Molecular Insights into High-Pathogenicity RNA Viruses

Abstract

Highly pathogenic RNA viruses, such as Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza, cause severe disease in humans. High mutation rates, which enable RNA viruses to evade immunity and escape antivirals, and their ability to spread from animals to humans and cause pandemics and outbreaks, make RNA viruses significant threats to public health. Diseases caused by Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza are prevented and treated with only a limited number of approved antiviral drugs, the effectiveness of which is limited by mutations in the viral targets. It is crucial to understand the structural determinants, molecular mechanisms, and host interactions of pathogenic RNA viruses to develop effective antiviral strategies. In this review, we discuss selected RNA viruses, focusing on the structure of their RNA polymerases and interactions with host factors during the different stages of the viral lifecycle, as well as the traditional antivirals targeting these structures and pathways. Furthermore, emerging concepts such as liquid–liquid phase separation and biomolecular condensates, and novel promising antiviral strategies are discussed. Understanding shared and distinct structures, molecular mechanisms, and host interactions across highly pathogenic RNA viruses enables the discovery of new and more effective antiviral strategies, ultimately improving clinical outcomes against evolving RNA viruses.