Search
internal ribosome entry site (IRES)
- distinct regions of viral mRNA able to attract the eukaryotic ribosome &, thus, allow translation initiation
- generally located in the 5'UTR of RNA viruses
Function:
- allows for translation initiation in the middle of mRNA
- used by viruses as a means to ensure that viral translation is active during periods of time when host translation is inhibited
General
RNA motif
References
- Wikipedia: Internal ribosome entry site
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_ribosome_entry_site