Monocistronic mRNAs containing defective hepatitis C virus-like picornavirus internal ribosome entry site elements in their 5' untranslated regions are efficiently translated in cells by a cap-dependent mechanism

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

The initiation of protein synthesis on mRNAs within eukaryotic cells is achieved either by a 5' cap-dependent mechanism or through internal initiation directed by an internal ribosome entry site (IRES). Picornavirus IRES elements, located in the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR), contain extensive secondary structure and multiple upstream AUG codons. These features can be expected to inhibit cap-dependent initiation of translation. However, we have now shown that certain mutant hepatitis C virus-like picornavirus IRES elements (from porcine teschovirus-1 and avian encephalomyelitis virus), which are unable to direct internal initiation, are not significant barriers to efficient translation of capped monocistronic mRNAs that contain these defective elements within their 5'UTRs. Moreover, the translation of these mRNAs is highly sensitive to the expression of an enterovirus 2A protease (which induces cleavage of eIF4G) and is also inhibited by hippuristanol, a specific inhibitor of eIF4A function, in contrast to their parental wild-type IRES elements. These results provide a possible basis for the evolution of viral IRES elements within the context of functional mRNAs that are translated by a cap-dependent mechanism.

Original languageEnglish
JournalR N A
Volume14
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)1671-80
Number of pages10
ISSN1355-8382
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2008

    Research areas

  • 5' Untranslated Regions/chemistry, Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4G/antagonists & inhibitors, Humans, Peptide Chain Initiation, Translational, Picornaviridae/chemistry, Protein Biosynthesis, RNA Caps/metabolism, RNA, Messenger/chemistry, Regulatory Sequences, Ribonucleic Acid, Ribosomes/metabolism, Sterols/pharmacology

ID: 257918409