Inhibition and avoidance of mRNA degradation by RNA viruses

► Numerous factors and pathways are used by the cellular RNA decay machinery to regulate transcript stability. ► The cellular RNA decay machinery has a significant influence on viral gene expression in infected cells. ► Strategies used by RNA viruses to avoid the cellular RNA decay machinery include degrading/inactivating key components, recruiting cellular stability factors and evolution of nuclease resistant RNA structures. ► Instead of simply avoiding it, RNA viruses may also use the cellular RNA decay machinery to increase or fine tune their gene expression.