Marburg virus genomic RNA (MARV RNA)

Marburg virus genomic RNA is a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA molecule of approximately 19 kilobases that serves as the genetic blueprint for the Marburg virus (MARV), a highly pathogenic member of the Filoviridae family (NCBI Genome, 2024). The genome encodes seven structural proteins, including the nucleoprotein (NP), VP35, VP40, glycoprotein (GP), VP30, VP24, and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L), which are essential for viral entry, replication, and assembly (Kuhlmann et al., 2018). During the viral life cycle, the genomic RNA acts as a template for the synthesis of viral messenger RNAs and a positive-sense antigenome intermediate (WHO, 2023). As the central component of viral persistence and pathogenesis, MARV RNA is a critical target for therapeutic strategies, including antisense oligonucleotides (e.g., AVI-7288) and small interfering RNAs (e.g., TKM-Marburg) that bind directly to the RNA to prevent translation or induce degradation (Warren et al., 2014; Thi et al., 2015). Additionally, the replication process of this RNA is targeted by nucleoside analogs such as Remdesivir and Galidesivir, which act as alternative substrates for the viral polymerase, leading to premature termination of the nascent RNA strand (Warren et al., 2016; Taylor et al., 2016).

Other names

Marburg virus genomeMARV negative-sense RNAMarburg marburgvirus RNANegative-sense single-stranded RNA genome

Sequence-specific binding by antisense or siRNA to block translation/degradation, or inhibition of RNA synthesis via nucleoside analog chain termination.