The 3' untranslated region of the Andes hantavirus small mRNA functionally replaces the poly(A) tail and stimulates cap-dependent translation initiation from the viral mRNA.
In the process of translation of eukaryotic mRNAs, the 5' cap and the 3' poly(A) tail interact synergistically to stimulate protein synthesis. Unlike its cellular counterparts, the small mRNA (SmRNA) of Andes hantavirus (ANDV), a member of the Bunyaviridae, lacks a 3' poly(A) tail. Here we report that the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the ANDV SmRNA functionally replaces a poly(A) tail and synergistically stimulates cap-dependent translation initiation from the viral mRNA. Stimulation of translation by the 3'UTR of the ANDV SmRNA was found to be independent of viral proteins and of host poly(A)-binding protein.
Vera-Otarola
Jorge
J
Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Núcleo Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Marcoleta 391, Santiago, Chile.
Soto-Rifo
Ricardo
R
Ricci
Emiliano P
EP
Ohlmann
Théophile
T
Darlix
Jean-Luc
JL
López-Lastra
Marcelo
M
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D001483:Base Sequence; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006476:Orthohantavirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012315:RNA Caps / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D014162:Transfection
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D012315:RNA Caps; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral