Functional structure of internal ribosomal entry site in an RNA mycovirus

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H06276
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Applied molecular and cellular biology
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: CHIBA SOTARO 名古屋大学, アジアサテライトキャンパス学院(農), 特任准教授 (70754521)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-08-28 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 菌類ウイルス / RNAウイルス / ハイポウイルス / IRES / 翻訳開始 / レポーターアッセイ / RNA高次構造

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) recruits factors involved in translation initiation complex via specific RNA folding structures in a cap-independent manner. Some animal and plant viruses are known to use this machinery for their protein production. In this study, we developed an assay system for investigating IRES activity in filamentous fungi and discovered that fungal viruses (mycoviruses) holding IRES elements are present, for the first time. By taking mutagenesis approach, important RNA sequences and potential structures were identified from 5’ untranslated region of genomic RNA of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1, Hypoviridae) which is a representative of mycoviruses. Interestingly, the functional IRES needed a part of coding region of CHV1 p29, the most upstream open reading frame for multifunctional RNA silencing suppressor.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学