Dynamic refolding of IFN-γ mRNA enables it to function as PKR activator and translation template

Interferon-γ mRNA activates the RNA-dependent protein kinase PKR, which in turn strongly attenuates translation of interferon-γ mRNA. Unlike riboswitches restricted to noncoding regions, the interferon-γ RNA domain that activates PKR comprises the 5′ UTR and 26 translated codons. Extensive interferon-γ coding sequence is thus dedicated to activating PKR and blocking interferon-γ synthesis. This implies that the PKR activator is disrupted by ribosomes during translation initiation and must refold promptly to restore PKR activation. The activator structure harbors an essential kink-turn, probably to allow formation of a pseudoknot that is critical for PKR activation. Three indispensable short helices, bordered by orientation-sensitive base pairs, align with the pseudoknot stem, generating RNA helix of sufficient length to activate PKR. Through gain-of-function mutations, we show that the RNA activator can adopt alternative conformations that activate PKR. This flexibility promotes efficient refolding of interferon-γ mRNA, which is necessary for its dual function as translation template and activator of PKR, and which thus prevents overexpression of this inflammatory cytokine.