Title
Translation and a 42-nucleotide segment within the coding region of the mRNA encoded by the MAT alpha 1 gene are involved in promoting rapid mRNA decay in yeast
PubMed ID
2181450
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Date
4-1-1990
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Base Sequence; Chimera; *Genes, Fungal; Kinetics; Molecular Sequence Data; Plasmids; *Protein Biosynthesis; RNA, Fungal; RNA, Messenger; Restriction Mapping; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Time Factors; Transcription, Genetic
Disciplines
Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology | Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
In yeast, the mRNA encoded by the MAT alpha 1 gene is unstable (t1/2 = 5 min) and the mRNAs encoded by the ACT1 gene (t1/2 = 30 min) and the PGK1 gene (t1/2 = 45 min) are stable. To understand the RNA structural features that dictate mRNA decay rates in yeast, we have constructed PGK1/MAT alpha 1 and ACT1/MAT alpha 1 gene fusions and analyzed the decay rates of the resultant chimeric transcripts. Fusion of a MAT alpha 1 segment containing 73% of the coding region and the 3' untranslated region to either of the stable genes is sufficient to cause rapid decay of the chimeric mRNAs (t1/2 = 6-7.5 min). Sequences required for this rapid decay are not found in the MAT alpha 1 3' untranslated region but are located within a 42-nucleotide segment of the coding region that has a high content (8 out of 14) of rare codons. Introduction of a translational stop codon upstream of this region stabilizes the hybrid mRNAs, indicating that the rapid decay promoted by these sequences is dependent on ribosomal translocation.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1990 Apr;87(7):2780-4. Link to article on publisher's website