Dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses are important human pathogens belonging to the Flaviviridae family of RNA viruses. DENV is known to infect around 390 million people around the world annually [1], while ZIKV causes numerous diseases including microcephaly in infants [2]. Currently, limited treatments and vaccines are available and novel strategies and targets are urgently needed to develop therapeutics to treat these diseases. To achieve this, it is important to understand host factors and how they interact with DENV and ZIKV genomes during the viral life cycle.
ReadKeywords: dengue; RNA structure; RNA–protein interactions; virus packaging
ReadSARS-CoV-2 is a major threat to global health. Here, we investigate the RNA structure and RNA-RNA interactions of wildtype (WT) and a mutant (Δ382) SARS-CoV-2 in cells using Illumina and Nanopore platforms. We identify twelve potentially functional structural elements within the SARS-CoV-2 genome, observe that subgenomic RNAs can form different structures, and that WT and Δ382 virus genomes fold differently.
ReadDifferent strains within a dengue serotype (DENV1-4) can have smooth, or “bumpy” surface morphologies with different antigenic characteristics at average body temperature (37°C). We determined the neutralizing properties of a serotype cross-reactive human monoclonal antibody (HMAb) 1C19 for strains with differing morphologies within the DENV1 and DENV2 serotypes.
ReadThe ability of DENV2 to display different morphologies (hence different antigenic properties) complicates vaccine and therapeutics development. Previous studies showed most strains of laboratory adapted DENV2 particles changed from smooth to “bumpy” surfaced morphology when the temperature is switched from 29°C at 37°C.
ReadDengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses are clinically important members of the Flaviviridae family with an 11 kb positive strand RNA genome that folds to enable virus function. Here, we perform structure and interaction mapping on four DENV and ZIKV strains inside virions and in infected cells. Comparative analysis of SHAPE reactivities across serotypes nominates potentially functional regions that are highly structured, conserved, and contain low synonymous mutation rates.
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