Topological Organization of Picornaviral Genomes: Statistical Prediction of RNA Structural Signals

We have analyzed 11 picornaviral RNA genomic sequences by optimal and suboptimal minimum free energy folding algorithms. The systematic summation of all pairing partners for each base in the suboptimal structures (P-num value) shows a distinct pattern of alternating low and high values when plotted against the sequence length and indicate regions within each genome where secondary structure(s) are likely to play a significant role in virus biology. The individual folds augmented by data from phylogenetic folds, collectively suggest some revisions of existing models for 5′-untranslated regions of cardioviruses and enteroviruses that might better explain the functions of these regions.