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Chemical stability of bacteriophage T7 early mRNA
Abstract:
T7 early mRNA produced by a gene 1 amber mutant phage, T7 am27, is chemically stable interms of acid insolubility and T7 DNA hybridizability. However, the messenger activity of individual T7 early mRNA species, transcripts of gene 1, gene 0.7, and gene 1.3, decay with a half-life of about 6.5 min at 30 C. An extensive secondary structure is present in all T7 early mRNA species and is probably responsible for the chemical stability of the RNAs after the loss of functional activity. It is unlikely that ribosomes protect T7 early mRNA from nucleolytic degradation.
Insights
T7 early messenger RNA (mRNA) from phage T7 am27 remains chemically stable but loses messenger activity rapidly. Extensive secondary structures likely confer stability to T7 early mRNA after functional decay.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- RNA Biochemistry
Background:
- Bacteriophage T7 is a well-studied model organism for gene expression.
- T7 early mRNA plays a crucial role in the initial stages of viral infection.
- Understanding mRNA stability is key to deciphering gene regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chemical stability and messenger activity decay of T7 early mRNA.
- To explore the role of secondary structure in T7 early mRNA stability.
- To determine if ribosomes protect T7 early mRNA from degradation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of T7 early mRNA (transcripts of genes 1, 0.7, and 1.3) from T7 am27 mutant phage.
- Assessing chemical stability via acid insolubility and T7 DNA hybridizability.
- Measuring messenger activity decay rates at 30°C.
Main Results:
- T7 early mRNA exhibited chemical stability (acid insolubility, DNA hybridizability).
- Messenger activity decayed with a half-life of approximately 6.5 minutes at 30°C.
- All T7 early mRNA species possessed extensive secondary structures.
Conclusions:
- The secondary structure of T7 early mRNA is likely responsible for its chemical stability post-activity loss.
- Ribosomal protection is unlikely to be the mechanism preventing T7 early mRNA degradation.
- T7 early mRNA stability is regulated post-transcriptionaly, independent of translation.