Cited by 12Animal Virus Infections StudiesRNA and protein synthesis mechanismsRNA Research and Splicing

The long-lasting enigma of polycytidine (polyC) tract

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Penza, Velia, Russell, Stephen J., Schulze, Autumn J.·2021·PLOS Pathogens

Abstract

Long polycytidine (polyC) tracts varying in length from 50 to 400 nucleotides were first described in the 5′-noncoding region (NCR) of genomes of picornaviruses belonging to the Cardio- and Aphthovirus genera over 50 years ago, but the molecular basis of their function is still unknown. Truncation or complete deletion of the polyC tracts in picornaviruses compromises virulence and pathogenicity but do not affect replicative fitness in vitro, suggesting a role as “viral security” RNA element. The evidence available suggests that the presence of a long polyC tract is required for replication in immune cells, which impacts viral distribution and targeting, and, consequently, pathogenic progression. Viral attenuation achieved by reduction of the polyC tract length has been successfully used for vaccine strategies. Further elucidation of the role of the polyC tract in viral replication cycle and its connection with replication in immune cells has the potential to expand the arsenal of tools in the fight against cancer in oncolytic virotherapy (OV). Here, we review the published data on the biological significance and mechanisms of action of the polyC tract in viral pathogenesis in Cardio- and Aphthoviruses.

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  1. [1]Knipe DM, Howley PM. Fields virology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health; 2013. 2 volumes p.

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Authors
Penza, V., Russell, S. J., & Schulze, A. J.
Affiliations
Mayo Clinic (US)
Corresponding author
Schulze, Autumn J.
Venue
PLOS Pathogens
Published
2021-08-04
Volume
17
Issue
8
Pages
e1009739
ISSN
  • 1553-7366 (ISSN-L)
  • 1553-7374
OpenAlex
W3190179284
Cited by
12
References
120
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1
FWCI
0.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PLoS Pathogens (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Mayo Clinic
  • National Institutes of Health (CA207386)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Animal Virus Infections Studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › RNA Research and Splicing
Keywords
picornavirus, 5' untranslated region, viral attenuation, vaccine development, oncolytic virotherapy, viral pathogenesis, RNA secondary structure
MeSH terms
Animals, Aphthovirus, Humans, Poly C, Virus Replication, Cardiovirus, Oncolytic Virotherapy

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