The 3'-terminal hexamer sequence of classical swine fever virus RNA plays a role in negatively regulating the IRES-mediated translation

The 3' untranslated region (UTR) is usually involved in the switch of the translation and replication for a positive-sense RNA virus. To understand the 3' UTR involved in an internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation in Classical swine fever virus (CSFV), we first confirmed the predicted secondary structure (designated as SLI, SLII, SLIII, and SLIV) by enzymatic probing. Using a reporter assay in which the luciferase expression is under the control of CSFV 5' and 3' UTRs, we found that the 3' UTR harbors the positive and negative regulatory elements for translational control. Unlike other stem loops, SLI acts as a repressor for expression of the reporter gene. The negative cis-acting element in SLI is further mapped to the very 3'-end hexamer CGGCCC sequence. Further, the CSFV IRES-mediated translation can be enhanced by the heterologous 3'-ends such as the poly(A) or the 3' UTR of Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Interestingly, such an enhancement was repressed by flanking this hexamer to the end of poly(A) or HCV 3' UTR. After sequence comparison and alignment, we have found that this hexamer sequence could hypothetically base pair with the sequence in the IRES IIId1, the 40 S ribosomal subunit binding site for the translational initiation, located at the 5' UTR. In conclusion, we have found that the 3'-end terminal sequence can play a role in regulating the translation of CSFV.     

IGF2BP1 enhances HCV IRES-mediated translation initiation via the 3′UTR

The positive-strand RNA genome of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) in the 5′untranslated region (5′UTR) and structured sequence elements within the 3′UTR, but no poly(A) tail. Employing a limited set of initiation factors, the HCV IRES coordinates the 5′cap-independent assembly of the 43S pre-initiation complex at an internal initiation codon located in the IRES sequence. We have established a Huh7 cell-derived in vitro translation system that shows a 3′UTR-dependent enhancement of 43S pre-initiation complex formation at the HCV IRES. Through the use of tobramycin (Tob)-aptamer affinity chromatography, we identified the Insulin-like growth factor-II mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) as a factor that interacts with both, the HCV 5′UTR and 3′UTR. We report that IGF2BP1 specifically enhances translation at the HCV IRES, but it does not affect 5′cap-dependent translation. RNA interference against IGF2BP1 in HCV replicon RNA-containing Huh7 cells reduces HCV IRES-mediated translation, whereas replication remains unaffected. Interestingly, we found that endogenous IGF2BP1 specifically co-immunoprecipitates with HCV replicon RNA, the ribosomal 40S subunit, and eIF3. Furthermore eIF3 comigrates with IGF2BP1 in 80S ribosomal complexes when a reporter mRNA bearing both the HCV 5′UTR and HCV 3′UTR is translated. Our data suggest that IGF2BP1, by binding to the HCV 5′UTR and/or HCV 3′UTR, recruits eIF3 and enhances HCV IRES-mediated translation.     

Structure of HCV IRES domain II determined by NMR

Complex RNA structures regulate many biological processes, but are often too large for structure determination by NMR methods. The 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of the hepatitis C viral (HCV) RNA genome contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) that binds to 40S ribosomal subunits with high affinity and specificity to control translation. Domain II of the HCV IRES forms a 25-kDa folded subdomain that may alter ribosome conformation. We report here the structure of domain II as determined using an NMR approach that combines short- and long-range structural data. Domain II adopts a distorted L-shape structure, and its overall shape in the free form is markedly similar to its 40S subunit-bound form; this suggests how domain II may modulate 40S subunit conformation. The results show how NMR can be used for structural analysis of large biological RNAs.     

Alterations to both the Primary and Predicted Secondary Structure of Stem-Loop IIIc of the Hepatitis C Virus 1b 5′ Untranslated Region (5′UTR) Lead to Mutants Severely Defective in Translation Which Cannot Be Complemented in trans by the Wild-Type 5′UTR Sequence

Cap-independent translation of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genomic RNA is mediated by an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) within the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) of the virus RNA. To investigate the effects of alterations to the primary sequence of the 5′UTR on IRES activity, a series of HCV genotype 1b (HCV-1b) variant IRES elements was generated and cloned into a bicistronic reporter construct. Changes from the prototypic HCV-1b 5′UTR sequence were identified at various locations throughout the 5′UTR. The translation efficiencies of these IRES elements were examined by an in vivo transient expression assay in transfected BHK-21 cells and were found to range from 0.4 to 95.8% of the activity of the prototype HCV-1b IRES. Further mutational analysis of the three single-point mutants most severely defective in activity, whose mutations were all located in or near stem-loop IIIc, demonstrated that both the primary sequence and the maintenance of base pairing within this stem structure were critical for HCV IRES function. Complementation studies indicated that defective mutants containing either point mutations or major deletions within the IRES elements could not be complemented in trans by a wild-type IRES.     

Double subgenomic alphaviruses expressing multiple fluorescent proteins using a Rhopalosiphum padi virus internal ribosome entry site element

Double subgenomic Sindbis virus (dsSINV) vectors are widely used for the expression of proteins, peptides, and RNA sequences. These recombinant RNA viruses permit high level expression of a heterologous sequence in a wide range of animals, tissues, and cells. However, the alphavirus genome structure and replication strategy is not readily amenable to the expression of more than one heterologous sequence. The Rhopalosiphum padi virus (RhPV) genome contains two internal ribosome entry site (IRES) elements that mediate cap-independent translation of the virus nonstructural and structural proteins. Most IRES elements that have been characterized function only in mammalian cells but previous work has shown that the IRES element present in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the RhPV genome functions efficiently in mammalian, insect, and plant systems. To determine if the 5' RhPV IRES element could be used to express more than one heterologous sequence from a dsSINV vector, RhPV 5' IRES sequences were placed between genes for two different fluorescent marker proteins in the dsSINV, TE/3'2J/mcs. While mammalian and insect cells infected with recombinant viruses containing the RhPV sequences expressed both fluorescent marker proteins, only single marker proteins were routinely observed in cells infected with dsSINV vectors in which the RhPV IRES had been replaced by a luciferase fragment, an antisense RhPV IRES, or no intergenic sequence. Thus, we report development of a versatile tool for the expression of multiple sequences in diverse cell types.     

The sequence element of the internal ribosome entry site and a 25-kilodalton cellular protein contribute to efficient internal initiation of translation of hepatitis C virus RNA.

Translation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is initiated by internal entry of ribosomes into the 5' noncoding region (NCR). This process depends on genomic elements within the 5' NCR called the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and may involve host factors. The alpha-branch structure (nucleotides 47 to 67) of the HCV IRES is considered a cis-acting element critical for translation initiation because it is indispensable for translation in vitro (S. Fukushi, K. Katayama, C. Kurihara, N. Ishiyama, F. B. Hoshino, T. Ando, and A. Oya, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 199:425-432, 1994). In order to further characterize the function of the alpha-branch, we determined whether sequence exchange within the alpha-branch had any effect on translation initiation. An in vitro translation study revealed that the stem sequences of this region played an important role in efficient IRES function. In addition to several HeLa cell proteins, which had a binding affinity for the 5' NCR, a novel 25-kDa protein that specifically interacted with the HCV IRES was discovered. The binding affinity of the 25-kDa protein for the 5' NCR was correlated with the efficiency of translation initiation of HCV RNA, indicating a critical role for the 25-kDa protein in HCV translation.     

Sequences in the 5′ Nontranslated Region of Hepatitis C Virus Required for RNA Replication

Sequences in the 5' and 3' termini of plus-strand RNA viruses harbor cis-acting elements important for efficient translation and replication. In case of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), a plus-strand RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae, a 341-nucleotide-long nontranslated region (NTR) is located at the 5' end of the genome. This sequence contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) that is located downstream of an about 40-nucleotide-long sequence of unknown function. By using our recently developed HCV replicon system, we mapped and characterized the sequences in the 5' NTR required for RNA replication. We show that deletions introduced into the 5' terminal 40 nucleotides abolished RNA replication but only moderately affected translation. By generating a series of replicons with HCV-poliovirus (PV) chimeric 5' NTRs, we could show that the first 125 nucleotides of the HCV genome are essential and sufficient for RNA replication. However, the efficiency could be tremendously increased upon the addition of the complete HCV 5' NTR. These data show that (i) sequences upstream of the HCV IRES are essential for RNA replication, (ii) the first 125 nucleotides of the HCV 5' NTR are sufficient for RNA replication, but such replicon molecules are severely impaired for multiplication, and (iii) high-level HCV replication requires sequences located within the IRES. These data provide the first identification of signals in the 5' NTR of HCV RNA essential for replication of this virus.     

A conserved helical element is essential for internal initiation of translation of hepatitis C virus RNA.

Translation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is initiated by cap-independent internal ribosome binding to the 5' noncoding region (NCR). To identify the sequences and structural elements within the 5' NCR of HCV RNA that contribute to the initiation of translation, a series of point mutations was introduced within this sequence. Since the pyrimidine-rich tract is considered a characteristic feature of picornavirus internal ribosome entry site (IRES) elements, our mutational analysis focused on two putative pyrimidine tracts (Py-I and Py-II) within the HCV 5' NCR. Translational efficiency of these mutant RNAs was examined by in vitro translation and after RNA transfection into liver-derived cells. Mutational analysis of Py-I (nucleotides 120 to 130), supported by compensatory mutants, demonstrates that the primary sequence of this motif is not important but that a helical structural element associated with this region is critical for HCV IRES function. Mutations in Py-II (nucleotides 191 to 199) show that this motif is dispensable for IRES function as well. Thus, the pyrimidine-rich tract motif, which is considered as an essential element of the picornavirus IRES elements, does not appear to be a functional component of the HCV IRES. Further, the insertional mutagenesis study suggests a requirement for proper spacing between the initiator AUG and the upstream structures of the HCV IRES element for internal initiation of translation.     

Characterization of two distinct RNA domains that regulate translation of the Drosophila gypsy retroelement

The genomic RNA of the gypsy retroelement from Drosophila melanogaster exhibits features similar to other retroviral RNAs because its 5' untranslated (5' UTR) region is unusually long (846 nucleotides) and potentially highly structured. Our initial aim was to search for an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element in the 5' UTR of the gypsy genomic RNA by using various monocistronic and bicistronic RNAs in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate (RRL) system and in cultured cells. Results reported here show that two functionally distinct and independent RNA domains control the production of gypsy encoded proteins. The first domain corresponds to the 5' UTR of the env subgenomic RNA and exhibits features of an efficient IRES (IRES(E)) both in the reticulocyte lysate and in cells. The second RNA domain that encompasses the gypsy insulator can function as an IRES in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate but strongly represses translation in cultured cells. Taken together, these results suggest that expression of the gypsy encoded proteins from the genomic and subgenomic RNAs can be regulated at the level of translation.     

The 5' untranslated region of protein kinase Cdelta directs translation by an internal ribosome entry segment that is most active in densely growing cells and during apoptosis

Protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta) is a member of the PKC family of phospholipid-dependent serine/threonine kinases and is involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Previous studies have suggested that different PKC isoforms might be translationally regulated. We report here that the 395-nt-long 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of PKCdelta is predicted to form very stable secondary structures with free energies (deltaG values) of around -170 kcal/mol. The 5' UTR of PKCdelta can significantly repress luciferase translation in rabbit reticulocyte lysate but does not repress luciferase translation in a number of transiently transfected cell lines. By using a bicistronic luciferase reporter, we show that the 5' UTR of PKCdelta contains a functional internal ribosome entry segment (IRES). The activity of the PKCdelta IRES is greatest in densely growing cells and during apoptosis, when total protein synthesis and levels of full-length eukaryotic initiation factor 4G are reduced. However, the IRES activity of the 5' UTR of PKCdelta is not enhanced during serum starvation, another condition shown to inhibit cap-dependent translation, suggesting that its potency is dependent on specific cellular conditions. Accumulating data suggest that PKCdelta has a function as proliferating cells reach high density and in early and later events of apoptosis. Our studies suggest a mechanism whereby PKCdelta synthesis can be maintained under these conditions when cap-dependent translation is inhibited.     

Long-range RNA-RNA interaction between the 5' nontranslated region and the core-coding sequences of hepatitis C virus modulates the IRES-dependent translation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a positive-sense RNA virus approximately 9600 bases long. An internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) spans the 5' nontranslated region, which is the most conserved and highly structured region of the HCV genome. In this study, we demonstrate that nucleotides 428-442 of the HCV core-coding sequence anneal to nucleotides 24-38 of the 5'NTR, and that this RNA-RNA interaction modulates IRES-dependent translation in rabbit reticulocyte lysate and in HepG2 cells. The inclusion of the core-coding sequence (nucleotides 428-442) significantly suppressed the translational efficiency directed by HCV IRES in dicistronic reporter systems, and this suppression was relieved by site-directed mutations that blocked the long-range interaction between nucleotides 24-38 and 428-442. These findings suggest that the long-range interaction between the HCV 5'NTR and the core-coding nucleotide sequence down-regulate cap-independent translation via HCV IRES. The modulation of protein synthesis by long-range RNA-RNA interaction may play a role in the regulation of viral gene expression.     

miR-122 activates hepatitis C virus translation by a specialized mechanism requiring particular RNA components

In animals, microRNAs (miRNAs) generally repress gene expression by binding to sites in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs. miRNAs have also been reported to repress or activate gene expression by binding to 5'-UTR sites, but the extent of such regulation and the factors that govern these different responses are unknown. Liver-specific miR-122 binds to sites in the 5'-UTR of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and positively regulates the viral life cycle, in part by stimulating HCV translation. Here, we characterize the features that allow miR-122 to activate translation via the HCV 5'-UTR. We find that this regulation is a highly specialized process that requires uncapped RNA, the HCV internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and the 3' region of miR-122. Translation activation does not involve a previously proposed structural transition in the HCV IRES and is mediated by Argonaute proteins. This study provides an important insight into the requirements for the miR-122-HCV interaction, and the broader consequences of miRNAs binding to 5'-UTR sites.     

The 5' untranslated region of Rhopalosiphum padi virus contains an internal ribosome entry site which functions efficiently in mammalian, plant, and insect translation systems

Rhopalosiphum padi virus (RhPV) is one of several picorna-like viruses that infect insects; sequence analysis has revealed distinct differences between these agents and mammalian picornaviruses. RhPV has a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome of about 10 kb; unlike the genomes of Picornaviridae, however, this genome contains two long open reading frames (ORFs). ORF1 encodes the virus nonstructural proteins, while the downstream ORF, ORF2, specifies the structural proteins. Both ORFs are preceded by long untranslated regions (UTRs). The intergenic UTR is known to contain an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) which directs non-AUG-initiated translation of ORF2. We have examined the 5' UTR of RhPV for IRES activity by translating synthetic dicistronic mRNAs containing this sequence in a variety of systems. We now report that the 5' UTR contains an element which directs internal initiation of protein synthesis from an AUG codon in mammalian, plant, and Drosophila in vitro translation systems. In contrast, the encephalomyocarditis virus IRES functions only in the mammalian system. The RhPV 5' IRES element has features in common with picornavirus IRES elements, in that no coding sequence is required for IRES function, but also with cellular IRES elements, as deletion analysis indicates that this IRES element does not have sharply defined boundaries.     

The influence of downstream protein-coding sequence on internal ribosome entry on hepatitis C virus and other flavivirus RNAs

Some studies suggest that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) internal ribosome entry site (IRES) requires downstream 5' viral polyprotein-coding sequence for efficient initiation of translation, but the role of this RNA sequence in internal ribosome entry remains unresolved. We confirmed that the inclusion of viral sequence downstream of the AUG initiator codon increased IRES-dependent translation of a reporter RNA encoding secretory alkaline phosphatase, but found that efficient translation of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) required no viral sequence downstream of the initiator codon. However, deletion of an adenosine-rich domain near the 5' end of the CAT sequence, or the insertion of a small stable hairpin structure (deltaG = -18 kcal/mol) between the HCV IRES and CAT sequences (hpCAT) substantially reduced IRES-mediated translation. Although translation could be restored to both mutants by the inclusion of 14 nt of the polyprotein-coding sequence downstream of the AUG codon, a mutational analysis of the inserted protein-coding sequence demonstrated no requirement for either a specific nucleotide or amino acid-coding sequence to restore efficient IRES-mediated translation to hpCAT. Similar results were obtained with the structurally and phylogenetically related IRES elements of classical swine fever virus and GB virus B. We conclude that there is no absolute requirement for viral protein-coding sequence with this class of IRES elements, but that there is a requirement for an absence of stable RNA structure immediately downstream of the AUG initiator codon. Stable RNA structure immediately downstream of the initiator codon inhibits internal initiation of translation but, in the case of hpCAT, did not reduce the capacity of the RNA to bind to purified 40S ribosome subunits. Thus, stable RNA structure within the 5' proximal protein-coding sequence does not alter the capacity of the IRES to form initial contacts with the 40S subunit, but appears instead to prevent the formation of subsequent interactions between the 40S subunit and viral RNA in the vicinity of the initiator codon that are essential for efficient internal ribosome entry.     

Targeting internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation to block hepatitis C and other RNA viruses

A number of RNA-containing viruses such as hepatitis C (HCV) and poliovirus (PV) that infect human beings and cause serious diseases use a common mechanism for synthesis of viral proteins, termed internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation. This mode of translation initiation involves entry of 40S ribosome internally to the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of viral RNA. Cap-dependent translation of cellular mRNAs, on the other hand, requires recognition of mRNA 5' cap by the translation machinery. In this review, we discuss two inhibitors that specifically inhibit viral IRES-mediated translation without interfering with cellular cap-dependent translation. We present evidence, which suggest that one of these inhibitors, a small RNA (called IRNA) originally isolated from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, inhibits viral IRES-mediated translation by sequestering both noncanonical transacting factors and canonical initiation factors required for IRES-mediated translation. The other inhibitor, a small peptide from the lupus autoantigen La (called LAP), appears to block binding of cellular transacting factors to viral IRES elements. These results suggest that it might be possible to target viral IRES-mediated translation for future development of therapeutic agents effective against a number of RNA viruses including HCV that exclusively use cap-independent translation for synthesis of viral proteins.     

Internal ribosome entry site within hepatitis C virus RNA.

The mechanism of initiation of translation on hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was investigated in vitro. HCV RNA was transcribed from the cDNA that corresponded to nucleotide positions 9 to 1772 of the genome by using phage T7 RNA polymerase. Both capped and uncapped RNAs thus transcribed were active as mRNAs in a cell-free protein synthesis system with lysates prepared from HeLa S3 cells or rabbit reticulocytes, and the translation products were detected by anti-gp35 antibodies. The data indicate that protein synthesis starts at the fourth AUG, which was the initiator AUG at position 333 of the HCV RNA used in this study. Efficiency of translation of the capped methylated RNA appeared to be similar to that of the capped unmethylated RNA. However, a capped methylated RNA showed a much higher activity as mRNA than did the capped unmethylated RNA in rabbit reticulocyte lysates when the RNA lacked a nucleotide sequence upstream of position 267. The results strongly suggest that HCV RNA carries an internal ribosome entry site (IRES). Artificial mono- and dicistronic mRNAs were prepared and used to identify the region that carried the IRES. The results indicate that the sequence between nucleotide positions 101 and 332 in the 5' untranslated region of HCV RNA plays an important role in efficient translation. Our data suggest that the IRES resides in this region of the RNA. Furthermore, an IRES in the group II HCV RNA was found to be more efficient than that in the group I HCV RNA.     

Duck Hepatitis A virus possesses a distinct type IV internal ribosome entry site element of picornavirus

Sequence analysis of duck hepatitis virus type 1 (DHV-1) led to its classification as the only member of a new genus, Avihepatovirus, of the family Picornaviridae, and so was renamed duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV). The 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) plays an important role in translation initiation and RNA synthesis of the picornavirus. Here, we provide evidence that the 651-nucleotide (nt)-long 5' UTR of DHAV genome contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element that functions efficiently in vitro and within BHK cells. Comparative sequence analysis showed that the 3' part of the DHAV 5' UTR is similar to the porcine teschovirus 1 (PTV-1) IRES in sequence and predicted secondary structure. Further mutational analyses of the predicted domain IIId, domain IIIe, and pseudoknot structure at the 3' end of the DHAV IRES support our predicted secondary structure. However, unlike the case for the PTV-1 IRES element, analysis of various deletion mutants demonstrated that the optimally functional DHAV IRES element with a size of approximately 420 nt is larger than that of PTV-1 and contains other peripheral domains (Id and Ie) that do not exist within the type IV IRES elements. The domain Ie, however, could be removed without significant loss of activity. Surprisingly, like the hepatitis A virus (HAV) IRES element, the activity of DHAV IRES could be eliminated by expression of enterovirus 2A protease. These findings indicate that the DHAV IRES shares common features with type IV picornavirus IRES elements, whereas it exhibits significant differences from type IV IRESs. Therefore, we propose that DHAV possesses a distinct type IV IRES element of picornavirus.     

L-Myc protein synthesis is initiated by internal ribosome entry

An internal ribosome entry segment (IRES) has been identified in the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of two members of the myc family of proto-oncogenes, c-myc and N-myc. Hence, the synthesis of c-Myc and N-Myc polypeptides can involve the alternative mechanism of internal initiation. Here, we show that the 5' UTR of L-myc, another myc family member, also contains an IRES. Previous studies have shown that the translation of mRNAs containing the c-myc and N-myc IRESs can involve both cap-dependent initiation and internal initiation. In contrast, the data presented here suggest that internal initiation can account for all of the translation initiation that occurs on an mRNA with the L-myc IRES in its 5' UTR. Like many other cellular IRESs, the L-myc IRES appears to be modular in nature and the entire 5' UTR is required for maximum IRES efficiency. The ribosome entry window within the L-myc IRES is located some distance upstream of the initiation codon, and thus, this IRES uses a "land and scan" mechanism to initiate translation. Finally, we have derived a secondary structural model for the IRES. The model confirms that the L-myc IRES is highly structured and predicts that a pseudoknot may form near the 5' end of the mRNA.