Feline Foamy Virus is Highly Prevalent in Free-Ranging Puma concolor from Colorado, Florida and Southern California
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Review

Structural and Functional Aspects of Foamy Virus Protease-Reverse Transcriptase

by
Birgitta M. Wöhrl
Lehrstuhl Biopolymere, Universität Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany
Viruses 2019, 11(7), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/v11070598
Submission received: 12 June 2019 / Revised: 28 June 2019 / Accepted: 29 June 2019 / Published: 2 July 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spumaretroviruses)

Abstract

Reverse transcription describes the process of the transformation of single-stranded RNA into double-stranded DNA via an RNA/DNA duplex intermediate, and is catalyzed by the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase (RT). This event is a pivotal step in the life cycle of all retroviruses. In contrast to orthoretroviruses, the domain structure of the mature RT of foamy viruses is different, i.e., it harbors the protease (PR) domain at its N-terminus, thus being a PR-RT. This structural feature has consequences on PR activation, since the enzyme is monomeric in solution and retroviral PRs are only active as dimers. This review focuses on the structural and functional aspects of simian and prototype foamy virus reverse transcription and reverse transcriptase, as well as special features of reverse transcription that deviate from orthoretroviral processes, e.g., PR activation.
Keywords: foamy virus; protease; reverse transcriptase; RNase H; reverse transcription; antiviral drugs; resistance foamy virus; protease; reverse transcriptase; RNase H; reverse transcription; antiviral drugs; resistance
Graphical Abstract

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Wöhrl, B.M. Structural and Functional Aspects of Foamy Virus Protease-Reverse Transcriptase. Viruses 2019, 11, 598. https://doi.org/10.3390/v11070598

AMA Style

Wöhrl BM. Structural and Functional Aspects of Foamy Virus Protease-Reverse Transcriptase. Viruses. 2019; 11(7):598. https://doi.org/10.3390/v11070598

Chicago/Turabian Style

Wöhrl, Birgitta M. 2019. "Structural and Functional Aspects of Foamy Virus Protease-Reverse Transcriptase" Viruses 11, no. 7: 598. https://doi.org/10.3390/v11070598

APA Style

Wöhrl, B. M. (2019). Structural and Functional Aspects of Foamy Virus Protease-Reverse Transcriptase. Viruses, 11(7), 598. https://doi.org/10.3390/v11070598

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop