The Andes hantavirus NSs protein is expressed from the viral small mRNA by a leaky scanning mechanism

J Virol. 2012 Feb;86(4):2176-87. doi: 10.1128/JVI.06223-11. Epub 2011 Dec 7.

Abstract

The small mRNA (SmRNA) of all Bunyaviridae encodes the nucleocapsid (N) protein. In 4 out of 5 genera in the Bunyaviridae, the smRNA encodes an additional nonstructural protein denominated NSs. In this study, we show that Andes hantavirus (ANDV) SmRNA encodes an NSs protein. Data show that the NSs protein is expressed in the context of an ANDV infection. Additionally, our results suggest that translation initiation from the NSs initiation codon is mediated by ribosomal subunits that have bypassed the upstream N protein initiation codon through a leaky scanning mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Hantavirus Infections / virology*
  • Humans
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Orthohantavirus / genetics*
  • Orthohantavirus / metabolism
  • Peptide Chain Initiation, Translational*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins