Translational regulation by the 3' untranslated region of the dengue type 2 virus genome.

Abstract

The role of the 3'untranslated region (UTR) of the dengue virus (DENV) genome during viral translation remains to be elucidated. We assessed the contribution of well-defined RNA elements in the 3'UTR of DENV-2 to viral translation using a virus-induced reporting gene system and deoxyribozymes (DRzs) targeting the 3'UTR of the DENV-2 genome. Results show that mRNAs carrying a deletion of repeated conserved sequence (RCS2)-CS2 are translated less efficiently than wild type mRNAs. However, mRNAs with a deletion of CS1-stem loop (SL) are translated more efficiently. Thus, CS1-SL and RCS2-CS2 may have different effects on translational regulation. Additionally, the translation-suppressing effect of CS1-SL or the SL element is further confirmed in DENV-2-infected cells using DRzs. Mutagenesis studies show that, rather than the secondary structure, nucleotides 10663-10677 and 10709-10723 are responsible for translational suppression of SL. Overall, our results demonstrate that sequences and elements within the DENV-2 3'UTR regulate viral translation.

• Authors: Yan Wei, Chengfeng Qin, Tao Jiang, Xiaofeng Li, Hui Zhao, Zhongyu Liu, Yongqiang Deng, Ran Liu, Shuiping Chen, Man Yu, Ede Qin
• Journal: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene (Am J Trop Med Hyg) Vol. 81 Issue 5 Pg. 817-24 (Nov 2009) ISSN: 1476-1645 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19861617 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• 3' Untranslated Regions
• RNA, Messenger
• RNA, Viral

Topics

• 3' Untranslated Regions (physiology)
• Animals
• Cell Line
• Cricetinae
• Dengue Virus (classification, genetics)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Viral (physiology)
• Genome, Viral
• Protein Biosynthesis
• RNA, Messenger (genetics, metabolism)
• RNA, Viral (genetics, metabolism)