The Importance of RNA-binding Proteins and RNA in the Antiviral State
A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Microbiology and Immunology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 11587
Special Issue Editor
Interests: RNA binding proteins; RNA Virus; protein-RNA interactions; virus-host interactions; antivirals; interferon
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Viruses are intracellular parasites that require the host cell to replicate and spread. Viral RNAs and replication intermediates present unusual signatures that are recognised by specialised RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). These signatures include tri-phosphate 5’ ends, undermethylated cap, sequence biases (e.g. CpG-rich regions) and double stranded RNA. Interaction of antiviral RBPs with RNA trigger important alterations in the host cell, including the suppression of protein synthesis and the activation of the antiviral transcriptional programme. Moreover, cellular RNA can also exert, together with cellular RBPs, antiviral effects. These RNA molecules include micro (mi)RNA, piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) and, more recently, long non-coding (lnc)RNAs. On the other hand, viruses encode proteins and RNAs that can antagonise these cellular antiviral mechanisms, leading to a competition between cellular and viral mechanisms to define the fate of viral infection.
In the last years, important efforts have been undertaken to improve our understanding on these critical antiviral host-virus interactions. Therefore, this issue focuses on this rapidly evolving field, considering research articles, methods and reviews to consolidate and expand our knowledge on these important host-virus interactions. The three main focus of the issue are:
- RBPs as critical weapons in the antiviral arsenal of the host cell. This section will expand our knowledge of the roles of cellular RBPs as sensors and effectors of the innate immunity system;
- Viral RBPs that interfere with the antiviral response. This section will focus on the viral RBPs that interfere with host gene expression, or prevent the detection of the viral RNA by antiviral sensors, to impair the capacity of the cell to respond to virus infection.
- Cellular RNA as regulators of the antiviral response.
Dr. Alfredo Castello
Guest Editor
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