Mechanism of genomic segment assortment in avian reovirus
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Astbury Centre
Abstract
Double stranded RNA viruses of the Reoviridae family are important human and animal pathogens. Since exposure of double stranded RNA to the cytoplasm triggers cell death, these viruses have evolved elaborate replication pathways that shield the viral genome from the cytoplasm of the infected cell. A key stage in the lifecycle is the packaging of the genome into virus particles, in which several virally encoded non-structural proteins play an essential role. This project will investigate the structures of these proteins and their RNA binding and packaging mechanisms, which will provide a basis for the rational design of new antiviral compounds.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Roman Tuma (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Joseph Cockburn (Primary Supervisor) |
Publications
Bravo JPK
(2018)
Stability of local secondary structure determines selectivity of viral RNA chaperones.
in Nucleic acids research
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M011151/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2023 | |||
| 1827288 | Studentship | BB/M011151/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2019 |
| Description | Reoviruses represent a broad range of human, animal and plant pathogens. Although there is some vaccine availability, novel Reovirus strains are able to evolve during co-infection due to a process called "reassortment." We tested whether two different reoviruses (rotavirus and avian reovirus) are able to promote viral RNA-RNA interactions that occur during early stages of virus assembly. We found that although proteins involved in this process are very similar, they use different mechanisms to perform this task. We have uncovered a mechanism that restricts Reovirus reassortment whereby the activities of promiscuous proteins is modulated by RNA structural stability. |
| Exploitation Route | Other researchers in the in virus assembly and RNA chaperone fields will be able to use RNA unwinding assays we have developed. Our observation of RNA-driven oligomerisation may turn out to be a widespread mechanism of regulating protein activity. |
| Sectors | Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | Travel grant |
| Amount | £700 (GBP) |
| Organisation | RNA Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 06/2016 |
| End | 06/2016 |
| Description | Travel grant |
| Amount | £400 (GBP) |
| Organisation | RNA Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 05/2017 |
| End | 06/2017 |
| Description | Travel grant |
| Amount | £230 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Microbiology Society |
| Sector | Learned Society |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2018 |
| End | 04/2018 |
| Description | Travel grant |
| Amount | £250 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Microbiology Society |
| Sector | Learned Society |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2017 |
| End | 04/2017 |