Structures and Functions of Retroviral RNAs: The Multiple Facets of the Retroviral Genome

One family of viruses is responsible for the infection of many species  of vertebrates. These are the retroviruses whose genomic RNA is used to  support genetic information and ensures many essential functions that  are required for the formation of an infectious viral particle. These  functions depend on structures formed by the folding of the genomic RNA.

Structures  and Functions of Retroviral RNAs describes the formation of these  structures and their specific interactions with nucleic acids and  proteins. In light of recent advances in molecular virology, it provides  an understanding of the various facets of the retroviral genome. It  emphasizes in particular that the study of the structure–function  relationship of retroviral RNAs is a driving force behind increased  research into HIV-1, the main causal agent of AIDS.

Indeed, one  of the challenges of pharmacology lies in the exploitation of several  targets which allow us to anticipate and stem the emergence of  resistance to anti-HIV drugs. The book also presents structures and  interactions that may be potential future targets in this regard.