Abstract
Understanding of the full potential of the genome coding capacity demands a deep knowledge of the different pathways that control gene expression. Translation initiation in eukaryotic mRNAs is a highly regulated process that accounts for the last step of gene expression control. While most mRNAs initiate translation using the AUG triplet closest to the 5end, a growing number of mRNAs appear to follow different rules, giving rise to proteins that differ in their amino terminus. Internal ribosome entry site (IRES) elements provide an alternative to initiate translation that allow the use of internal start codons, sometimes located several hundred of residues away from the 5end of the mRNA, bypassing strong RNA structures. Therefore, they represent a strategy to increase genetic diversity without increasing genome length. The IRES sequences found in viral and cellular mRNAs do not show overall sequence similarity, albeit they perform a similar function. IRES elements in viral mRNAs constitute an efficient method to distinguish its own mRNA from that of the host, and thus facilitate its survival when cellular protein synthesis is impaired. Viral IRES exploit different strategies to recruit the translational machinery, including direct ribosome binding, eIF3 or eIF4G-mediated mechanism. Cellular IRES mediated-translation represents a regulatory mechanism that helps the cell to cope with transient stress. They may be grouped according to common tropism, stimulation by similar situations and expression of specific targets in differentiated cells. Protein mediated-ribosome binding is likely to enhance the efficiency of cellular IRES sequences under specific environments. This review is focused to discuss recent advances on functional IRES elements.
Keywords: mrna, ires, protein synthesis, new orfs, genetic diversity, eukaryotic genomes
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Current Genomics in Cardiovascular Research
Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the world, in recent years we have had important advances in the interaction between cardiovascular disease and genomics. In this Research Topic, we intend for researchers to present their results with a focus on basic, translational and clinical investigations associated with ...read more
Deep learning in Single Cell Analysis
The field of biology is undergoing a revolution in our ability to study individual cells at the molecular level, and to integrate data from multiple sources and modalities. This has been made possible by advances in technologies for single-cell sequencing, multi-omics profiling, spatial transcriptomics, and high-throughput imaging, as well as ...read more
New insights on Pediatric Tumors and Associated Cancer Predisposition Syndromes
Because of the broad spectrum of children cancer susceptibility, the diagnosis of cancer risk syndromes in children is rarely used in direct cancer treatment. The field of pediatric cancer genetics and genomics will only continue to expand as a result of increasing use of genetic testing tools. It's possible that ...read more
Related Journals
Related Books
.jpeg)
1st Biotechnology World Congress - 2012
Decolorization by Thanatephorus Cucumeris Dec 1
Industrial Applications of Soil Microbes
The Future of Agriculture: IoT, AI and Blockchain Technology for Sustainable Farming
Handbook of Integrated Weed Management for Major Field Crops
Practical Biochemistry
Anticancer Drugs Sourced from Marine Life
Opportunities for Biotechnology Research and Entrepreneurship
Diseases of Ornamental, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants
Diabetes and Breast Cancer: An Analysis of Signaling Pathways
1