Regulation of host cell translation by viruses and effects on cell function

Viruses have evolved a remarkable variety of strategies to modulate the hos t cell translation apparatus with the aim of optimizing viral mRNA translat ion and replication. Recent studies have revealed that modulation of both h ost and viral mRNA translation can be accomplished by selective alteration of translation factors in virus-infected cells. These findings provide new insights into the functioning of the translational apparatus in both uninfe cted and infected cells.