In vitro translation of semliki forest virus 42 S RNA Initiation at two different sites

The genome of α-viruses like Semliki Forest virus (SFV) and Sindbis virus consists of a single-stranded RNA molecule of Mr 4-4.5 X l0⁶. The genes coding for the non-structural proteins are located near the 5' (capped) terminus of this 42 S RNA, whereas the information for the structural proteins, one capsid and three envelope proteins, is found near the 3’ terminus.