University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Characterization of features of the initiation of translation of satellite tobacco necrosis virus RNA

Riegel, Christopher Isaac

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Description

Title
Characterization of features of the initiation of translation of satellite tobacco necrosis virus RNA
Author(s)
Riegel, Christopher Isaac
Issue Date
1991
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Clark, John M., Jr.
Department of Study
Biochemistry
Discipline
Biochemistry
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Biology, Molecular
  • Agriculture, Plant Pathology
  • Chemistry, Biochemistry
Language
eng
Abstract
The translation of Satellite Tobacco Necrosis Virus (STNV) RNA has been shown to initiate efficiently in the absence of a cap structure and in the absence of an AUG initiation codon. These unusual characteristics of STNV RNA were shown to reside in the 5$\sp\prime$-untranslated region by replacing these upstream sequences with either a random sequence or the 5$\sp\prime$-untranslated region of brome mosaic virus RNA 4. Such a replacement caused a loss of translation when the mutant RNA was made without a cap. STNV RNA may have a unique 18S ribosomal RNA hybridization site that allows internal initiation of translation to occur. This site was tested by inserting a translation initiation codon upstream of the internal initiation site. Interestingly, the initiation of translation of these mutant RNAs occurs at the upstream site. To explain these results, a possible mechanism involving the internal initiation site is proposed. STNV RNA binds at the 18S rRNA hybridization site and translation initiates at the normal internal initiation codon. This first ribosome binding frees the upstream site from secondary structure allowing all subsequent ribosomes to initiate translation at the upstream AUG codon.
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/22986
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1991 Riegel, Christopher Isaac

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Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois
Dissertations and Theses - Biochemistry