Structural Studies of RNA Virus Replication

Dear Colleagues,

RNA viruses include a large number of pathogens infecting humans, animals and plants. They cause serious problems for human health and economics. Since the genome of these viruses is RNA, special mechanisms of RNA replication are encoded by the viral genome, which is not present in the host cell. The first step in the cycle of virus replication is entry of the host cell. Upon cell entry, viral proteins are produced and the RNA genome is amplified by the viral mechanism. Different RNA viruses may use different mechanisms to produce viral proteins. In positive strand RNA viruses, the viral genome may be directly translated by host ribosomes to synthesize viral proteins. In negative strand and double-stranded RNA viruses, mRNAs are first transcribed from the viral genome, followed by translation by host ribosomes. New virions are assembled to package the RNA genome by viral proteins to carry on further infection. There are extensive structural studies of each step in virus replication. They reveal the molecular details for these biochemical activities. These research efforts greatly facilitate the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines, which brings unprecedented benefits to our life.

Prof. Dr. Ming Luo
Guest Editor

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