Segmented negative-strand RNA viruses and RIG-I: divide (your genome) and rule.

Segmented negative-strand RNA viruses and RIG-I: divide (your genome) and rule. Curr Opin Microbiol. 2014 Jun 12;20C:96-102 Authors: Weber M, Weber F Abstract The group of negative-stranded RNA viruses (NSVs) with a segmented genome comprises pathogens like influenza virus (eight segments), Rift Valley fever virus and Hantavirus (three segments), or Lassa virus (two segments). Partitioning the genome allows rapid evolution of new strains by reassortment. Each segment carries a short double-stranded (ds) 'panhandle' structure which serves as promoter. Similar dsRNA structures, however, represent the optimal ligand for RIG-I, a cytoplasmic pathogen sensor of the antiviral interferon response. Thus, segmenting a virus genome can entail an increased RIG-I sensitivity. Here, we outline the astonishingly diverse and efficient strategies by which segmented NSVs are compensating for the elevated number of RIG-I ligands in their genome. PMID: 24930021 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Current Opinion in Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Curr Opin Microbiol Source Type: research