Regulation of protein translation through mRNA structure influences MHC class I loading and T cell recognition.

ABSTRACT: Many viruses avoid immune surveillance during latent infection through reduction in the synthesis of virally encoded proteins. Although antigen presentation critically depends on the level of viral protein synthesis, the precise mechanism used to regulate the generation of antigenic peptide precursors remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that a purine overloaded virally encoded mRNA lacking secondary structure significantly impacts the efficiency of protein translation and prevents endogenous antigen presentation. Reducing this purine bias through the generation of constructs expressing codon-modified sequences, while maintaining the encoded protein sequence, increased the stem-loop structure of the corresponding mRNA and dramatically enhanced self-synthesis of the viral protein. As a con

SUBMITTER: Tellam J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2453702 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature