The Signal Peptide of a Simple Retrovirus Envelope Functions as a Posttranscriptional Regulator of Viral Gene Expression

Caporale, M., Arnaud, F., Mura, M., Golder, M., Murgia, C. and Palmarini, M. (2009) The Signal Peptide of a Simple Retrovirus Envelope Functions as a Posttranscriptional Regulator of Viral Gene Expression. Journal of Virology, 83(9), pp. 4591-4604. (doi: 10.1128/JVI.01833-08)

Abstract

Retroviruses use different strategies to regulate transcription and translation and exploit the cellular machinery involved in these processes. This study shows that the signal peptide of the envelope glycoprotein (Env) of Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) plays a major role in posttranscriptional viral gene expression. Expression of the JSRV Env in trans increases viral particle production by mechanisms dependent on (i) its leader sequence, (ii) an intact signal peptide cleavage site, (iii) a cis-acting RNA-responsive element located in the viral genome, (iv) Crm1, and (v) B23. The signal peptide of the JSRV Env (JSE-SP) is 80 amino acid residues in length and contains putative nuclear localization and export signals, in addition to an arginine-rich RNA binding motif. JSE-SP localizes both in the endoplasmic reticulum and in the nucleus, where it colocalizes with nucleolar markers. JSE-SP is a multifunctional protein, as it moderately enhances nuclear export of unspliced viral mRNA and considerably increases viral particle release by favoring a posttranslational step of the replication cycle

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Palmarini, Professor Massimo and Mura, Dr Manuela and Murgia, Dr Claudio and Caporale, Dr Marco and Arnaud, Mr Frederick and Golder, Mr Matthew
• Authors: Caporale, M., Arnaud, F., Mura, M., Golder, M., Murgia, C., and Palmarini, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: Journal of Virology
• ISSN: 0022-538X