Luteovirus cap-independent translation element
The Barley yellow dwarf virus-like cap-independent translation element is an RNA element found in the 3' UTR of some luteoviruses. This element mediates translation of genomic RNA and subgenomic RNA1.
BTEs have a consensus sequence, GGAUCCUGGGAAACAGG, embedded in series of three to six stem-loops that radiate from a central hub.
BTE has been found to bind to eIF4G and weakly to eIF4E. BTE allows translation initiation of an mRNA without a 7mG cap. Other forms of cap-independent translation elements exist. The general purpose of BTE and these other CITE's is to get the ribosome to begin translation without the 7mG cap. In the case of BTE it "tricks" eIF4F into "telling" the ribosome that a 7mG cap is present.
