Ambisense polarity of genome RNA of orthomyxoviruses and coronaviruses

Abstract

Influenza viruses and coronaviruses have linear single-stranded RNA genomes with negative and positive sense polarities and genes encoded in viral genomes are expressed in these viruses as positive and negative genes, respectively. Here we consider a novel gene identified in viral genomes in opposite direction, as positive in influenza and negative in coronaviruses, suggesting an ambisense genome strategy for both virus families. Noteworthy, the identified novel genes colocolized in the same RNA regions of viral genomes, where the previously known opposite genes are encoded, a so-called ambisense stacking architecture of genes in virus genome. It seems likely, that ambisense gene stacking in influenza and coronavirus families significantly increases genetic potential and virus diversity to extend virus-host adaptation pathways in nature. These data imply that ambisense viruses may have a multivirion mechanism, like "a dark side of the Moon", allowing production of the heterogeneous population of virions expressed through positive and negative sense genome strategies.

Keywords: Virus genome; Ambisense RNA; Influenza; Coronavirus; Virus diversity; Virus genes

Core Tip: A novel genes identified in viral genomes in opposite direction, as positive in influenza and negative in coronaviruses, are considered. The identified novel genes colocolized in the same RNA regions of viral genomes, where the previously known opposite genes are encoded, a so-called ambisense stacking architecture of genes in virus genome. It seems likely, that ambisense gene stacking in influenza and coronavirus families significantly increases genetic potential and virus diversity to extend virus-host adaptation pathways in nature. These data imply that ambisense viruses may have a multivirion mechanism, like "a dark side of the Moon", allowing production of the heterogeneous population of virions expressed through positive and negative sense genome strategies.