RNA Biology (Dec 2023)

Structural diversity and biological role of the 5’ untranslated regions of picornavirus

  • Tingyu Peng,
  • Fayu Yang,
  • Fan Yang,
  • Weijun Cao,
  • Haixue Zheng,
  • Zixiang Zhu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/15476286.2023.2240992
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 1
pp. 548 – 562

Abstract

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The genomic arrangement of most picornavirus of the Picornaviridae family shares a similar monocistronic genomic pattern and a defining organizational feature. A defining feature of picornavirus is the presence of evolutionarily conserved and highly-structured RNA elements in untranslated regions (UTRs) at the genome’ 5’and 3’ ends, essential for viral replication and translation. Given the diversity and complexity of RNA structure and the limitations of molecular biology techniques, the functional characterization and biological significance of UTRs remain to be fully elucidated, especially for 5’ UTR. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of the 5’ UTR of picornavirus. This review focuses on the structural characterization and the biological function of the RNA secondary and tertiary structures in the 5’ UTR of picornavirus. Understanding the role of the 5’ UTR of picornavirus can provide a deep insight into the viral replication cycle and pathogenic mechanisms.

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