Translation of hepatitis C viral proteins requires an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) located in the 5' untranslated region of the viral mRNA. The core domain of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) IRES contains a four-way helical junction that is integrated within a predicted pseudoknot. This domain is required for positioning the mRNA start codon correctly on the 40S ribosomal subunit during translation initiation. Here, we present the crystal structure of this RNA, revealing a complex double-pseudoknot fold that establishes the alignment of two helical elements on either side of the four-helix junction. The conformation of this core domain constrains the open reading frame's orientation for positioning on the 40S ribosomal subunit. This structure, representing the last major domain of HCV-like IRESs to be determined at near-atomic resolution, provides the basis for a comprehensive cryoelectron microscopy-guided model of the intact HCV IRES and its interaction with 40S ribosomal subunits.
Crystal structure of the HCV IRES central domain reveals strategy for start-codon positioning.,Berry KE, Waghray S, Mortimer SA, Bai Y, Doudna JA Structure. 2011 Oct 12;19(10):1456-66. PMID:22000514[1]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
↑ Berry KE, Waghray S, Mortimer SA, Bai Y, Doudna JA. Crystal structure of the HCV IRES central domain reveals strategy for start-codon positioning. Structure. 2011 Oct 12;19(10):1456-66. PMID:22000514 doi:10.1016/j.str.2011.08.002
