SYNTHESIS

OF
VIRAL
PROTEINS
Diagram for the
Synthesis of
Viral Proteins

Urry, L. A., Cain, M. L., Wasserman, S. A., Minorsky, P. V., Orr, R. B., & Campbell, N. A. (2021). Campbell biology (12th ed.). Pearson Education Inc.
BRIEF EXPLANATION ON THE SYNTHESIS OF VIRAL PROTEINS
1. Virus attaches to cell membrane of infected host cell

2. Virus enters the infected host cell & releases viral genome

3. Viral genome is transcribed to form viral mRNA

4. Viral mRNA is translated by ribosomes of host cell to produce

viral proteins
5. Viral proteins are self-assembled with viral genome to form new
virus particles
6. The new viruses are released to attack other host cells
PREVENTING TRANSLATION OF VIRAL mRNA
 During this pandemic of COVID-19, researchers are continuously
trying to find ways to prevent translation of the viral mRNA
 Some possible ways:
1. Prevent attachment of ribosomes to the viral mRNA (using
inhibitor RNA)
2. Block the start codon of the viral mRNA (using antisense
oligonucleotides)
3. Degradation of the viral mRNA (using RNase or ribozymes)
Gale Jr, M., Tan, S. L., & Katze, M. G. (2000). Translational Control of Viral Gene Expression in Eukaryotes. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 64(2).
 This is only a guide for the lecturers
 Other inputs from the students may still be acceptable based
on their readings/ findings