Architects of assembly: roles of Flaviviridae non-structural proteins in virion morphogenesis

Abstract

The authors discuss a new hypothesis, based on a body of evidence that has accumulated over the past 10 years, that non-structural proteins of RNA viruses, such as hepatitis C and dengue, have roles in virion maturation and assembly. Viruses of the Flaviviridae family, including hepatitis C, dengue and bovine viral diarrhoea, are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent advances in our understanding of virion assembly have uncovered commonalities among distantly related members of this family. We discuss the emerging hypothesis that physical virion components are not alone in forming the infectious particle, but that non-structural proteins are intimately involved in orchestrating morphogenesis. Pinpointing the roles of Flaviviridae proteins in virion production could reveal new avenues for antiviral therapeutics.