title: Prokaryotic-like cis elements in the cap-independent internal initiation of translation on picornavirus RNA.
abstract: Initiation of translation on picornavirus RNAs is accomplished through internal binding of ribosomes to a complex cis-acting element. Here we show that efficient function of this element involves two appropriately spaced smaller elements: UUUCC and an AUG. This conclusion emerged from analysis of the genome structures of spontaneous revertants of mutant polioviruses with extended insertions between the UUUCC and AUG motifs. It was confirmed by the results obtained with specially designed constructs. A similarity to the prokaryotic translation initiation mechanism, which involves the Shine-Dalgarno sequence, is emphasized, but in the picornavirus system the position of the UUUCC must be strictly fixed relative to upstream cis-acting elements, and the AUG may not necessarily serve as an initiation codon.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides, USSR Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow.
authors.forename: E V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Pilipenko
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Gmyl
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Maslova
authors.forename: Y V
authors.initials: YV
authors.lastname: Svitkin
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Sinyakov
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Agol
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016679:Genome, Viral; D008961:Models, Structural; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D010442:Peptide Chain Initiation, Translational; D010957:Plasmids; D017955:Poliovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012315:RNA Caps / Q000235:genetics*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013698:Templates, Genetic; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay
chemical_list: D012315:RNA Caps; D012367:RNA, Viral