Role of Host RNA-Binding Proteins in Japanese Encephalitis Virus Replication

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) depends entirely on the host RNA-binding proteins to perform numerous functions in the viral replication. Some RNA-binding proteins have been identified and reported that affect the recruitment of viral RNA for its replication purpose. Also, a few RNA-binding proteins which are subverted upon virus infection, facilitate the assembly of the membrane-bound replicase complexes and regulate the activity of the replicase. In addition, host RNA-binding proteins affect the stability of viral RNA genome, in such, escaping the viral RNA from cellular RNA degradation pathways. Indeed, many host RNA-binding proteins seem to exhibit specialized functions; others also participate in multiple events during viral infection. Several conserved RNA-binding proteins, such as eEF1A and hnRNP proteins family, are co-opted by various RNA viruses, underscoring some common themes in virus-host interactions. In contrast, some RNA viruses hijack unique RNA-binding proteins for its complete infection cycle, suggesting that these RNA viruses could utilize different RNA-binding proteins to perform their required functions. Overall, we hypothesize that JEV have to adapt distinctive strategies for using host RNA-binding proteins. A deeper understanding of the functions of the host RNA-binding proteins subverted for viral RNA replication will allow us to develop the novel antiviral strategies and provide new insights into host RNA biology. We propose the following Aims: Aim 1: Define the RNA-binding proteins profiling required for JEV replication. Aim 2: Define the role of the RNA-binding proteins-orchestrated mRNAs quality control machinery in JEV replication. Aim 3: Establishing the regulatory network of host RNA-binding proteins in JEV-host interaction and its pathophysiological relevance.

Project ID:PC10312-0036
External Project ID:MOST103-2320-B182-032