Exoribonuclease-resistant RNAs
Exoribonuclease-resistant RNAs (xrRNAs) are structured elements in the 3′ untranslated region of flavivirus genomes that stall the host 5′–3′ exoribonuclease Xrn1. The viral RNA downstream of the stall survives as subgenomic flaviviral RNA (sfRNA), which interferes with the antiviral response of the host. The resistance is mechanical: a ring-like fold with a pseudoknot closes over the 5′ end of the element and holds against the pulling enzyme.
Comparative studies of xrRNAs across mosquito-borne, tick-borne and insect-specific flaviviruses, the discovery of new variants in viruses from Zambia and in a novel African tick flavivirus, their conservation within tick-borne encephalitis virus, and recent work on designing mechanically active RNAs from scratch. The terms are defined in the glossary under xrRNA and sfRNA.
Rational design of mechanically active RNAs
This Nucleic Acids Research paper shows that synthetic xrRNAs can be designed from topological rules and validated experimentally as mechanically active RNAs.
A first look at rational design of mechanically active RNAs
A preprint-stage note on the design logic behind synthetic xrRNAs and mechanically active RNAs.
Functional RNAs in Virology Special Issue
A Viruses Special Issue on functional RNAs in virology, covering structured RNAs, RNA-protein interactions, and RNA-based regulation in viral infection.
3' UTR-biased siRNA production in an insect-specific flavivirus
A comparative analysis of vsiRNA profiles across insect-specific flaviviruses reveals unusually strong 3' UTR-biased siRNA production that is independent of sfRNA formation.
Xinyang flavivirus and a likely tick-only orthoflavivirus clade
Xinyang flavivirus defines a basal, likely tick-only orthoflavivirus clade and expands the comparative picture of vertebrate-independent flavivirus evolution.