Novel Roles of the Picornaviral 3D Polymerase in Viral Pathogenesis

摘要

The RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase, 3D^pol, is an essential component in the picornavirus genome for the replication of single stranded RNA. However, transgenic expression of 3D^pol in mice has antiviral effects. Here, we discuss the structure and function of 3D^pol during picornavirus replication, we review the evidence and consequence of a host immune response to epitopes in 3D^pol after picornavirus infection, highlight data showing the antiviral effects of transgenic 3D^pol from Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV), and discuss potential mechanisms by which 3D^pol is causing this antiviral effect in mice.