title: RNA recombination in hepatitis delta virus: implications regarding the abilities of mammalian RNA polymerases.
abstract: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) requires the surface antigens of hepatitis B virus (HBV) for packaging and transmission, but replicates its RNA in an HBV-independent fashion. HDV contains a 1.7-kb circular RNA genome that is folded into an unbranched rod-like structure via intramolecular base-pairing, and possesses ribozyme activity. The HDV genome does not encode an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), but is instead replicated by host RNA polymerase(s) via a rolling-circle mechanism. As such, HDV is similar to the viroid plant pathogens. Recent findings suggest that HDV can also undergo template-switching recombination, a well-documented process that has been found in a large number of RdRp-encoding RNA viruses and is thought to affect viral evolution and pathogenesis. This mini-review examines HDV RNA recombination and how it may improve our understanding of the capacities of host RNA polymerases beyond typical DNA-directed transcription, and speculates on the role of host RNA polymerase-directed RNA template-switching in the origin of HDV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, 259, Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kwei-Shan, Tao-yang 333, Taiwan. pa0728@mail.cgu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000502:physiology*; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases