Host interference with viral gene expression: Mode of action of bacterial factor i

The mechanism of interference with R17 viral RNA expression by a host protein, factor i, was studied. Formation of initiation complexes on native bacteriophage R17 RNA molecules, as well as translation of R17 RNA in vitro, is blocked almost quantitatively by factor i. This inhibition is readily overcome by the addition of excess R17 RNA. Extensive complex formation between factor i and R17 RNA occurs during inhibition of initiation complex formation. Moreover, the extent of inhibition of R17 RNA translation correlates closely with the extent of complex formation between factor i and R17 RNA, and exhibits the same sigmoid concentration dependence on factor i. Although initiation complex formation is totally dependent upon initiation factor IF-3, neither this function of IF-3, nor its ability to prevent the association of 30 S and 50 S ribosomal subunits into single ribosomes, is affected by factor i. IF-3, even when present in tenfold molar excess over factor i, fails to relieve the inhibition of initiation on R17 RNA. It is concluded that factor i is a translational represser acting directly on messenger RNA. It is suggested that this repression is cistron-specific, affecting only viral coat protein synthesis. Messenger RNA discrimination by factor i does not involve initiation factor IF-3.