Differential contribution of the m7G-cap to the 5' end-dependent translation initiation of mammalian mRNAs.

ABSTRACT: Many mammalian mRNAs possess long 5' UTRs with numerous stem-loop structures. For some of them, the presence of Internal Ribosome Entry Sites (IRESes) was suggested to explain their significant activity, especially when cap-dependent translation is compromised. To test this hypothesis, we have compared the translation initiation efficiencies of some cellular 5' UTRs reported to have IRES-activity with those lacking IRES-elements in RNA-transfected cells and cell-free systems. Unlike viral IRESes, the tested 5' UTRs with so-called 'cellular IRESes' demonstrate only background activities when placed in the intercistronic position of dicistronic RNAs. In contrast, they are very active in the monocistronic context and the cap is indispensable for their activities. Surprisingly, in cultured cel

SUBMITTER: Andreev DE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2764426 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature