Virus-associated small satellite RNAs and viroids display similarities in their replication strategies.
Since the discovery of non-coding, small, highly structured, satellite RNAs (satRNAs) and viroids as subviral pathogens of plants , have been of great interest to molecular biologists as possible living fossils of pre-cellular evolution in an RNA world. Despite extensive studies performed in the last four decades, there is still mystery surrounding the origin and evolutionary relationship between these subviral pathogens. Recent technical advances revealed some commonly shared replication features between these two subviral pathogens. In this review, we discuss our current perception of replication and evolutionary origin of these petite RNA pathogens.
Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521-0122, United States. Electronic address: arao@ucr.edu.
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Rao
IMBB-FORTH, Vasilika Vouton, Heraklion, Crete, Greece and Dept. of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
Kriton
K
Kalantidis
D010944:Plants / Q000821:virology*; D019244:RNA, Satellite / Q000235:genetics*; D014772:Viroids / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014779:Virus Replication
D019244:RNA, Satellite
BRP1; Host factors; Replication; Satellite RNAs; Viroid; Virp1