中国生物工程杂志

The internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element from FMDV was amplified by RT-PCR, and was cloned into pcDNA3.1(+) vector, resulting in a bicistronic vector. To determine whether the bicistronic mRNAs from the vector can be translated, the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene was cloned into the downstream of the IERS element, then BHK-21 cells was transfected by the recombinant plasmid. The green fluorescence in the transfected cells was observed under a fluorescence microscope equipped with a video documentation system. And the expressional efficiency was analyzed with flow cytometry (FCM). The results showed that the IRES element from FMDV has the role of initiating CAP-independent translation, and laid foundation for researching function of the element and interrelated proteins. It would be potential for expressing target gene by the bicistronic vector.