Cytoplasmic RNA Granules and Viral Infection

RNA granules are dynamic cellular structures essential for proper gene expression and homeostasis. The two principal types of cytoplasmic RNA granules are stress granules, which contain stalled translation initiation complexes, and processing bodies (P bodies), which concentrate factors involved in mRNA degradation. RNA granules are associated with gene silencing of transcripts; thus, viruses repress RNA granule functions to favor replication. This article discusses the breadth of viral interactions with cytoplasmic RNA granules, focusing on mechanisms that modulate the functions of RNA granules and that typically promote viral replication. Currently, mechanisms for virus manipulation of RNA granules can be loosely grouped into three nonexclusive categories: (a) cleavage of key RNA granule factors, (b) regulation of PKR activation, and (c) co-opting of RNA granule factors for new roles in viral replication. Viral modulation of RNA granules supports productive infection by inhibiting their gene-silencing functions and counteracting their role in linking stress sensing with innate immune activation.