title: Sequence and structural elements that contribute to efficient encephalomyocarditis virus RNA translation.
abstract: The nucleotide sequence of the 5' nontranslated region of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV-Rueckert) was determined, and a consensus RNA structural model for this sequence (850 bases) and three other poly(C)-containing cardioviruses (mengovirus, EMCV-B, and EMCV-D) was created through reiterative use of a minimum-free-energy folding algorithm. The RNA elements within this region which contribute to translation of EMCV proteins were mapped in cell-free reactions programmed with cDNA-derived RNA transcripts. The data provide evidence that stem-loop motifs I, J and K, formed by viral bases 451 to 785, are important components of cap-independent translation. In contrast to other reports, a minimal role for stem-loop H (bases 406 to 444) in translational activity is indicated. Small 5' nontranslated region fragments (bases 667 to 797) containing the J and K motifs proved strong competitive inhibitors when added to cell-free reactions programmed with exogenous capped or uncapped mRNAs. The putative sequestering of required translational factors by this segment clearly contributes to translational activity, but also suggests a possible competitive mechanism for the down regulation of host protein synthesis during viral infection.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Duke
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Palmenberg
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004686:Encephalomyocarditis virus / Q000235:genetics*; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015394:Molecular Structure; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral