Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Virginia, 2007. / Title from title page. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online through Digital Dissertations.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a member of the genus Avulavirus of the Paramyxoviridaefamily of enveloped negative-stranded RNA viruses. The virus causes respiratory, neurological, or enteric disease in many species of birds, resulting in significant losses to the poultry industry worldwide. Strains of the virus are classified into three pathotypes based on the severity of disease in chickens. Avirulent strains that produce mild or asymptomatic infections are termed lentogenic, whereas virulent strains are termed velogenic. Strains of intermediate virulence are termed mesogenic. The envelope of NDV virions contains two types of glycoproteins, the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) proteins. HN mediates three functions: 1) virus attachment to sialic acid-containing receptors; 2) neuraminidase activity that cleaves sialic acid from progeny virions to prevent self-aggregation; and, 3) complementation of the F protein in the promotion of fusion. Though it is widely accepted that cleavage of a fusion protein precursor is the primary determinant of NDV virulence, it is not the sole determinant. At least two other proteins, HN and the V protein, contribute to virulence. The V protein possesses interferon (IFN) antagonistic activity. The long-range goal of these studies is to understand the roles of HN and V in the differential virulence patterns exhibited by members of the NDV serotype. The first aim is to compare the IFN antagonistic activity of the V protein from a lentogenic and a mesogenic strain of the virus. The results of this study demonstrate that the V protein of the mesogenic strain Beaudette C (BC) exhibits greater IFN antagonistic activity than that of the lentogenic strain La Sota. Hence, the IFN antagonistic activities of the two V proteins correlate with their known virulence properties. Comparison of the C-terminal regions of La Sota and BC V proteins revealed four amino acid differences. The results demonstrate that the IFN antagonistic activity of La Sota V increases when any one of these residues is mutated to the corresponding residue in BC V. Conversely, the IFN antagonistic activity of BC V decreases when any one of these four residues is mutated to the corresponding residue in La Sota V. However, no single residue accounts for the difference in IFN antagonistic activity between the two V proteins. Also, analysis of La Sota V and BC V proteins with multiple mutations in these positions revealed that the four residues are collectively responsible for the difference in the IFN antagonistic activity of the two V proteins. Finally, characterization of chimeric La Sota/BC V proteins showed that the N-terminal region also contributes to the IFN antagonistic activity of V. Contrary to an earlier report, results described here demonstrate that the NDV V protein does not target STAT1 for degradation. However, both La Sota and BC V proteins target interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-7 for degradation and promote the conversion of full-length IRF-7 to a lower molecular weight form (IRF-7*). This is the first demonstration that IRF-7 is targeted by a paramyxovirus V protein. The amount of IRF-7* decreases in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of a proteasome inhibitor, suggesting that IRF-7* is a degradation product of IRF-7. Furthermore, the BC V protein promotes complete conversion of IRF-7 to IRF7*, whereas the La Sota V protein does so less efficiently. Again, this is consistent with the difference in IFN antagonistic activity of the two V proteins, and in turn, with their virulence. The second aim is to characterize an HN-specific monoclonal antibody called AVS-I. A previous study suggested that AVS-I recognizes an epitope that is conserved in lentogenic strains and raises the possibility that this epitope may colocalize with a determinant of virulence in HN. To further characterize antibody AVS-I and the epitope it recognizes, we (i) determined its specificity for several additional strains of the virus, (ii) mapped its binding to HN in competition with our own antibodies, (iii) determined its functional inhibition profile, and (iv) isolated and sequenced an AVS-I escape mutant. The results demonstrate that AVS-I binds to a conformational epitope at the carboxy terminus of HN. This suggests that this region of HN may define a determinant of virulence. However, it was also shown that AVS-I, which was previously thought to be specific for avirulent strains of NDV, actually recognizes individual mesogenic and velogenic strains. In conclusion, the data presented in this dissertation contributes to a greater understanding of the molecular basis for NDV virulence and may aid in development of antiviral strategies and generation of recombinant NDVs suitable for use in cancer and gene therapy.

Measles (MV) virions, like those of other enveloped viruses, enter cells by fusing their lipid membranes with those of the target host cells. Additionally, infected tissues often possess giant multinucleate cells, known as syncytia, which are formed by fusion of infected cells with uninfected neighbors. Expression of both the MV attachment (H) and fusion (F) proteins is required for membrane fusion. MV H mediates receptor binding in order to bring the two membranes into close proximity prior to F activation and is thought to trigger F activation through a specific interaction between the two proteins. Although measles H and F are efficiently transported to the cell surface when expressed independently, evidence has been reported in support of an intracellular interaction between the two proteins that can be detected using an ER co-retention approach. However, it was not determined if the putative co-retention was specific to the two measles glycoproteins, as is their ability to complement each other for efficient fusion promotion. Thus, in this thesis, the formation of an intracellular complex between MV H and F was re-examined. Consistent with the formation of an intracellular complex, cell surface expression and receptor binding of untagged wt MV H is slightly reduced by co-expression of an excess of ER-tagged MV F compared to co-expression with wt F. However, the reduction in surface expression is non-specific in that it can also be induced with heterologous proteins of NDV, which lack significant homology with those of MV. Although this approach did not detect a specific intracellular interaction between MV H and F, it cannot be ruled out that there is a weak association of the proteins that is undetectable by this method. This led to the use of an alternative approach to investigate the cellular site(s) of interaction between the measles H and F proteins. Consistent with a cell surface interaction between MV H and F, the combination of surface biotinylation and co-immunoprecipitation detects formation of a virus-specific H-F complex. Approximately, 21% of the total amount of MV H at the cell surface can be captured with MV F using an antibody against the latter protein. Two complementary approaches were used to address the relationship between this cell surface interaction and receptor recognition by MV H. First, the proteins were co-immunoprecipitated from the surface of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, which do not express either MV receptor, CD46 or CD150. Similar levels of MV H can be co-immunoprecipitated with F from the surfaces of parental CHO cells and stably transfected cells that express, human CD46 (CHO-CD46), indicating that binding to CD46 is not the trigger for the H-F interaction. Second, MV H proteins, carrying mutations that dramatically reduce CD46 binding, were shown to co-immunoprecipitate efficiently with F from the surface of HeLa cells. Significantly, these results indicate that MV H and F interact in the absence of, and thus prior to, receptor binding. This is in direct contrast to the NDV HN-F cell surface interaction, which is thought to be triggered by receptor binding. Identification of the domains of the para myxovirus attachment and fusion proteins that mediate membrane fusion activities is an essential part of understanding the mechanism of fusion. As a result of the H-F interaction prior to receptor binding, MV H attachment to its cellular receptor must result in conformational changes that trigger activation of the F protein. Site-directed mutagenesis analyses of two regions of MV H indicate that a HR domain in the stalk of the attachment protein is essential to the ability of H to activate F. However, either it is not the only region of H that interacts with F or it is indirectly involved in F activation because mutations in the HR do not disrupt MV H-F complex formation at the cell surface. Additionally, the functional interaction between MV H and F may be mediated, at least in part, by Loop 1 of the amino terminus of the C-rich region of the fusion protein. However, the exact role of this region of the F protein in fusion promotion remains to be determined. Importantly, the cell surface interaction between MV H and F proteins appears to be mediated by more that one region of each protein. In contrast to NDV, in no case has a definitive link between any single amino acid difference in MV H or F and an inability to form the cell surface H-F complex been established. In conclusion, the data presented in this dissertation support a model of measles membrane fusion in which the Hand F proteins form a complex prior to receptor recognition. This complex may hold F in its meta-stable pre-fusion state until binding of H to receptors at the cell surface triggers dissociation of the complex, releasing F to assume its fusogenic form. Importantly, these data also indicate that, although paramyxoviruses may all use the same general process. for promotion of membrane fusion, the mechanism may vary in multiple aspects. A more complete understanding of the means by which measles promotes membrane fusion may direct the development of specific strategies aimed at interfering with the early stages of infection.

Les protéines intrinsèquement désordonnées sont caractérisées par un manque de structure 3D stable et sont biologiquements actives dans cet état. La spectroscopie RMN est la méthode de choix pour leurs études à une résolution atomiques, car la cristallographie aux rayons X ne permet pas leur étude en raison de leur caractère hautement dynamique.Cependant, l'étude par spectroscopie RMN de ces protéines est difficiles à cause du grand nombre de recouvrement entre les signaux dans le spectre résultant de l'absence d'un réseau de liaison hydrogène qui pourrait stabiliser la structure et permettre d'obtenir une dispersion des signaux plus élevé. Un autre problème est la sensibilité expérimentale car souvent le temps de mesure est limité en raison de leur prédisposition à la dégradation protéolytique. Dans la première partie de cette thèse les protéines intrinsèquement désordonnées sont introduites. La deuxième partie porte sur la spectroscopie RMN des protéines intrinsèquement désordonnées, des expériences RMN de type BEST-TROSY sont présentées et sont montrées comme étant bien adapté pour l'étude de protéines intrinsèquement désordonnées, en particulier pour celle avec une grande étendue de structure résiduelle. Des expériences 3D BEST-TROSY sont présentées pour leur attribution, une version proline-éditée permet d'aider à l'identification de ce type d'acide aminé et enfin l'expérience HETex-BEST-TROSY qui permet une mesure rapide des taux de change de solvants. Dans la troisième partie de cette thèse ces expériences RMN sont appliquées pour l'étude de la région intrinsèquement désordonnés (domaines 2 et 3) de la protéine NS5A du virus de l'hépatite C (VHC). La structure secondaire résiduel présente dans le fragment de la protéine est analysée. La comparaison des données RMN sur trois constructions de la protéine de différentes longueurs ainsi que les données de SAXS permettent l'identification des interactions transitoires à longue portée entre les différentes régions de cette protéine. En outre, les modes de liaison de ce fragment de protéine à Bin1 domaine SH3 sont analysés. Enfin, les résultats préliminaires obtenus sur l'étude de la phosphorylation de NS5A du VHC par certaines kinases, qui ont été montrées comme biologiquement pertinents, sont présentés. / Intrinsically disordered proteins are characterized by a lack of a stable, 3D structure and fulfill their biological role as such. NMR spectroscopy is the method of choice for their atomic resolution studies, as X-ray crystallography is not amenable to them due to their highly dynamic character.However, NMR spectroscopic studies of these proteins are challenging, because of the high extent of signal overlap in the spectra, resulting from the absence of a hydrogen-bonding network that would lead to structuring and higher signal dispersion. A further problem is experimental sensitivity as often measurement time is limited due to their predisposition for proteolytic degradation. In the fist part of this thesis intrinsically disordered proteins are introduced. The second part focuses on NMR spectroscopy of IDPs, BEST-TROSY-type NMR methods are presented and are shown to be well suited for large IDPs, especially for those with high extent of residual structure. 3D BEST-TROSY experiments are presented for assignment, a proline-edited version for aiding amino acid-type identification, and the HETex-BEST-TROSY experiment that allows rapid measurement of solvent exchange rates. In the third part of this thesis NMR methods are applied for study of the entire intrinsically disordered region (domains 2 and 3) of NS5A protein of hepatitis C virus. The residual secondary structure in this protein fragment is analyzed. Comparison of NMR data on three protein constructs of different lengths together with SAXS data allows identification of transient long range interactions between different regions of this protein. Furthermore, the binding modes of this protein fragment to Bin1 SH3 domain are analyzed. Finally, the preliminary results obtained on investigation of phosphorylation of NS5A of HCV by certain kinases, reported to be biologically relevant, are presented

Sequence-function relationship is a fundamental question for many branches of modern biomedical research. It connects the primary sequence of proteins to the function of proteins and fitness of organisms, holding answers for critical questions such as functional consequences of mutations identified in whole genome sequencing and adaptive potential of fast evolving pathogenic viruses and microbes. Many different approaches have been developed to delineate the genotype-phenotype map for different proteins, but are generally limited by their throughput or precision. To systematically quantify the fitness of large numbers of mutations, I modified a novel high throughput mutational scanning approach (EMPIRIC) to investigate the fitness landscape of mutations in important regions of essential proteins from the yeast or RNA viruses. Using EMPIRIC, I analyzed the interplay of the expression level and sequence of Hsp90 on the yeast growth and revealed latent effect of mutations at reduced expression levels of Hsp90. I also examined the functional constraint on the receptor binding site of the Env of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and uncovered enhanced receptor binding capacity as a common pathway for adaptation of HIV to laboratory conditions. Moreover, I explored the adaptive potential of neuraminidase (NA) of influenza A virus to a NA inhibitor, oseltamivir, and identified novel oseltamivir resistance mutations with distinct molecular mechanisms. In summary, I applied a high throughput functional genomics approach to map the sequence-function relationship in various systems and examined the evolutionary constraints and adaptive potential of essential proteins ranging from molecular chaperones to drug-targetable viral proteins.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Papillomaviruses (PVs) are small, double-stranded DNA viruses. Hundreds of species have evolved to replicate in mammals, birds, and reptiles. Approximately two hundred species are estimated to infect humans alone, and these human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause diseases ranging from benign warts to anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. While vaccination is effective at preventing the majority of these infections and their disease outcomes, there are no successful treatments for existing infections; thus, exploration of novel therapeutic targets is warranted. PVs control expression and function of their gene products through alternative splicing, alternate start codons, and post-translational modification (PTM). The viral E2 protein regulates transcription, replication, and genome maintenance in infected cells, and PTMs have been demonstrated for E2 proteins from multiple papillomavirus types. Serine phosphorylation events were reported to influence E2 stability, and our laboratory was the first to describe in vitro acetylation events with implications for E2 transcription function. Here we report confirmation of these acetylation events in vivo and additional data elucidating the role of these PTMs in viral transcription. Moreover, we present a novel phosphorylation site for bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) E2 at tyrosine 102 (Y102). Using phospho-deficient and phospho-mimetic point mutants, we found that this site influences E2-mediated transcription and replication, and we hypothesize that phosphorylation at Y102 regulates these activities by interrupting the association of E2 with its binding partners. We also report interaction of BPV-1 E2 and HPV-31 E2 with different receptor tyrosine kinases (TKs), most notably members of the fibroblast growth factor receptor family. We hypothesize that Y102 phosphorylation by these receptors occurs early in infection to limit viral replication and gene expression. Further studies will cement the role of RTKs in PV biology and could reveal novel therapeutic strategies.

The hTREX complex mediates cellular bulk mRNA nuclear export by recruiting the nuclear export factor, TAP, via a direct interaction with the export adaptor, Aly. Intriguingly however, depletion of Aly only leads to a modest reduction in cellular mRNA nuclear export, suggesting the existence of additional mRNA nuclear export adaptor proteins. In order to efficiently export Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) intronless mRNAs from the nucleus, the KSHV ORF57 protein recruits hTREX onto viral intronless mRNAs allowing access to the TAP-mediated export pathway. Similarly however, depletion of Aly only leads to a modest reduction in the nuclear export of KSHV intronless mRNAs. Herein, we identify a novel interaction between ORF57 and the cellular protein, UIF. We provide the first evidence that the ORF57-UIF interaction enables the recruitment of hTREX and TAP to KSHV intronless mRNAs in Aly-depleted cells. Strikingly, depletion of both Aly and UIF inhibits the formation of an ORF57-mediated nuclear export competent ribonucleoprotein particle and consequently prevents ORF57-mediated mRNA nuclear export and KSHV protein production. Importantly, these findings highlight that redundancy exists in the eukaryotic system for certain hTREX components involved in the mRNA nuclear export of intronless KSHV mRNAs.

Bluetongue virus belongs to the Orbivirus genus from the Reoviridae family. It infects predominantly domestic and wild ruminants and is economically significant worldwide. Bluetongue virus VP7 forms the intercepting layer between the outer capsid (VP2 and VP5) and VP3 which surrounds the genomic material. BL21(DE3), NiCo21(DE3), C43(DE3) pLysS and KRX Escherichia coli cells were transformed with a pET28a plasmid with the cDNA sequence encoding Bluetongue virus VP7. Expression of Bluetongue virus VP7 was tested at post induction temperatures between 16˚C and 37 ˚C, at inducer concentrations between 0.1 mM and 1.0 mM isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside in BL21(DE3), NiCo21(DE3) and C43(DE3) pLysS cells and 0.05 % and 0.15 % rhamnose for KRX cells, in two types of growth media (LB and 2xYT) and post-induction growth times between two and 16 hours. Under all conditions tested; Bluetongue virus VP7 expression was found to be predominantly in the insoluble fraction (pellet). BL21(DE3) and NiCo21(DE3) cells were chosen and grown for five hours post induction, induced with 0.1 mM isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside and grown at a post-induction temperature of 37 ˚C. Bluetongue virus VP7 in bacterial cell inclusion bodies was solubilised using urea and a freeze-thaw step. Solubilisation was tested with urea concentrations between 2 M and 8 M, with solubilisation efficiency not increasing past 5 M urea. Solubilized Bluetongue virus VP7 was purified using nickel-affinity chromatography. Purified Bluetongue virus VP7 was then probed with far-UV circular dichroism and intrinsic fluorescence in several buffer conditions including different urea and guanidinium chloride concentrations as well as in the presence of glycerol and sodium chloride. Guanidinium chloride was able to cause Bluetongue virus VP7 unfolding, and the unfolding transition had 94 % and 89 % reversibility at 218 nm and 222 nm respectively. Bluetongue virus VP7 was shown to contain a native-like structure in 20 % glycerol and in up to 8 M urea and was found to be stable till at least 55 ˚C, even in the presence of 5 M urea. Glycerol and sodium chloride influenced the conformation of the protein resulting in different unfolding transitions. Thermal unfolding of Bluetongue virus VP7 was found to be irreversible. / Life and Consumer Sciences / M. Sc. (Life Sciences)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a blood-borne pathogen, is a small enveloped RNA virus belonging to the Hepacivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family. HCV infection represents one of the major health concerns affecting approximately 170 million people globally. Patients with chronic HCV infection are at risk of developing hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. No protective anti-HCV vaccine is available yet. Until recently, standard therapy based on pegylated interferon plus ribavirin, was inadequate in treating all the patients as it results in a sustained virological response in only 40 to 50 percent of patients infected with the most common genotype (gt 1). Advances in understanding host-HCV interactions have helped developing newer anti-HCV agents such as telaprevir and boceprevir. However, treatment success is still limited due to different factors including genotype specificity, high cost, potential drug-drug interactions, substantial side effects etc. The positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome of HCV is approximately 9.6kb long which is flanked by highly structured and conserved 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions (UTRs) at both ends. Unlike cap-dependent translation of host cell mRNAs, HCV translation is mediated by an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) present majorly within the 5’UTR. Several reports have demonstrated the interaction of different cellular proteins with HCV-5’UTR and/or 3’UTR, which include human La protein, polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB), poly (rC)-binding protein 2 (PCBP2) etc. These interactions of trans-acting factors with the UTRs may be important for HCV translation and/or replication. Earlier study from our laboratory revealed the importance of interaction of human La protein, by its central RNA recognition motif (RRM), with the HCV IRES around a tetranucleotide sequence GCAC near initiator AUG in influencing HCV translation. However, the role of this interaction, if any, in HCV RNA replication was not known. In the first part of the thesis, we characterized the interaction between human La protein and the GCAC to understand its role in HCV replication. We incorporated mutation, which altered the binding of La, in the GCAC motif in HCV monocistronic replicon and checked HCV RNA replication by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The mutation drastically inhibited HCV replication. Interestingly, overexpression of La could reverse the effect of this mutation and significantly enhanced HCV RNA levels. Using a bicistronic replicon, we observed that decrease in replication was independent of translation inhibition. Furthermore, mutation at the GCAC motif reduced the association between La and viral polymerase, NS5B as seen in co-immunoprecipitation assays. Moreover, this mutation affected translation to replication switch regulated by the interplay between HCV-NS3 protease and human La protein. Our analyses of point mutations, based on RT-PCR and luciferase assays, revealed distinct roles of each nucleotide of the GCAC motif in HCV replication and translation. Finally, 5’-3’ crosslink assays revealed that specific interaction of the GCAC motif with human La protein is important for linking 5’ and 3’ends of HCV genome. Results clearly demonstrate the mechanism of regulation of HCV replication by interaction of cis-acting element GCAC within the HCV IRES with human La protein. HCV is highly species-specific. Under natural conditions, HCV infects only humans and chimpanzees. This restricted host-tropism has prevented the development of a small animal model to study HCV infection in vivo. Although several human-specific entry factors have been identified to be responsible for this species selectivity, full multiplication of the HCV in animals (other than humans and chimpanzees) is still not possible. In the second part of the thesis, we showed that a post-entry host factor –‘La protein’ may also contribute in determining HCV host tropism. We aligned La protein sequences from different species and interestingly we found that HCV RNA interacting beta-turn sequence (KYKETDL) in central RRM (residues 112-184) is conserved only in human and chimpanzee. Earlier, it was shown from our laboratory that a heptameric peptide comprising of this sequence (derived from human La) could inhibit HCV translation by competing with La interaction with the IRES element. However, in the current study, another peptide corresponding to the mouse La sequence (KYKDTNL) was unable to inhibit HCV RNA translation. Similarly, wild-type mouse La (mLa) failed to stimulate HCV IRES function, but addition of chimeric mouse La protein bearing human beta-turn sequence (mLahN7) significantly increased HCV IRES mediated translation in vitro. Also, exogenous supplementation of mLahN7 enhanced HCV translation in cell culture system. Moreover, quantitative as well as tagged RT-PCR analyses showed an enhanced HCV replication upon overexpression of mLahN7. The findings obtained in this part raise a possibility of creating HCV mouse model using human specific cellular entry factors and a humanized form of La protein. Hepatitis C has emerged as a major challenge to the medical community. Developing more potent and safe anti-HCV regimens is need of the hour. As described above, a linear hepatapeptide (KYKETDL) was synthesized and shown to reduce HCV translation. However, this linear peptide was stable only for a shorter time scale. Therefore, in the third part of the thesis, effect of a more stable cyclic form of this peptide has been described. NMR spectroscopy suggested that the beta turn conformation is preserved in cyclic peptide as well. Also, using in vitro bicistronic reporter assay, we demonstrated that cyclic peptide inhibits HCV translation in a dose dependent manner. In fact, due to its higher stability, cyclic peptide reduced HCV translation and replication more efficiently than the corresponding linear peptide at longer post-treatment time point. Additionally, we observed that cyclic peptide is non-toxic in cell culture system. Our results suggest that cyclic peptide might emerge as a promising lead compound against hepatitis C. Due to availability of only partially effective liver protective drugs in modem medicine, complementary and alternative medicine approach, based on plant derived compounds, is also being utilised against HCV. Plant derived compounds have advantages of having high chemical diversity, drug-likeliness properties and ability of being metabolized by the body with little or no toxicity than synthetic ones. Different studies have shown that phytochemicals may exert anti-HCV activities by acting as direct-acting antivirals and play a potential therapeutic role in treating HCV infection. Also, from our laboratory, it was shown that methanolic extract of Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus) plant inhibited HCV replication. The fourth part of the thesis describes the study on the anti-HCV properties of several bioactive components from P. amarus extract. Using a fluorimetric assay, we demonstrated that two principal components of this extract, phyllanthin and corilagin reduced the HCV NS3 protease activity significantly in vitro. We also observed a sharp reduction in HCV negative sense RNA levels in cell culture system. Structural knowledge-based molecular docking studies showed interactions of phyllanthin and corilagin with the amino acid residues of the catalytic triad of NS3 protease. Further, these compounds were found to be non-toxic in cell culture. Also, phyllanthin and corilagin displayed antioxidant properties by blocking HCV induced oxidative stress generated by reactive oxygen species suggesting their hepatoprotective nature. More importantly, our in vivo toxicity analyses and pharmacokinetics studies proved their safety, tolerability, metabolic stability, and systemic oral bioavailability and support their potential as novel anti-HCV therapeutic candidates. Altogether, the study deciphers mechanistic details of translation and replication of HCV RNA and demonstrates novel antiviral agents targeting these important viral processes.

CoxsackievirusB3 (CVB3), a member of the Picornaviridae family is the causative agent of Virus-induced Myocarditis and Dilated Cardiomyopathy. The 5’UTR contains an Internal Ribosome Entry Site or IRES element that recruits ribosomes in a cap-independent manner. The ribosomes are recruited upstream of the AUG triplet at 591 (AUG591), also called as the cryptic AUG, after which they scan downstream for about 150 nucleotide, before initiating at the initiator AUG or AUG741. The 3’UTR of CVB3 is 99 nts long, highly structured RNA containing conserved domains, and is followed by a poly (A) tail of variable lengths. We have investigated possible involvement of host proteins which may interact with CVB3 IRES and influence its activity. We have demonstrated the role of Poly-pyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) and established PTB as a bona-fide ITAF for CVB3, by characterizing the effect of partial silencing of PTB ex-vivo in HeLa cells. The IRES activity in BSC-1 cells, reported to have very low level of endogenous PTB, is found to be significantly low compared to that in HeLa cells. PTB is observed to interact with both the 5’ and 3’ UTR of CVB3, although with different affinities. Finer mapping of the interaction between PTB and the UTRs showed that the protein interacts with multiple regions of both UTRs. We have also shown the cis-acting effect of the CVB3-3’UTR on IRES mediated translation. The PTB contact points on the 3’UTRwas found to map to conserved regions, the deletion of which abrogates the 3’UTR mediated enhancement of the IRES activity. The possible role played by PTB in enhancing IRES activity by CVB3 3’UTR suggests that PTB protein might help in circularization of the CVB3 RNA by bridging the ends necessary for efficient translation of the viral RNA. In the second part, we have investigated possible role of some of the cis-acting element present in the CVB3 5’UTR RNA particularly the cryptic AUG. We have shown that mutation in cryptic AUG reduces the efficiency of translation mediated by the CVB3 IRES. Mutation in cryptic AUG moiety also reduces the interaction of mutant RNA with La protein. We have demonstrated that binding of 48S ribosomal complex with mutant IRES RNA was weaker compared to wt IRES RNA. We have investigated the possible alteration in secondary structure in the mutant RNA by chemical and enzymatic modification, which suggests that there is marginal alteration in the local structure due to mutation. It appears that integrity of cryptic AUG is important for efficient translation initiation by the CVB3 IRES. Results suggest that cryptic AUG plays a significant role in mediating internal initiation of translation of CVB3 RNA by mediating precise La binding and correct positioning of the 48S ribosomal complex. Finally, we have investigated the importance of a conserved hexa-nucleotide stretch in the apical loop within stem loop C (SLC, nt104-180), upstream of the ribosome landing site, on CVB3 IRES function. It has been already shown from our laboratory that the deletion at this apical loop resulted in significant decrease in IRES activity. This deletion mutant was shown to alter the secondary structure of the CVB3 5’UTR RNA. Here we have investigated the effect of point mutation in the apical loop SLC/c on CVB3 IRES activity by generating substitution mutation in the apical loop SLC/c in order to avoid possible alteration in secondary structure. Both the deletion or substitution mutation at this apical loop resulted in significant decrease in IRES activity. Both the mutant IRES RNAs (deletion and substitution mutant) failed to interact with certain trans-acting factors. Furthermore, expression of CVB3 2A protease significantly enhanced IRES activity of the wild type, but the effect was not so pronounced on the mutant IRESs. It is possible that the mutant RNAs were unable to interact with some trans-acting factors critical for enhanced IRES function. We have short-listed three proteins of approximate molecular mass of 56, 64 and 90 kDa, which showed reduced binding with mutant IRESs. By using RNA affinity column with biotinylated UTP labeled RNA we have purified couple of proteins and identified p64 as Cyto Keratin 1 protein by performing in-gel trypsin digestion followed by MALDI analysis. Overall, the results characterize the CVB3 IRES structurally and functionally, which could be useful in targeting critical RNA-protein interactions to develop candidate antiviral agent against Coxsackievirus infection.