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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Metabolic Labeling with 4-thiouracil and the Quantification of Newly Synthesized mRNA As a Proxy for RNA Polymerase II Activity
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The fission yeast APC activator Ste9 is regulated by mRNA decay

Beatriz Alvarez1, Miguel A Blanco, Sergio Moreno

  • 1Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.

Cell Cycle (Georgetown, Tex.)
|April 22, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Fission yeast Ste9/Srw1 protein levels are regulated by mRNA decay, a novel mechanism controlling gene expression. This instability ensures timely entry into mitosis by regulating cyclin B accumulation.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Fission yeast Ste9/Srw1, an APC activator, regulates mitotic cyclins and cell cycle progression.
  • Cell cycle events rely on precise regulation of gene transcription and protein phosphorylation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate mRNA decay as a novel regulatory mechanism for ste9+ gene expression during the cell cycle.
  • To characterize the 3'UTR elements responsible for ste9 mRNA instability.
  • To determine the role of ste9 mRNA instability in cell cycle control.

Main Methods:

  • Characterization of 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) elements in ste9 mRNA.
  • Analysis of ste9 mRNA stability and Ste9 protein levels during the cell cycle.
  • Investigation of cyclin B accumulation in relation to Ste9 levels.

Main Results:

  • mRNA decay identified as a novel mechanism regulating ste9+ gene expression.
  • Specific elements within the 3'UTR of ste9 mRNA were found to mediate this instability.
  • Ste9 mRNA instability is crucial for downregulating Ste9 protein levels in G2 phase.
  • This downregulation allows for proper cyclin B accumulation, facilitating timely entry into mitosis.

Conclusions:

  • mRNA decay provides a new layer of post-transcriptional regulation for APC activators like Ste9/Srw1.
  • The 3'UTR of ste9 mRNA plays a critical role in controlling gene expression through mRNA instability.
  • Regulated instability of ste9 mRNA is essential for accurate cell cycle progression in fission yeast.

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