Journal
VIRUSES-BASEL
Volume 13, Issue 2, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/v13020197
Keywords
positive-strand RNA viruses; virus– host interaction; electron tomography; blockface imaging; volume SEM; in situ cryotomography; double-membrane vesicles; invaginated spherules; coronaviruses; nodaviruses
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
During infection, viral RNA synthesis is linked with modified intracellular membranes, forming unique structures within infected cells. Electron microscopy has played a crucial role in understanding these viral replication organelles, with various imaging modalities providing structural and functional information at different scales. Recent advancements, such as volume scanning SEM and in situ cryotomography, are beginning to shed light on the macromolecular complexity of viral ROs.
During infection with positive-strand RNA viruses, viral RNA synthesis associates with modified intracellular membranes that form unique and captivating structures in the cytoplasm of the infected cell. These viral replication organelles (ROs) play a key role in the replicative cycle of important human pathogens like coronaviruses, enteroviruses, or flaviviruses. From their discovery to date, progress in our understanding of viral ROs has closely followed new developments in electron microscopy (EM). This review gives a chronological account of this progress and an introduction to the different EM techniques that enabled it. With an ample repertoire of imaging modalities, EM is nowadays a versatile technique that provides structural and functional information at a wide range of scales. Together with well-established approaches like electron tomography or labeling methods, we examine more recent developments, such as volume scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and in situ cryotomography, which are only beginning to be applied to the study of viral ROs. We also highlight the first cryotomography analyses of viral ROs, which have led to the discovery of macromolecular complexes that may serve as RO channels that control the export of newly-made viral RNA. These studies are key first steps towards elucidating the macromolecular complexity of viral ROs.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available