Ribosomal Protein L13 Promotes IRES-Driven Translation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in a Helicase DDX3-Dependent Manner

Accumulating evidence has unveiled the roles of ribosomal proteins (RPs) belonging to the large 60S subunit in regulating selective translation of specific mRNAs. The translation specicity of the large-subunit RPs in this process is thought provoking, given the role they play canonically in catalyzing peptide bond formation. Here, we have identified the ribosomal protein L13 (RPL13) as a critical regulator of IRES-driven translation during FMDV infection. Our study supports a model whereby the FMDV IRESs recruit helicase DDX3 recognizing RPL13 to facilitate IRES-driven translation, with the assistance of eIF3e and eIF3j. A better understanding of these specific interactions surrounding IRES-mediated translation initiation could have important implications for the selective translation of viral mRNA and thus for the development of effective prevention of viral infection.