title: RNA Replication and Membrane Modification Require the Same Functions of Alphavirus Nonstructural Proteins.
abstract: The alphaviruses induce membrane invaginations known as spherules as their RNA replication sites. Here, we show that inactivation of any function (polymerase, helicase, protease, or membrane association) essential for RNA synthesis also prevents the generation of spherule structures in a Semliki Forest virus trans-replication system. Mutants capable of negative-strand synthesis, including those defective in RNA capping, gave rise to spherules. Recruitment of RNA to membranes in the absence of spherule formation was not detected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Katri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kallio
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Kirsi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hellström
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Eija
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jokitalo
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland tero.ahola@helsinki.fi.
authors.forename: Tero
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ahola
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D012672:Semliki forest virus / Q000502:physiology*; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins