{"title":"3D Puzzle at the Nanoscale–How do RNA Viruses Self-Assemble their Capsids into Perfectly Ordered Structures","authors":"Martyna Kordys, Anna Urbanowicz","doi":"10.1002/mabi.202400088","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>The phenomenon of RNA virus self-organization, first observed in the mid-20th century in tobacco mosaic virus, is the subject of extensive research. Efforts to comprehend this process intensify due to its potential for producing vaccines or antiviral compounds as well as nanocarriers and nanotemplates. However, direct observation of the self-assembly is hindered by its prevalence within infected host cells. One of the approaches involves in vitro and in silico research using model viruses featuring a ssRNA(+) genome enclosed within a capsid made up of a single type protein. While various pathways are proposed based on these studies, their relevance in vivo remains uncertain. On the other hand, the development of advanced microscopic methods provide insights into the events within living cells, where following viral infection, specialized compartments form to facilitate the creation of nascent virions. Intriguingly, a growing body of evidence indicates that the primary function of packaging signals in viral RNA is to effectively initiate the virion self-assembly. This is in contrast to earlier opinions suggesting a role in marking RNA for encapsidation. Another noteworthy observation is that many viruses undergo self-assembly within membraneless liquid organelles, which are specifically induced by viral proteins.</p>","PeriodicalId":18103,"journal":{"name":"Macromolecular bioscience","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.4000,"publicationDate":"2024-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Macromolecular bioscience","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mabi.202400088","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The phenomenon of RNA virus self-organization, first observed in the mid-20th century in tobacco mosaic virus, is the subject of extensive research. Efforts to comprehend this process intensify due to its potential for producing vaccines or antiviral compounds as well as nanocarriers and nanotemplates. However, direct observation of the self-assembly is hindered by its prevalence within infected host cells. One of the approaches involves in vitro and in silico research using model viruses featuring a ssRNA(+) genome enclosed within a capsid made up of a single type protein. While various pathways are proposed based on these studies, their relevance in vivo remains uncertain. On the other hand, the development of advanced microscopic methods provide insights into the events within living cells, where following viral infection, specialized compartments form to facilitate the creation of nascent virions. Intriguingly, a growing body of evidence indicates that the primary function of packaging signals in viral RNA is to effectively initiate the virion self-assembly. This is in contrast to earlier opinions suggesting a role in marking RNA for encapsidation. Another noteworthy observation is that many viruses undergo self-assembly within membraneless liquid organelles, which are specifically induced by viral proteins.
期刊介绍:
Macromolecular Bioscience is a leading journal at the intersection of polymer and materials sciences with life science and medicine. With an Impact Factor of 2.895 (2018 Journal Impact Factor, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate Analytics, 2019)), it is currently ranked among the top biomaterials and polymer journals.
Macromolecular Bioscience offers an attractive mixture of high-quality Reviews, Feature Articles, Communications, and Full Papers.
With average reviewing times below 30 days, publication times of 2.5 months and listing in all major indices, including Medline, Macromolecular Bioscience is the journal of choice for your best contributions at the intersection of polymer and life sciences.