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Programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting in the SARS coronavirus

F Dos Ramos1, M Carrasco, T Doyle

  • 1Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Box 157, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK. fjd24@cam.ac.uk

Biochemical Society Transactions
|October 28, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting is a key translation mechanism for coronaviruses. This review details mRNA motifs critical for frameshifting in the novel coronavirus causing severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Virology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting is an alternative translation mechanism used by coronaviruses.
  • This process synthesizes essential viral replication proteins from overlapping open reading frames.
  • The precise contribution of mRNA cis-acting stimulatory structures to frameshifting remains incompletely understood for many coronaviruses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and describe the mRNA motifs involved in programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting.
  • To focus on the novel coronavirus identified as the causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on coronavirus translation and frameshifting.
  • Analysis of characterized mRNA motifs and their proposed roles in frameshifting.
  • Focus on structural and sequence elements within the viral mRNA.

Main Results:

  • Identification and description of specific mRNA motifs implicated in programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting.
  • Highlighting the importance of these motifs for efficient viral protein synthesis.
  • Contextualizing these findings within the SARS-causing coronavirus.

Conclusions:

  • Specific mRNA motifs play a crucial role in regulating programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting in coronaviruses.
  • Understanding these motifs is vital for comprehending viral replication strategies.
  • Further research into these elements could inform therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV.

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