Fig 5. 3Cpro cleavage of hnRNP A1 promotes apaf-1 IRES activity and apoptosis.

(A) SF268 cells were transfected with plasmids expressing wild-type or mutant 3Cpro, or empty vector. Two days after transfection, RLuc–Apaf-1 5’UTR–FLuc bicistronic reporter RNA was transfected. Luciferase activity was measured 2 days after RNA transfection. Mean values and standard errors from triplicate experiments are shown in the bar graph. The diagram in the upper panel depicts the bicistronic reporter RNA. Western blotting was performed to examine the expression of 3Cpro, hnRNP A1, and apaf-1. Tubulin: loading control. (B) Caspase-3 activity was determined as described in the legend to Fig 2B following transfection of plasmids expressing either wild-type or mutant 3Cpro. Mean values and standard errors from triplicate experiments are shown in the bar graphs. ***P<0.001; N.S., not significant.