Scientists at the University of Leeds in the UK have figured out how polioviruses and rhinoviruses use their genetic code to infect cells. The discovery of the mechanism will allow the development of drugs that can suppress viral infections. The research findings, published in the journal PLOS Pathogens, are summarized in a press release on Phys.org.
Researchers have determined how the viral genome regulates the assembly of virions – complete viral particles consisting of nucleic acids and a protein coat (capsid). It turned out that there are short sections inside the RNA chain, which, in combination with specific proteins of the viral envelope, ensure the formation of virions. These sites were named RNA packing signals.
Using electron microscopes, scientists visualized the assembly of virions in enterovirus-E, which is related to the poliovirus that causes polio. In addition, it turned out that the genetic features that control the formation of virions are conservative, that is, they rarely mutate, which means they remain vulnerable to potential drugs for a long time.