The Andes hantavirus NSs protein is expressed from the viral small mRNA by a leaky scanning mechanism

Jorge Vera-Otarola, Loretto Solis, Ricardo Soto-Rifo, Emiliano P. Ricci, Karla Pino, Nicole D. Tischler, Théophile Ohlmann, Jean Luc Darlix, Marcelo López-Lastra*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

The small mRNA (SmRNA) of all Bunyaviridae encodes the nucleocapsid (N) protein. In 4 out of 5 genera in the Bunyaviridae, the smRNA encodes an additional nonstructural protein denominated NSs. In this study, we show that Andes hantavirus (ANDV) SmRNA encodes an NSs protein. Data show that the NSs protein is expressed in the context of an ANDV infection. Additionally, our results suggest that translation initiation from the NSs initiation codon is mediated by ribosomal subunits that have bypassed the upstream N protein initiation codon through a leaky scanning mechanism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2176-2187
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Virology
Volume86
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Insect Science
  • Virology

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