Viruses, Vol. 13, Pages 2172: RNA Binding Proteins as Pioneer Determinants of Infection: Protective, Proviral, or Both?

Viruses, Vol. 13, Pages 2172: RNA Binding Proteins as Pioneer Determinants of Infection: Protective, Proviral, or Both?
Viruses doi: 10.3390/v13112172
Authors:
Samantha Lisy
Katherine Rothamel
Manuel Ascano

As the first intracellular host factors that directly interact with the genomes of RNA viruses, RNA binding proteins (RBPs) have a profound impact on the outcome of an infection. Recent discoveries brought about by new methodologies have led to an unprecedented ability to peer into the earliest events between viral RNA and the RBPs that act upon them. These discoveries have sparked a re-evaluation of current paradigms surrounding RBPs and post-transcriptional gene regulation. Here, we highlight questions that have bloomed from the implementation of these novel approaches. Canonical RBPs can impact the fates of both cellular and viral RNA during infection, sometimes in conflicting ways. Noncanonical RBPs, some of which were first characterized via interactions with viral RNA, may encompass physiological roles beyond viral pathogenesis. We discuss how these RBPs might discriminate between an RNA of either cellular or viral origin and thus exert either pro- or antiviral effects—which is a particular challenge as viruses contain mechanisms to mimic molecular features of cellular RNA.

Source: Viruses - October 28, 2021 Category: Virology Authors: Samantha Lisy Katherine Rothamel Manuel Ascano Tags: Review Source Type: research