Advances in research on the battle between viruses and human cells

The findings, described in a paper published Feb.

"This paper seeks to understand the mechanisms that allow these RNAs to escape degradation," said senior author Mandy Muller, assistant professor of microbiology

In the Mueller lab, student researchers work with Mueller to study how Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) hides in the human body for years before seeking to control human gene expression to complete viral infection

Researchers use whole-genome sequencing, post-transcriptional sequencing and molecular biology to study how human cells or viruses know how to prevent degradation

"The virus is very smart, that's what I like to say," Mueller said

"However, at some point -- many years later -- they reactivate

Mueller's group has been investigating how and why some RNAs escape viral degradation, which is a question

"We found that escaped RNAs have a chemical tag on them -- a post-transcriptional modification -- that makes them different from other RNAs," Muller explained.

Muller began studying KSHV as an undergraduate in her native France, and her mission continues

"We know you need this protein to protect the RNA from degradation, but we still don't know how it physically prevents degradation, so that's what we're looking at now," she said

Ultimately, understanding the mechanisms and pathways of KSHV infection may lead to the development of RNA therapeutics to treat viral diseases

"By identifying the determinants that make mRNA resistant or susceptible to virus-induced decay, we can use these findings to better design antiviral drugs and reshape the outcome of infection," Mueller said

Daniel Macveigh-Fierro, Angelina Cicerchia, Ashley Cadorette, Vasudha Sharma, Mandy Muller.