Créancier et al. (page 275) examined translational regulation mediated by the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of FGF-2, and found that in contrast to a picornaviral IRES, the FGF-2 IRES is subject to stringent tissue-specific regulation. The finding has broad implications for basic studies on gene regulation in development, and could also have applications in gene therapy.
Using a bicistronic luciferase reporter vector, the authors analyzed translation from the IRES of FGF-2 or encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) in tissue culture and transgenic mice. The FGF-2 IRES is active in a variety of human and non-human cell types, suggesting that its activity is conserved among mammals. In transgenic mice, FGF-2 IRES activity is spatiotemporally regulated during development and is later restricted to the adult brain, in contrast to the nearly ubiquitous activity of the EMCV IRES. In addition to demonstrating for...
