Targeting mitotic chromosomes: a conserved mechanism to ensure viral genome persistence

Viruses that maintain their genomes as extrachromosomal circular DNA molecules and establish infection in actively dividing cells must ensure retention of their genomes within the nuclear envelope in order to prevent genome loss. The loss of nuclear membrane integrity during mitosis dictates that pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Biological sciences, 2009-05, Vol.276 (1662), p.1535-1544
Main Authors: Feeney, Katherine M, Parish, Joanna L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cell Division - physiology
Cell Nucleus - virology
Chromosomes
Chromosomes - virology
DNA
DNA tumour virus
DNA Viruses - genetics
DNA, Viral - chemistry
Genome
Genome, Viral
Genomes
Herpesvirus 4, Human - genetics
Human herpesvirus 8
Mitosis
Nuclear antigens
Papillomaviridae - genetics
Plasmids
Proteins
Review
Review Articles
Rhadinovirus - genetics
Segregation
Viral genomes
Viral Persistence
Viral Proteins - physiology
Viruses
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Summary:Viruses that maintain their genomes as extrachromosomal circular DNA molecules and establish infection in actively dividing cells must ensure retention of their genomes within the nuclear envelope in order to prevent genome loss. The loss of nuclear membrane integrity during mitosis dictates that paired host cell chromosomes are captured and organized by the mitotic spindle apparatus before segregation to daughter cells. This prevents inaccurate chromosomal segregation and loss of genetic material. A similar mechanism may also exist for the nuclear retention of extrachromosomal viral genomes or episomes during mitosis, particularly for genomes maintained at a low copy number in latent infections. It has been heavily debated whether such a mechanism exists and to what extent this mechanism is conserved among diverse viruses. Research over the last two decades has provided a wealth of information regarding the mechanisms by which specific tumour viruses evade mitotic and DNA damage checkpoints. Here, we discuss the similarities and differences in how specific viruses tether episomal genomes to host cell chromosomes during mitosis to ensure long-term persistence.
ISSN:0962-8452
1471-2954
DOI:10.1098/rspb.2008.1642