Structural determinant of human La protein critical for internal initiation of translation of hepatitis C virus RNA.

ABSTRACT: Human La protein has been implicated in facilitating internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Earlier, we demonstrated that the RNA recognition motif (RRM) encompassing residues 112 to 184 of La protein [La (112-184)] interacts with the HCV IRES near the initiator AUG codon. A synthetic peptide, LaR2C (24-mer), derived from La RRM (112-184), retains RNA binding ability, competes with La protein binding to the HCV IRES, and inhibits translation. The peptide interferes with the assembly of 48S complexes, resulting in the accumulation of preinitiation complexes that are incompetent for the 60S ribosomal subunit joining. Here, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the HCV IRES-bound peptide complex revealed putative contact points, mutations tha

SUBMITTER: Mondal T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2583652 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature