[Internal initiation of translation in eukaryotes. Chemical probing of the encephalomyocarditis virus RNA IRES-element in the 48S preinitiation complex].

Using in vitro T7 polymerase system, the transcript containing the IRES-element (nts 315-833), and the initial part of the coding sequence of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) RNA (nts 834-1155) was prepared. Its complex with the 40S ribosomal subunit (48S preinitiation complex) was then isolated by sucrose gradient sedimentation from ascites carcinoma Krebs2 cell extracts after preincubation with the transcript. The complex was treated with dimethylsulphate (DMS), a common reagent for chemical probing of A and C residues in single-stranded RNA regions. The modified nucleotides were identified by primer extension inhibition analysis in reverse transcription reaction. The pattern of modification of the 48S complex was compared with that for the corresponding free mRNP. Multiple protection of A residues against DMS modification was found in the domains of the IRES-element proximal to the initiation AUG codon (nt 834-836). The mechanism of internal translational initiation of EMCV RNA and other picornaviral RNAs is discussed.