Virus-Host Interactions: The RNA Perspective

RNA and RNA biology play major roles in the replication and pathology associated with viral infections. Thus we invite you to step back and think about viral infections not as a classic virologist or pathologist, but rather as an RNA biologist.

This collection contains articles that will provide you with background and insights into three aspects of the RNA biology of viral infections. First, there is a discussion of how RNA viruses interface with the various RNA machineries of the infected cell. We invite you to start by reading the overview provided by Cross et al., and then delve into the specialized aspects of cellular biology such as splicing, translation, RNA modification, RNA binding proteins and small RNA cell-cell communication.

Next, we invite you to explore the role of RNA in the cell’s antiviral response with our articles on viral piRNA responses, 2’5’ oligo A synthesis/interferon and TRIM25. Finally, if you want to examine things from the viewpoint of the RNA viruses themselves, check out the articles on RNA-only viroid pathogens and flavivirus replication.