Biological function
The hepatitis C virus internal ribosome entry site (HCV IRES) recruits the translation machinery independently of the 5′ cap, enabling efficient viral protein synthesis.
 
Binding property
eIF3 and other initiation factors bind structured domains of the HCV IRES, particularly defined stem-loops in domains II–IV. Recognition depends on complex tertiary structure rather than a single short motif.
 
Assay notes
Uses a structured HCV IRES fragment as an RNA probe. Suitable for profiling IRES-binding activity and screening compounds that interfere with viral translation initiation.