Structural and mechanistic insights into hepatitis C viral translation initiation

Christopher S Fraser; Jennifer A Doudna

doi:10.1038/nrmicro1558

Structural and mechanistic insights into hepatitis C viral translation initiation

Nat Rev Microbiol. 2007 Jan;5(1):29-38. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro1558. Epub 2006 Nov 27.

Authors

Christopher S Fraser¹, Jennifer A Doudna

Affiliation

¹ Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.

PMID: 17128284
DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro1558

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus uses an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) to control viral protein synthesis by directly recruiting ribosomes to the translation-start site in the viral mRNA. Structural insights coupled with biochemical studies have revealed that the IRES substitutes for the activities of translation-initiation factors by binding and inducing conformational changes in the 40S ribosomal subunit. Direct interactions of the IRES with initiation factor eIF3 are also crucial for efficient translation initiation, providing clues to the role of eIF3 in protein synthesis.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

5' Untranslated Regions*
Binding Sites
Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-3 / chemistry
Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-3 / metabolism
Hepacivirus / genetics*
Hepacivirus / metabolism
Nucleic Acid Conformation
Protein Biosynthesis*
Protein Structure, Quaternary
RNA Caps / metabolism
RNA, Messenger / chemistry
RNA, Messenger / genetics
RNA, Messenger / metabolism
RNA, Viral / chemistry
RNA, Viral / genetics*
RNA, Viral / metabolism
Ribosomes / chemistry
Ribosomes / metabolism*
Viral Proteins / biosynthesis*

Substances

5' Untranslated Regions
Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-3
RNA Caps
RNA, Messenger
RNA, Viral
Viral Proteins