The invention describes compositions and methods for recombinant protein expression in a wide range of cell types, including mammalian, insect, and bacterial cells. The compositions comprise a viral IRES sequence selected from enterovirus 71 (EV71), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), or a variant or fragment thereof, or alternatively, a homolog of a viral IRES selected from EV71, HCV, or EMCV, or a variant or fragment thereof. Methods of using the compositions are also described.