Novel viral translation strategies. (8th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Au, Hilda HT; Jan, Eric
• Is Part Of: Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Volume 5:Number 6(2014:Nov./Dec.)
• Page Start: 779
• Page End: 801
• Publication Date: 2014-07-08
• Subjects: RNA -- Periodicals; 572.8805
• DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1246
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-7004

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="wrna1246-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p id="wrna1246-para-0001">Viral genomes are compact and encode a limited number of proteins. Because they do not encode components of the translational machinery, viruses exhibit an absolute dependence on the host ribosome and factors for viral messenger RNA (mRNA) translation. In order to recruit the host ribosome, viruses have evolved unique strategies to either outcompete cellular transcripts that are efficiently translated by the canonical translation pathway or to reroute translation factors and ribosomes to the viral genome. Furthermore, viruses must evade host antiviral responses and escape immune surveillance. This review focuses on some recent major findings that have revealed unconventional strategies that viruses utilize, which include usurping the host translational machinery, modulating canonical translation initiation factors to specifically enhance or repress overall translation for the purpose of viral production, and increasing viral coding capacity. The discovery of these diverse viral strategies has provided insights into additional translational control mechanisms and into the viral host interactions that ensure viral protein synthesis and replication. <italic>WIREs RNA</italic> 2014, 5:779–801. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1246</p> <p>For further resources related to this article, please visit the <ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://wires.wiley.com/remdoi.cgi?doi=10.1002/wrna.1246" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">WIREs website</ext-link>.</p> <p id="wrna1246-para-0002">Conflict of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article.</p> </abstract>