Sequences in the 5' non-coding region of human rhinovirus 14 RNA that affect in vitro translation.

A subgenomic cDNA clone from human rhinovirus 14 (HRV-14), comprising the 5' non-coding region and the first 1182 nucleotides of the coding sequence, has been inserted into a vector under the control of the T7 promoter, and RNA was transcribed. Deletions in the 5' non-coding sequence modulated viral polyprotein synthesis significantly in a reticulocyte lysate system. Removal of the first 491 nucleotides had little effect, but deletion of a further 55 nucleotides (491 to 546) significantly increased the efficiency of the translation process. Further deletion to nucleotide 621 almost abolished translation, suggesting an essential role for the 546 to 621 nucleotide sequence. The efficiency of the translation process can also be influenced by the addition of ribosomal salt wash prepared from uninfected HeLa cells.