Adenovirus VAI RNA prevents phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha subunit subsequent to infection.

Abstract
The virus-associated VAI RNA of adenovirus is a small, RNA polymerase III-transcribed species required for efficient translation of mRNA species late after infection. Deletion mutant dl331 fails to produce this RNA and, as a result, grows poorly. Three lines of evidence suggest that VAI RNA facilitates translation by preventing inactivation of the function of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2). The mutant''s translational defect can be relieved by addition of eIF-2 or eIF-2B (GTP recycling factor). Extracts of mutant-infected cells exhibit enhanced protein P1/eIF-2.alpha. subunit kinase activity. Mutant dl331 can grow with nearly normal kinetics in cells that do not express the kinase.