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At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

In vitro splicing of influenza viral NS1 mRNA and NS1-beta-globin chimeras: possible mechanisms for the control of viral mRNA splicing.

In influenza virus-infected cells, the splicing of the viral NS1 mRNA catalyzed by host nuclear enzymes is controlled so that the steady-state amount of the spliced NS2 mRNA is only 5-10% of that of the unspliced NS1 mRNA. Here we examine the splicing of NS1 mRNA in vitro, using nuclear extracts from HeLa cells. We show that in addition to its consensus 5' and 3' splice sites, NS1 mRNA has an intron branch-point adenosine residue that was functional in lariat formation. Nonetheless, this RNA was not detectably spliced in vitro under conditions in which a human beta-globin precursor was efficiently spliced. Using chimeric RNA precursors containing both NS1 and beta-globin sequences, we show that the NS1 5' splice site was effectively utilized by the beta-globin branch-point sequence and 3' splice site to form a spliced RNA, whereas the NS1 3' splice site did not function in detectable splicing in vitro, even in the presence of the beta-globin branch-point sequence or in the presence of both the branch-point sequence and 5' exon and splice site from beta-globin. With the chimeric precursors that were not detectably spliced, as with NS1 mRNA itself, a low level of a lariat structure containing only intron and not 3' exon sequences was formed. The inability of the consensus 3' splice site of NS1 mRNA to function effectively in in vitro splicing suggests that this site is structurally inaccessible to components of the splicing machinery. Based on these results, we propose two mechanisms whereby NS1 mRNA splicing in infected cells is controlled via the accessibility of its 3' splice site.

DNA, Recombinant↗

Electrical stimulation in vivo increases the expression of proenkephalin mRNA and decreases the expression of prodynorphin mRNA in rat hippocampal granule cells.

In situ hybridization histochemistry in combination with RNA blot techniques was used to study the regulation of opioid gene expression in rat hippocampus. By use of a prodynorphin cDNA probe, a strong hybridization signal was identified in the granule cell layer of the hippocampus. However, experiments using a proenkephalin cDNA probe revealed that the content of proenkephalin mRNA was considerably lower than that of prodynorphin mRNA. Following five brief trains of high-frequency electrical stimulation to the dentate gyrus, the proenkephalin mRNA content of the granule cells, measured 22 hr later, was substantially increased on the stimulated side. In contrast, levels of prodynorphin mRNA were markedly decreased ipsilateral to the stimulation site. These results were confirmed by RNA blot analysis of extracted mRNA. The decrease in prodynorphin mRNA content first became apparent between 4 and 7 hr after the end of stimulation. Distinct mechanisms, therefore, regulate the expression of proenkephalin mRNA and prodynorphin mRNA in rat hippocampus.

Animals↗

Pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells contain high levels of mRNA for c-kit, GATA-2, p45 NF-E2, and c-myb and low levels or no mRNA for c-fms and the receptors for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and interleukins 5 and 7.

Pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells (PHSCs) were highly enriched from mouse bone marrow by counterflow centrifugal elutriation, lineage subtraction, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting based on high c-kit receptor expression (c-kitBR). We used reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to assay the c-kitBR subset and the subsets expressing low (c-kitDULL) and no (c-kitNEG) c-kit receptor for expression of mRNA encoding hematopoietic growth factor receptors and transcription factors. The c-kitBR cells had approximately 3.5-fold more c-kit mRNA than unfractionated bone marrow cells. The c-kitDULL cells had 47-58% of the c-kit mRNA found in c-kitBR cells and the c-kitNEG cells had 4-9% of the c-kit mRNA present in c-kitBR cells. By comparing mRNA levels in c-kitBR cells (enriched for PHSCs) with those of unfractionated bone marrow, we demonstrated that c-kitBR cells contained low or undetectable levels of mRNA for c-fms, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor, interleukin 5 receptor (IL-5R), and IL-7R. These same cells had moderate levels of mRNA for erythropoietin receptor, IL-3R subunits IL-3R alpha (SUT-1), AIC-2A, and AIC-2B, IL-6R and its partner gp-130, and the transcription factor GATA-1 and high levels of mRNA for transcription factors GATA-2, p45 NF-E2, and c-myb. We conclude from these findings that PHSCs are programmed to interact with stem cell factor, IL-3, and IL-6 but not with granulocyte or macrophage colony-stimulating factor. These findings also indicate that GATA-2, p45 NF-E2, and c-myb activities may be involved in PHSC maintenance or proliferation.

Animals↗

Developmental regulation of elastin production. Expression of tropoelastin pre-mRNA persists after down-regulation of steady-state mRNA levels.

To assess the mechanisms controlling the developmental regulation of tropoelastin expression in vivo, we developed a reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to detect tropoelastin pre-mRNA as an indicator of ongoing transcription in intact tissue. RNA was isolated from mid-fetal (early-elastogenic), neonatal (peak tropoelastin expression), and adult (very low tropoelastin expression) rat lungs and reverse transcribed, and the cDNA was amplified with intron specific primers. A weak hybridization signal for tropoelastin pre-mRNA was seen in mid-fetal samples, and paralleling the increase in steady-state mRNA levels, a strong signal for pre-mRNA was detected in neonatal samples, indicating transcriptional regulation. Stimulation of fetal lung tropoelastin expression by maternal administration of dexamethasone also led to an increase in pre-mRNA levels. However, signal for tropoelastin pre-mRNA in adult samples was equal to that detected in neonatal samples, even though mRNA levels had dropped about 80-fold. Persistence of tropoelastin transcription in adult tissue was also seen in cell culture models and was verified by nuclear runoff assay. In addition, an RT-PCR assay for alpha 1 (I) procollagen pre-mRNA accurately revealed the known transcriptional regulation of this gene. Our results demonstrate that the induction and maintenance of elastogenesis is controlled by a transcriptional mechanism, whereas, the cessation of tropoelastin expression is controlled by a post-transcriptional mechanism.

Aging↗

Post-transcriptional regulation of erythropoietin mRNA stability by erythropoietin mRNA-binding protein.

We have previously identified a sequence in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of erythropoietin (Epo) mRNA which binds a protein(s), erythropoietin mRNA-binding protein (ERBP). A mutant lacking the ERBP binding site (EpoM) was generated. Hep3B cells were stably transfected with a wild-type Epo (EpoWT) cDNA or EpoM cDNA construct located downstream of a promoter of cytomegalovirus. Following inhibition of transcription, the half-lives of EpoWT and EpoM mRNAs were 7 h and 2.5 h in normoxia, respectively. The EpoM mRNA half-life remained unchanged in hypoxia. EpoWT mRNA half-life increased approximately 40% in response to a 6-h hypoxic pre-exposure and an additional approximately 50% when pre-exposed to 12 h hypoxia. The steady-state level of EpoWT mRNA was 4-fold that of EpoM mRNA reflecting the difference in mRNA decay rates in normoxia. The Epo protein level expressed from exogenous EpoM was unchanged in both normoxia and hypoxia. In contrast, the Epo protein level expressed from exogenous EpoWT increased 50% in hypoxia when compared with normoxia. These observations were further supported by chimeric chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and Epo-3'-UTR constructs. We have demonstrated that Epo mRNA stability was modulated in normoxia and further by hypoxia, therefore, providing evidence that Epo is regulated at the post-transcriptional level through ERBP complex formation.

Binding Sites↗

Post-transcriptional regulation of urokinase mRNA. Identification of a novel urokinase mRNA-binding protein in human lung epithelial cells in vitro.

We sought to determine if urokinase expression is regulated at the post-transcriptional level in cultured lung epithelial cells. We also sought to determine if differences in urokinase expression by cultured human lung carcinoma and non-malignant lung epithelial subtypes were attributable to post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. Urokinase was expressed by phenotypically diverse lung carcinoma cell lines as well as non-malignant small airway epithelial cells and bronchial epithelial cells. Using gel mobility shift and UV cross-linking assays, we identified a 30-kDa urokinase mRNA-binding protein that selectively bound to a 66-nucleotide protein-binding fragment of urokinase mRNA. The urokinase mRNA-binding protein is found in the cytosolic but not nuclear extracts of non-malignant lung epithelial cells; whereas, it is found in the nuclear but not cytosolic extracts of selected malignant carcinoma-derived cells that express relatively large amounts of urokinase. Chimeric beta-globin/urokinase cDNA containing the urokinase mRNA-binding protein binding sequence destabilized otherwise stable beta-globin mRNA. Our results demonstrate that urokinase gene expression in lung epithelial and lung carcinoma-derived cells is regulated at the post-transcriptional level. The mechanism involves an interaction between a 66-nucleotide sequence of the urokinase mRNA 3'-untranslated region with a newly recognized urokinase mRNA-binding protein to regulate urokinase mRNA stability.

Base Sequence↗

Activity-dependent transcriptional activation and mRNA stabilization for cumulative expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide mRNA controlled by calcium and cAMP signals in neurons.

Although it has been established that an activity-dependent gene transcription is induced by the calcium (Ca(2+)) signals in neurons, it is unclear how the specific mRNA moieties are transiently accumulated in response to synaptic transmission which evokes multiple intracellular signals including Ca(2+) and cAMP ones. The expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), a neuropeptide, is controlled by Ca(2+) signals evoked via membrane depolarization in neurons, and, in cultured rat cortical neuronal cells, we found that the Ca(2+) signal-mediated activation of the PACAP gene promoter was critically controlled by a single cAMP-response element (CRE) located at around -200, to which the CRE-binding protein predominantly bound. The Ca(2+) signal-induced expression of PACAP mRNA was enhanced by forskolin, which evokes cAMP signals. In support, the PACAP gene promoter was synergistically enhanced by Ca(2+) and cAMP signals through the CRE, accompanying a prolonged activation of extracellular signal-related protein kinase 1/2 and CRE-binding protein. On the other hand, sole administration of forskolin markedly reduced the cellular content of PACAP mRNA, which was restored by the addition of Ca(2+) signals. We found that the stability of PACAP mRNA was increased in response to Ca(2+) signals but not that of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) mRNA, indicating an activity-dependent stabilization of specific mRNA species in neurons, which can antagonize the regulation mediated by cAMP signals. Thus, the transcriptional activation and mRNA stabilization are coordinately regulated by Ca(2+) and cAMP signals for the cumulative expression of PACAP mRNA in neurons.

Animals↗

Adzuki resistant starch lowered serum cholesterol and hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA mRNA levels and increased hepatic LDL-receptor and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase mRNA levels in rats fed a cholesterol diet.

We examined the effects of adzuki bean resistant starch on serum cholesterol and hepatic mRNA in rats fed a cholesterol diet. The mRNA coded for key regulatory proteins of cholesterol metabolism. The control rats were fed 15 % cornstarch (basal diet, BD). The experimental rats were fed BD plus a 0.5 % cholesterol diet (CD), or a 15 % adzuki resistant starch plus 0.5 % cholesterol diet (ACD) for 4 weeks. The serum total cholesterol and VLDL + intermediate density lipoprotein + LDL-cholesterol levels in the ACD group were significantly lower than those in the CD group throughout the feeding period. The total hepatic cholesterol concentrations in the CD and ACD groups were not significantly different. The faecal total bile acid concentration in the ACD group was significantly higher than that in the BD and CD groups. Total SCFA and acetic acid concentrations in the ACD group were significantly higher than those in the CD group but there were no significant differences in the concentrations between the ACD and BD groups. The hepatic LDL-receptor mRNA and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase mRNA levels in the ACD group were significantly higher than those in the CD group and the hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase mRNA level in the ACD group was significantly lower than in the CD group. The results suggest that adzuki resistant starch has a serum cholesterol-lowering function via enhancement of the hepatic LDL-receptor mRNA and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase mRNA levels and faecal bile acid excretion, and a decrease in the hepatic HMG-CoA reductase mRNA level, when it is added to a cholesterol diet.

Acetic Acid↗

Increased mRNA expression of VEGF within the hematoma and imbalance of angiopoietin-1 and -2 mRNA within the neomembranes of chronic subdural hematoma.

The aim of the study was to determine the source of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hematoma fluid of patients suffering from chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) and to identify the level of gene expression of the pro-angiogenic factors angiopoietin 1 (ANG-1) and ANG-2 in hematoma membranes. Samples of venous blood, hematoma fluid, and outer membrane were obtained during surgery for CSH. The numbers of mononuclear cells were determined in hematoma fluid and in venous blood samples taken from 11 patients. The concentration of VEGF was measured by ELISA technique in hematoma fluid and in plasma. RT-PCR methodology was used to study the expression of different mRNA species in 11 patients. The mRNA species analyzed include VEGF and its receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, and ANG-1, ANG-2 and their receptor, Tie-2. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) served as housekeeping gene and was used for semiquantitative analysis. The VEGF concentration was several hundred fold higher in the hematoma fluid than in corresponding plasma samples. A significant correlation was found between the number of neutrophils and the VEGF content in the hematoma fluid. The expression levels of VEGF, mainly VEGF165 and VEGF121 mRNA were highest in cells obtained from the hematoma fluid. In membrane samples, mRNA encoding for VEGF and its receptors was only inconsistently detected while the mRNA species encoding for ANG-1, ANG-2, and Tie-2 were found throughout all samples. The mean ratio of ANG-1/ANG-2 mRNA expression was 0.48 as opposed to 1.9 in a normal human brain tissue sample. The results suggest that the hematoma cells are the primary source of VEGF. A marked increase in the expression of ANG-2 mRNA over ANG-1 mRNA demonstrates a pro-angiogenic pattern in the hematoma membranes. Persistent activation of the ANG/Tie-2 system in addition to high levels of VEGF may keep the vasculature in a destabilized condition and may account for the continuous formation of new and immature blood vessels resulting in massive plasma extravasation and repeated bleeding episodes. Thus, the present study provides new evidence in favor of pro-angiogenic mechanisms playing an important role in the pathophysiology of CSH.

Adult↗

An AU-rich sequence in the 3'-UTR of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) mRNA promotes PAI-2 mRNA decay and provides a binding site for nuclear HuR.

The plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) gene is regulated by transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes. We have previously shown that insertion of the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of PAI-2 mRNA into the 3'-UTR of a beta-globin reporter mRNA reduces constitutive beta-globin mRNA expression and that this requires, at least in part, an AU-rich motif. Here we have directly assessed the role of this motif in PAI-2 mRNA stability using both chimeric and non-chimeric reporter systems. We first show that the full-length PAI-2 mRNA is indeed unstable with a half-life of 1 h. Using the c-fos promoter-driven human growth hormone (HGH) mRNA as a reporter, we demonstrate that the 580 nt 3'-UTR of PAI-2 accelerates chimeric HGH mRNA decay in a process which is dependent on the intact AU-rich sequence. Furthermore, disruption of this motif within a constitutively expressed PAI-2 cDNA produces a 2.5- and 2. 7-fold increase in PAI-2 mRNA and protein levels in HT-1080 cells, respectively. RNA electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift assays indicate that this motif provides a specific binding site for cellular proteins that include nuclear HuR. Taken together, these data show that a correlation exists between the binding of HuR to the AU-rich motif in vitro and the destabilizing properties conferred by this sequence in vivo.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Frequency distribution of mRNA and pre-mRNA in growing and differentiated Friend cells.

The frequency distribution of poly(A)+-mRNA in growing and in differentiated Friend cells has been measured by mRNA-cDNA hybridization and their differences established by heterologous hybridization of mRNA of one type and cDNA of the other. It was shown that induction of Friend cells involves an increase in abundance of a small number of mRNAs, while no specific pattern of messenger disappearance could be detected. The frequency distribution of pre-mRNA was determined by hybridizing nuclear RNA with the cDNA probes complementary to mRNA. In uninduced Friend cells, it was shown that most precursor messenger sequences are present at a single frequency of about 3 molecules per nucleus, independently of their final frequency in polysomal mRNA. In induced Friend cells, the frequency distribution of pre-mRNA is more heterogeneous and correlated to some extent with the corresponding mRNA frequency distribution.

Animals↗

Isolation of mRNA from specific tissues of Drosophila by mRNA tagging.

To study the function of specific cells or tissues using genomic tools like microarray analyses, it is highly desirable to obtain mRNA from a homogeneous source. However, this is particularly challenging for small organisms, like Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. We have optimized and applied a new technique, mRNA tagging, to isolate mRNA from specific tissues of D.melanogaster. A FLAG-tagged poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) is expressed in a specific tissue and mRNA from that tissue is thus tagged by the recombinant PABP and separated from mRNA in other tissues by co-immunoprecipitation with a FLAG-tag specific antibody. The fractionated mRNA is then amplified and used as probe in microarray experiments. As a test system, we employed the procedures to identify genes expressed in Drosophila photoreceptor cells. We found that most known photoreceptor cell-specific mRNAs were identified by mRNA tagging. Furthermore, at least 11 novel genes have been identified as enriched in photoreceptor cells. mRNA tagging is a powerful general method for profiling gene expression in specific tissues and for identifying tissue-specific genes.

Animals↗

The protein-coding region of c-myc mRNA contains a sequence that specifies rapid mRNA turnover and induction by protein synthesis inhibitors.

The stability of certain mRNAs is known to be affected by translation. Some mRNAs appear to be protected from rapid degradation by translation, whereas degradation is coupled to translation for other mRNAs. The molecular determinants of this selective effect of translation are unknown. One example of this effect is the induction of early-response gene mRNAs in the presence of translation inhibitors. To define the molecular basis of induction of early-response gene mRNA expression by inhibitors of protein synthesis, we have performed a mutational analysis of one member of the early response gene family, the c-myc gene. We find that induction by cycloheximide is due to stabilization of c-myc transcripts. The requirements for increased expression of c-myc mRNA by cycloheximide are the presence of the sequence encoding c-myc amino acids 335-439 on a mRNA that can be translated; all other portions of the c-myc gene are dispensable, and this sequence can confer induction of mRNA expression by protein synthesis inhibitors on a heterologous gene. By direct measurement of mRNA turnover in the absence of transcription-blocking drugs, we show that this sequence can function as a selective mRNA destabilizing element, that turnover mediated by this element is translation dependent, and turnover mediated by this element is inhibited by actinomycin D. Our results support the hypothesis that degradation of c-myc mRNA is coupled to translation, that the sequences specifying this form of degradation are contained in the protein-coding sequence, and that translation inhibitors induce expression of c-myc mRNA by blocking turnover mediated by this element.

Cell Line↗

Translation of mRNA for 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine decarboxylase isolated from epidermis tissue of Calliphora vicina R. -D. in a heterologous system. Dependence of mRNA concentration on the insect steroid hormone ecdysone.

RNA was isolated from the epidermis of Calliphora vicina larvae by phenol--chloroform extraction. The RN A sedimenting in sucrose gradients between 5 and 18 S was submitted to chromatography on oligo(dT)-cellulose columns. The fraction binding to the oligo(dT) is able to stimulate protein synthesis in a system consisting of mouse liverribosomal subunits, pH-5 factors from rat liver and initiation factors from rabbit reticulocytes. Optimal Mg2+ concentration for the translation of insect mRNA is 3.5 mM, that of K+ 76 MM. Initiation factors prepared from epidermis of Calliphora larvae are less efficient in the translation of insect mRNA than initiation factors isolated from reticulocytes. The pH-5 fraction from epidermis inhibits protein synthesis independent of the source of the mRNA fraction used. One of the proteins synthesized in the reconstituted system under the direction of insect mRNA has been identified as 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) decarboxylase by immunoprecipitation with specific antiserum against DOPA decarboxylase and comigration in dodecylsulphate-acrylamide electrophoresis with pure DOPA decarboxylase. Both mRNA from white prepupae and from 6--7-days-old larvae contain sequences coding for DOPA decarboxylase. However, white prepupae contains 3--4 times more DOPA decarboxylase-mRNA than 6--7-days-old larvae. The content of DOPA decarboxylase mRNA is proportional to the amount of active DOPA decarboxylase molecules present in the animals from which the mRNA was isolated.

Animals↗

Binding of globin mRNA, beta-globin mRNA segments and RNA homopolymers by immobilized protein of polysomal globin messenger ribonucleoprotein.

The binding of rabbit globin mRNA, in-vitro-generated beta-globin mRNA segments, and RNA homopolymers by proteins of rabbit reticulocyte polysomal messenger ribonucleoproteins (mRNP) after SDS gel electrophoresis and electroblotting was examined. The polysomal mRNP proteins have a higher affinity for mRNA than for rRNA and tRNA while having a higher affinity for polypurine than polypyrimidine homopolymers. Binding experiments with synthetic poly(A) and with segments of beta-globin mRNA transcribed from a cDNA in vitro revealed a set of polysomal mRNP proteins which preferentially bind the poly(A)-free beta-globin mRNA. A protein of Mr 90,000 binds specifically the 3'-nontranslated trailer of the poly(A)-free beta-globin mRNA and not the poly(A)-containing globin mRNA. Another set of proteins preferentially binds poly(A). The latter group of proteins contains a prominent species of Mr 72,000, which is most likely the rabbit poly(A)-binding protein. Three polysomal mRNP proteins which bound rabbit globin mRNA did not bind preferentially any of the other RNA probes used.

Animals↗

Quantitation of vasopressin mRNA and oxytocin mRNA in hypothalamic nuclei by solution hybridization assays.

Concentrations of vasopressin (VP) precursor and oxytocin (OT) precursor mRNA were measured in magnocellular cell groups of the rat hypothalamus by newly developed solution hybridization assays. The assays employed single-stranded 35S-labeled VP-specific and OT-specific DNA probes that were prepared by primer extension on recombinant M13 DNA templates. Solution hybridization assays were standardized by known amounts of cloned DNA. The detection limit was less than 1 pg DNA equivalent of the respective mRNA. In total RNA preparations of microdissected supraoptic nucleus (SON) mean (+/- SEM) basal levels of 1.37 +/- 0.18 pg VP mRNA and 1.95 +/- 0.14 pg OT mRNA were measured. RNA of the microdissected paraventricular nucleus (PVN) contained 0.35 +/- 0.02 pg VP mRNA and 1.77 +/- 0.15 pg OT mRNA. Elevation of plasma osmolality induced by drinking of 2% saline for 25 days resulted in a 1.85-fold increase in VP mRNA levels of the SON and a 1.6-fold increase in VP mRNA levels of the PVN. The solution hybridization assays are suitable tools to study the regulation of VP and OT mRNAs in magnocellular neurons of the brain.

Animals↗

Simian virus 40 early mRNA's. I. Genomic localization of 3' and 5' termini and two major splices in mRNA from transformed and lytically infected cells.

We have studied the structure of polyadenylated virus-specific cytoplasmic mRNA's in mouse and human cells transformed by simian virus 40 and in monkey cells infected with simian virus 40 in the presence of cytosine arabinoside by means of reverse transcriptase-catalyzed complementary DNA synthesis and complementary DNA sequencing. Abundant mRNA species containing splices from residues 4490 to 4557 (0.533 to 0.546 map units [m.u.]) and 4490 to 4837 (0.533 to 0.600 m.u.) were identified in both transformed and infected cells. Two principal reverse transcriptase stops were observed at the 5' termini of these mRNA's, both occurring with approximately equal frequency. The most distal of these stops was localized at residues 5152 to 5154 (0.660 m.u.), and the second was at residues 5147 to 5148 (0.659 m.u.). Several additional minor stops, between approximately 0.62 and 0.65 m.u., were also found on complementary DNA copied from transformed cell mRNA; in contrast, only one additional stop was present on complementary DNA copied from early lytic mRNA. These data suggest the presence of a prinicipal 5' terminus of early lytic and transformed cell mRNA's at residues 5152 to 5154 and raise the possibility of additional 5' termini at one or more locations in the 0.62 to 0.659 m.u. region of these mRNA's. Transformed cell mRNA was also found to contain a single 3' terminus at positions 2504 and 2505 (0.153 m.u.); termini lying beyond this site were not detected.

Animals↗

Nuclease activity associated with mammalian mRNA in its native state: possible basis for selectivity in mRNA decay.

Polysome and messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) preparations from various mammalian cells contain tightly bound nuclease activity that causes degradation of the mRNA in the preparations. This activity was found to cosediment with all polysome size classes as well as with free mRNPs and to remain associated with the mRNPs released from polysomes by treatment with EDTA. No association with ribosomal subunits was evident. The rates of mRNA degradation were not affected by serial dilution, an indication that enzyme and substrate are tightly associated. beta-Globin mRNA in purified reticulocyte polysomes was cleaved at AU sequences in the 3'-terminal region. Cleavages at the same sites occurred when deproteinized reticulocyte RNA was incubated with mouse sarcoma 180 (S-180) polysomes. The S-180 preparations caused additional cleavages, primarily at UG sequences. A P40 mRNA in S-180 polysomes was cleaved primarily in the 3' noncoding region, but the cleavages in a P21 mRNA were seen in the 5' noncoding region only. Actin mRNA was cleaved in an internal region, yielding large relatively stable 3'- and 5'-terminal fragments. These data suggest the occurrence of highly specific interactions between one or more mRNA-bound nucleases and individual mRNA species.

Animals↗