scholarly journals Selection and Analysis of Mutations in an Encephalomyocarditis Virus Internal Ribosome Entry Site That Improve the Efficiency of a Bicistronic Flavivirus Construct

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (22) ◽  
pp. 12619-12629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus K. Orlinger ◽  
Regina M. Kofler ◽  
Franz X. Heinz ◽  
Verena M. Hoenninger ◽  
Christian W. Mandl
Keyword(s):  
Internal Ribosome Entry Site ◽  
Rna Replication ◽  
Particle Formation ◽  
Encephalomyocarditis Virus ◽  
Translation Initiation Factor ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Expression Vectors ◽  
Nucleotide Substitutions ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry

ABSTRACT Flaviviruses have a positive-stranded RNA genome, which simultaneously serves as an mRNA for translation of the viral proteins. All of the structural and nonstructural proteins are translated from a cap-dependent cistron as a single polyprotein precursor. In an earlier study (K. K. Orlinger, V. M. Hoenninger, R. M. Kofler, and C. W. Mandl, J. Virol. 80:12197-12208, 2006), it was demonstrated that an artificial bicistronic flavivirus genome, TBEV-bc, in which the region coding for the viral surface glycoproteins prM and E from tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) had been removed from its natural context and inserted into the 3′ noncoding region under the control of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) from encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) produces viable, infectious virus when cells are transfected with this RNA. The rates of RNA replication and infectious particle formation were significantly lower with TBEV-bc, however, than with wild-type TBEV. In this study, we have identified two types of mutations, selected by passage in BHK-21 cells, that enhance the growth properties of TBEV-bc. The first type occurred in the E protein, and these most likely increase the affinity of the virus for heparan sulfate on the cell surface. The second type occurred in the inserted EMCV IRES, in the oligo(A) loop of the J-K stem-loop structure, a binding site for the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G. These included single-nucleotide substitutions as well as insertions of additional adenines in this loop. An A-to-C substitution in the oligo(A) loop decreased the efficiency of the IRES itself but nevertheless resulted in improved rates of virus particle formation and overall replication efficiency. These results demonstrate the need for proper balance in the competition for free template RNA between the viral RNA replication machinery and the cellular translation machinery at the two different start sites and also identify specific target sites for the improvement of bicistronic flavivirus expression vectors.

scholarly journals Conserved Nucleotides within the J Domain of the Encephalomyocarditis Virus Internal Ribosome Entry Site Are Required for Activity and for Interaction with eIF4G

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (23) ◽  
pp. 12441-12449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela T. Clark ◽  
Morwenna E. M. Robertson ◽  
Graeme L. Conn ◽  
Graham J. Belsham
Keyword(s):  
Internal Ribosome Entry Site ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Encephalomyocarditis Virus ◽  
Translation Initiation Factor ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry ◽  
Initiation Of Translation ◽  
Mouth Disease Virus ◽  
J Domain

ABSTRACT The internal ribosome entry site (IRES) elements of cardioviruses (e.g., encephalomyocarditis virus [EMCV] and foot-and-mouth disease virus) are predicted to have very similar secondary structures. Among these complex RNA structures there is only rather limited complete sequence conservation. Within the J domain of the EMCV IRES there are four highly conserved nucleotides (A704, C705, G723, and A724)., which are predicted to be unpaired and have been targeted for mutagenesis. Using an IRES-dependent cell selection system, we have isolated functional IRES elements from a pool of up to 256 mutants. All changes to these conserved nucleotides resulted in IRES elements that were less efficient at directing internal initiation of translation than the wild-type element, and even some of the single point mutants were highly defective. Each of the mutations adversely affected the ability of the RNAs to interact with the translation initiation factor eIF4G.

scholarly journals Regulation of the cell-cycle-dependent internal ribosome entry site of the PITSLRE protein kinase: roles of Unr (upstream of N-ras) protein and phosphorylated translation initiation factor eIF-2α

2004 ◽  
Vol 385 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandrine A. TINTON ◽  
Bert SCHEPENS ◽  
Yanik BRUYNOOGHE ◽  
Rudi BEYAERT ◽  
Sigrid CORNELIS
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry Site ◽  
Encephalomyocarditis Virus ◽  
Translation Initiation Factor ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Initiation Of Translation ◽  
Cycle Dependent

The PITSLRE kinases belong to the large family of cyclin-dependent protein kinases. Their function has been related to cell-cycle regulation, splicing and apoptosis. We have previously shown that the open reading frame of the p110PITSLRE transcript contains an IRES (internal ribosome entry site) that allows the expression of a smaller p58PITSLRE isoform during the G2/M stage of the cell cycle. In the present study we investigated further the role of cis- and trans-acting factors in the regulation of the PITSLRE IRES. Progressive deletion analysis showed that both a purine-rich sequence and a Unr (upstream of N-ras) consensus binding site are essential for PITSLRE IRES activity. In line with these observations, we demonstrate that the PITSLRE IRES interacts with the Unr protein, which is more prominently expressed at the G2/M stage of the cell cycle. We also show that phosphorylation of the α-subunit of the canonical initiation factor eIF-2 is increased at G2/M. Interestingly, phosphorylation of eIF-2α has a permissive effect on the efficiency of both the PITSLRE IRES and the ornithine decarboxylase IRES, two cell cycle-dependent IRESs, in mediating internal initiation of translation, whereas this was not observed with the viral EMCV (encephalomyocarditis virus) and HRV (human rhinovirus) IRESs.

scholarly journals A Novel Form of DAP5 Protein Accumulates in Apoptotic Cells as a Result of Caspase Cleavage and Internal Ribosome Entry Site-Mediated Translation

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 496-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivan Henis-Korenblit ◽  
Naomi Levy Strumpf ◽  
Dan Goldstaub ◽  
Adi Kimchi
Keyword(s):  
Internal Ribosome Entry Site ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Translation Initiation Factor ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Apoptotic Cells ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Translation Rate ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry ◽  
Caspase Cleavage ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

ABSTRACT Death-associated protein 5 (DAP5) (also named p97 and NAT1) is a member of the translation initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) family that lacks the eIF4E binding site. It was previously implicated in apoptosis, based on the finding that a dominant negative fragment of the protein protected against cell death. Here we address its function and two distinct levels of regulation during apoptosis that affect the protein both at translational and posttranslational levels. DAP5 protein was found to be cleaved at a single caspase cleavage site at position 790, in response to activated Fas or p53, yielding a C-terminal truncated protein of 86 kDa that is capable of generating complexes with eIF4A and eIF3. Interestingly, while the overall translation rate in apoptotic cells was reduced by 60 to 70%, in accordance with the simultaneous degradation of the two major mediators of cap-dependent translation, eIF4GI and eIF4GII, the translation rate of DAP5 protein was selectively maintained. An internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element capable of directing the translation of a reporter gene when subcloned into a bicistronic vector was identified in the 5′ untranslated region of DAP5 mRNA. While cap-dependent translation from this transfected vector was reduced during Fas-induced apoptosis, the translation via the DAP5 IRES was selectively maintained. Addition of recombinant DAP5/p97 or DAP5/p86 to cell-free systems enhanced preferentially the translation through the DAP5 IRES, whereas neutralization of the endogenous DAP5 in reticulocyte lysates by adding a dominant negative DAP5 fragment interfered with this translation. The DAP5/p86 apoptotic form was more potent than DAP5/p97 in these functional assays. Altogether, the data suggest that DAP5 is a caspase-activated translation factor which mediates cap-independent translation at least from its own IRES, thus generating a positive feedback loop responsible for the continuous translation of DAP5 during apoptosis.

scholarly journals Interaction of Translation Initiation Factor eIF4B with the Poliovirus Internal Ribosome Entry Site

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 2113-2122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Ochs ◽  
Lanja Saleh ◽  
Gergis Bassili ◽  
Volker H. Sonntag ◽  
Amandus Zeller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Translation Initiation ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry Site ◽  
Translation Initiation Factor ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry ◽  
Initiation Factors ◽  
Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein ◽  
Energy Dependent ◽  
Domain V

ABSTRACT Poliovirus translation is initiated at the internal ribosome entry site (IRES). Most likely involving the action of standard initiation factors, this highly structured cis element in the 5" noncoding region of the viral RNA guides the ribosome to an internal silent AUG. The actual start codon for viral protein synthesis further downstream is then reached by ribosomal scanning. In this study we show that two of the secondary structure elements of the poliovirus IRES, domain V and, to a minor extent, domain VI, are the determinants for binding of the eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4B. Several mutations in domain V which are known to greatly affect poliovirus growth also seriously impair the binding of eIF4B. The interaction of eIF4B with the IRES is not dependent on the presence of the polypyrimidine tract-binding protein, which also binds to the poliovirus IRES. In contrast to its weak interaction with cellular mRNAs, eIF4B remains tightly associated with the poliovirus IRES during the formation of complete 80S ribosomes. Binding of eIF4B to the IRES is energy dependent, and binding of the small ribosomal subunit to the IRES requires the previous energy-dependent association of initiation factors with the IRES. These results indicate that the interaction of eIF4B with the 3" region of the poliovirus IRES may be directly involved in translation initiation.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation of eIF2α is responsible for the failure of the picornavirus internal ribosome entry site to direct translation from Sindbis virus replicons

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 796-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Angel Sanz ◽  
Natalia Redondo ◽  
Manuel García-Moreno ◽  
Luis Carrasco
Keyword(s):  
Internal Ribosome Entry Site ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Encephalomyocarditis Virus ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Embryonic Fibroblasts ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry ◽  
Eif2α Phosphorylation ◽  
Wild Type Mefs

Translation directed by the poliovirus (PV) or encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) internal ribosome entry site (IRES) is very inefficient when expressed from Sindbis virus (SV) replicons. This inhibition can be rescued by co-expression of PV 2A protease (2Apro). Inhibition correlates with the extensive phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 2α induced by SV replication. Confirmation that PV or EMCV IRES-driven translation can function when eIF2α is not phosphorylated was obtained in dsRNA-activated protein kinase knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (PKR−/− MEFs), where SV replication cannot induce eIF2α phosphorylation, and in variant S51A MEFs that express an unphosphorylatable eIF2α. In these cells, PV or EMCV IRES-dependent translation operated more efficiently than in wild-type MEFs. However, this translation was potently blocked when eIF2α was phosphorylated by the addition of thapsigargin to PKR−/− MEFs. In addition, when wild-type eIF2α was expressed in S51A MEFs or PKR was expressed in PKR−/− MEFs, PV IRES-dependent translation decreased. In both cases, the decrease in PV IRES-dependent translation correlated with the phosphorylation of eIF2α. Notably, PV 2Apro expression rescued PV IRES-driven translation in thapsigargin-treated PKR−/− MEFs. Taken together, these results demonstrated that PV IRES-driven translation can take place from SV replicons if eIF2α remains unphosphorylated. Remarkably, PV IRES-dependent translation was fully functional in this system when PV 2Apro was present, even if eIF2α was phosphorylated.

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