Characterization of a low-molecular-weight virus-associated (VA) RNA encoded by simian adenovirus type 7 which functionally can substitute for adenovirus type 5 VA RNAI.

Human adenoviruses (Ads), like Ad type 2 (Ad2) and Ad5, encode a low-molecular-weight RNA (designated virus-associated [VA] RNAI) which is required for the efficient translation of viral mRNAs late after infection. We cloned and characterized a VA RNA gene from simian adenovirus type 7 (SA7) which appears to have biological activity analogous to that of Ad2 VA RNAI. Thus, SA7 VA RNA stimulates protein synthesis in a transient expression assay and can also functionally substitute for VA RNAI during lytic growth of human Ad5. The SA7 genome encodes only one VA RNA species, in contrast to human Ad2, which encodes two distinct species. This RNA is transcribed by RNA polymerase III in the rightward direction from a gene located at about coordinate 30 on the viral genome, like its Ad2 counterparts. SA7 VA RNA shows only a limited primary sequence homology with the Ad2 VA RNAs (approximately 55%); the flanking sequences, in fact, are better conserved than the VA RNA gene itself. The predicted secondary structure of SA7 VA RNA is, however, very similar to that of Ad2 VA RNAI, inferring that the double-stranded nature rather than the primary sequence of VA RNA is important for its biological activity.