PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Sims, Stuart AU - Michaelsen, Kevin AU - Burkhard, Sara AU - Fraefel, Cornel TI - In vitro comparison of the internal ribosomal entry site activity from rodent hepacivirus and pegivirus AID - 10.1101/761379 DP - 2019 Jan 01 TA - bioRxiv PG - 761379 4099 - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/09/08/761379.short 4100 - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/09/08/761379.full AB - The 5’ untranslated region (5’ UTR) of rodent hepacivirus (RHV) and pegivirus (RPgV) contain sequence homology to the HCV type IV internal ribosome entry sites (IRES). Utilizing a monocistronic expression vector with an RNA polymerase I promoter to drive transcription we show cell-specific IRES translation and regions within the IRES required for full functionality. Focusing on RHV we further pseudotyped lentivirus with RHV and showed cell surface expression of the envelope proteins and transduction of murine hepatocytes.