The La antigen binds 5' noncoding region of the hepatitis C virus RNA in the context of the initiator AUG codon and stimulates internal ribosome entry site-mediated translation

摘要

Translation initiation of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA genome occurs through an internal ribosome entry site in a cap-independent manner. Here, we have exam- ined the interaction between La antigen and the HCV 5' noncoding region (5'NCR). In this analysis, competitor RNAs derived from HCV 5'NCR carrying deletions and a point mutation were used to identify the site(s) of La antigen binding during UV cross-linking assay. These studies suggest that La antigen recognizes the intact HCV 5'NCR structure. Further, these interactions occurred in the context of the initiator AUG.