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Review
. 2001 Oct;2(10):893-8.
doi: 10.1093/embo-reports/kve208.

Irresistible IRES. Attracting the translation machinery to internal ribosome entry sites

S Vagner  1 , B Galy, S Pyronnet
Affiliations
Review

Irresistible IRES. Attracting the translation machinery to internal ribosome entry sites

S Vagner et al. EMBO Rep. 2001 Oct.

Abstract

Studies on the control of eukaryotic translation initiation by a cap-independent recruitment of the 40S ribosomal subunit to internal messenger RNA sequences called internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) have shown that these sequence elements are present in a growing list of viral and cellular RNAs. Here we discuss their prevalence, mechanisms whereby they may function and their uses in regulating gene expression.

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Figures

None
Fig. 1. Mechanisms of ribosome recruitment to mRNAs. In the cap- and poly(A) tail-mediated mechanism, the eIF4F complex (composed of eIF4E, eIF4G and eIF4A) targets the eIF3-associated 40S ribosomal subunit to the mRNA 5′ end. The cap and the poly(A) tail act synergistically through the interaction between eIF4G and PABP. In the IRES-mediated mechanism, the 40S ribosomal subunit can interact with mRNAs, even in the absence of canonical translation initiation factors. Green arrows indicate direct or indirect [through ITAFs(IRES trans-acting factors)] interactions between IRES elements and the translation initiation machinery identified thus far.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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