The hepatitis C virus internal ribosome-entry site: a new target for antiviral research |
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Authors: | Gallego J Varani G |
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Affiliation: | MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QH, U.K. jgs@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk |
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Abstract: | The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main causative agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis in humans and a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. Currently there is no effective treatment available for the infection caused by this virus, whose replication depends on an unusual translation-initiation mechanism. The viral RNA contains an internal ribosome-entry site (IRES) that is recognized specifically by the small ribosomal subunit and by eukaryotic initiation factor 3, and these interactions allow cap (7-methyl-guanine nucleotide)-independent initiation of viral protein synthesis. In this article, we review the structure and mechanism of translation initiation of the HCV IRES, and its potential as a target for novel antivirals. |
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