title: Translational stop codons in the precore sequence of hepatitis B virus pre-C RNA allow translation reinitiation at downstream AUGs.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) wild-type pre-C RNA directs the synthesis of the HBeAg precursor but does not serve as mRNA for translation of the adjacent downstream C gene which encodes the core protein. Using bicistronic mRNA constructs that mimick pre-C RNA, we have demonstrated that this RNA likewise does not serve as messenger for translation of the P gene, which is located downstream of the C gene. However, when the pre-C RNA contains a translational stop codon at position 2 or 28 of the pre-C sequence (as in certain HBV mutants), it no longer directs synthesis of the HBeAg precursor but instead translation is initiated at downstream C and P gene AUGs. We propose that this occurs by a translation reinitiation mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Génétique des Virus, UPR 2431-CNRS, Yvette, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fouillot
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rossignol
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D003062:Codon; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D003062:Codon; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D012322:RNA Precursors; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D001616:beta-Galactosidase