How a small DNA virus uses dsRNA but not RNAi to regulate its life cycle

Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol. 2006:71:293-9. doi: 10.1101/sqb.2006.71.017.

Abstract

Mouse polyomavirus contains a circular DNA genome, with early and late genes transcribed from opposite strands. At early times after infection, genes encoded from the early transcription unit are predominantly expressed. After the onset of viral DNA replication, expression of genes encoded from the late transcription unit increases dramatically. At late times, late primary transcripts are inefficiently polyadenylated, leading to the generation of multigenomic RNAs that are precursors to mature mRNAs. These transcripts contain sequences complementary to the early RNAs and downregulate early-strand gene expression by inducing RNA editing. Our recent work leads to a model where the production of the multigenomic late RNAs is also controlled by the editing of poly(A) signals, directed by overlapping primary transcripts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Genome, Viral
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Polyomavirus / genetics*
  • Polyomavirus / growth & development
  • Polyomavirus / physiology*
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA Splicing
  • RNA, Antisense / genetics
  • RNA, Antisense / metabolism
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / genetics*
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / metabolism*
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism*
  • Virus Replication / genetics
  • Virus Replication / physiology

Substances

  • RNA, Antisense
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • RNA, Viral