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

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2009 Nov;81(5):817-24. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2009.08-0595.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

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

Substances

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