Work

Reinitiation after Translation of Two Upstream Open Reading Frames (ORF) Governs Expression of the ORF35-37 Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Polycistronic mRNA

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: The Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) ORF36 protein kinase is translated as a downstream gene from the ORF35-37 polycistronic mRNA via a unique mechanism involving short upstream open reading frames (uORFs) located in the 5' untranslated region. Here, we confirm that ORF35-37 is functionally dicistronic during infection and demonstrate that mutation of the dominant uORF restricts KSHV replication. Leaky scanning past the uORFs facilitates ORF35 expression, while a reinitiation mechanism after translation of the uORFs enables ORF36 expression.

Source: Journal of Virology

DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00202-14

Authors: Lisa M. Kronstad, Kevin F. Brulois, Jae U. Jung, Britt A. Glaunsinger

Institutions: University of California, Berkeley, University of Southern California

Language: English

Topic: RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research