title: The 5' untranslated region of GB virus B shows functional similarity to the internal ribosome entry site of hepatitis C virus.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Virology, GlaxoWellcome Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK1.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grace
authors.affiliation: Virology, GlaxoWellcome Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK1.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gartland
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine at St Mary's, London W2 1NY, UK2.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karayiannis
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine at St Mary's, London W2 1NY, UK2.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: McGarvey
authors.affiliation: Virology, GlaxoWellcome Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK1.
authors.forename: Berwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions