RNA-protein interactome reveals essential roles of RPL5 and RNA helicase A in mediating translation from the Hepatitis E virus internal ribosome entry site-like element

Multiple processes exist in a cell to ensure continuousproduction of essential proteins either through cap-dependent or cap-independent translation processes. Viruses depend on the host translation machinery for viral protein synthesis. Therefore, viruses have evolved clever strategies to utilize the host translation machinery. Earlier studies have shown that genotype1 hepatitis E virus (g1-HEV) utilizes both cap-dependent and cap-independent translation machineries for its replication and proliferation. Cap-independent translation in g1-HEV is driven by an eighty seven nucleotide-long RNA element which acts as a noncanonical, internal ribosome entry site like (IRESl) element. Here, we have identified the RNA-protein interactome of the HEV IRESl element and characterized the functional significance of some of its components. Our study reveals indispensable roles of host ribosomal proteinRPL5 and DHX9 (RNA helicase A) in mediating efficient translation from the IRESlelement and establish the function of HEV IRESl as a bonafide internal ribosome entry site.