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Human cytomegalovirus TRS1 protein associates with the 7‐methylguanosine mRNA cap and facilitates translation
Author(s) -
Ziehr Benjamin,
Lenarcic Erik,
Vincent Heather A.,
Cecil Chad,
Garcia Benjamin,
Shenk Thomas,
Moorman Nathaniel J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
proteomics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.26
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1615-9861
pISSN - 1615-9853
DOI - 10.1002/pmic.201400616
Subject(s) - protein kinase r , translation (biology) , biology , protein biosynthesis , internal ribosome entry site , messenger rna , untranslated region , five prime untranslated region , human cytomegalovirus , rna , eukaryotic translation , three prime untranslated region , eif4e , viral protein , virology , initiation factor , microbiology and biotechnology , protein kinase a , virus , gene , kinase , genetics , cyclin dependent kinase 2
Viruses rely on the host translation machinery for the synthesis of viral proteins. Human cells have evolved sensors that recognize viral RNAs and inhibit mRNA translation in order to limit virus replication. Understanding how viruses manipulate the host translation machinery to gain access to ribosomes and disable the antiviral response is therefore a critical aspect of the host/pathogen interface. In this study, we used a proteomics approach to identify human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) proteins that might contribute to viral mRNA translation. The HCMV TRS1 protein (pTRS1) associated with the 7‐methylguanosine mRNA cap, increased the total level of protein synthesis, and colocalized with mRNAs undergoing translation initiation during infection. pTRS1 stimulated translation of a nonviral reporter gene and increased the translation of a reporter containing an HCMV 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) to a greater extent. The preferential effect of pTRS1 on translation of an mRNA containing a viral 5′UTR required the pTRS1 RNA and double‐stranded RNA‐dependent protein kinase (PKR)‐binding domains, and was likely the result of PKR inhibition. However, pTRS1 also stimulated the total level of protein synthesis and translation directed by an HCMV 5′UTR in cells lacking PKR. Thus our results demonstrate that pTRS1 stimulates translation through both PKR‐dependent and PKR‐independent mechanisms.