The Structure and Function of Flavivirus Genes and Proteins
A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "General Virology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 103
Special Issue Editors
Interests: Dengue virus; Zika virus; flavivirus; Arboviruses; Wolbachia
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Flaviviruses are increasing in prevalence and expanding geographically. These viruses have evolved enhanced transmission potential by alternating infections between vertebrate hosts and arthropod vectors. The transmission cycle between humans and mosquitoes has been established for four dengue virus serotypes (DENV1-4), yellow fever virus (YFV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). Thus, understanding the functions of flavivirus proteins, encoded by the single-stranded 5’-capped positive-sense RNA genome, is critical. Three structural proteins (C, prM, and E) and seven non-structural proteins (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5), which are cleaved from a single polyprotein, are essential for viral replication. Further, the 5’ and 3’ terminal noncoding regions (UTR) of the genome play important roles in RNA replication.
Protein–protein, protein–RNA, and RNA–RNA interactions among viral and host components are crucial for efficient virus RNA replication and expression. The replacement of protein-coding genes by orthologs between flaviviruses—for example, swapping NS5 between DENV2 and DENV4—attenuates the replication of chimeric progeny. However, second-site mutations in interacting viral proteins, such as NS3 in the context of NS5 swapping, can restore the replication efficiency of chimeras. These findings highlight the importance of the structural integrity and functional interplay of viral proteins and genomes in flavivirus replication. A deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms could inform the development of effective antiviral strategies and interventions.
Dr. Tadahisa Teramoto
Dr. Kay Choi
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- flavivirus
- structural protein
- non-structural protein
- 5'UTR
- 3'UTR
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