Viral initiation of translation

Many viruses have evolved alternative ways to initiate viral mRNA translation, either because the virus shuts off classic host translation, or because the viral RNAs are not classical, i.e. lack a cap or polyadenylation.

Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) are RNA structures that allow cap-independent initiation of translation and are capable of initiating translation in the middle of a messenger RNA. Cripavirus IRES also allow translation initiation at an alanine or glutamine tRNA.

Downstream Hairpin Loop (DLP) are RNA structures that allow initiation of cap-dependent translation in the absence of the initiation factor eIF2, where the initiating methionine tRNA is placed on the ribosome by the DLP structure.

CUG initiation involves initiation with a leucine and is more likely to occur under stress with eIF2 inhibition. .

In VpG initiation, a direct interaction with the 5'-covalently bound protein VPG occurs with EIF4E. This has been described in plants. EIF4E mutations consequently make certain plant varieties resistant to virus infections.