The 5' untranslated region of GB virus B shows functional similarity to the internal ribosome entry site of hepatitis C virus.
Since its characterization in 1995, there has been increasing interest in the significance of GB virus B (GBV-B) due to its close phylogenetic relationship to hepatitis C virus (HCV). The genome of GBV-B is similar in length and organization to that of HCV and the two viruses share sequence similarity in their 5' untranslated regions (5'UTR). A secondary structure model of the GBV-B 5'UTR has been proposed by comparative sequence analysis with HCV. The highly conserved secondary structure, present in HCV and the pestiviruses, is also present in the 5'UTR of GBV-B. Translation of the HCV polyprotein initiates via an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and it is proposed that the GBV-B UTR may function in a similar manner. Dicistronic reporter constructs were made to investigate the function of the GBV-B 5'UTR. Mutational analysis and in vitro translation experiments demonstrate that GBV-B initiates translation via an IRES.
Grace
Ken
K
Virology, GlaxoWellcome Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK1.
Gartland
Margaret
M
Virology, GlaxoWellcome Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK1.
Karayiannis
Peter
P
Department of Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine at St Mary's, London W2 1NY, UK2.
McGarvey
Michael J
MJ
Department of Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine at St Mary's, London W2 1NY, UK2.
Clarke
Berwyn
B
Virology, GlaxoWellcome Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK1.
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000502:physiology*
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions