Viral and cellular mRNA-specific activators harness PABP and eIF4G to promote translation initiation downstream of cap binding.

ABSTRACT: Regulation of mRNA translation is a major control point for gene expression and is critical for life. Of central importance is the complex between cap-bound eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), eIF4G, and poly(A) tail-binding protein (PABP) that circularizes mRNAs, promoting translation and stability. This complex is often targeted to regulate overall translation rates, and also by mRNA-specific translational repressors. However, the mechanisms of mRNA-specific translational activation by RNA-binding proteins remain poorly understood. Here, we address this deficit, focusing on a herpes simplex virus-1 protein, ICP27. We reveal a direct interaction with PABP that is sufficient to promote PABP recruitment and necessary for ICP27-mediated activation. PABP binds several translation factors

SUBMITTER: Smith RWP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5474791 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature