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Autoregulation of RNase III operon by mRNA processing
J C Bardwell1, P Régnier, S M Chen
1Laboratory of Chromosome Biology, Frederick Cancer Research Facility, MD 21701.
The EMBO Journal
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Ribonuclease III (RNase III) controls gene expression by processing messenger RNA (mRNA). RNase III cleaves the rnc operon mRNA, leading to its rapid degradation and reduced protein production.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Gene Regulation
- Enzymology
Background:
- Ribonuclease III (RNase III) is known to play a role in controlling gene expression through messenger RNA (mRNA) processing.
- The specific mechanisms by which RNase III regulates gene expression are not fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the autoregulation of the rnc operon by RNase III.
- To identify the role of RNase III in the processing and stability of rnc operon mRNA.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of rnc operon mRNA and protein product levels in wild-type and rnc- mutant strains.
- Site-specific cleavage assays using purified RNase III on rnc operon mRNA.
- Measurement of mRNA half-life for both cleaved and uncleaved transcripts.
Main Results:
- rnc- mutant strains exhibit overproduction of rnc operon mRNA and protein products, indicating autoregulation.
- RNase III specifically cleaves a site within the 5'-noncoding region of the rnc operon mRNA.
- Cleavage of the mRNA by RNase III significantly reduces its half-life, leading to functional inactivation.
Conclusions:
- The rnc operon is negatively autoregulated by RNase III.
- RNase III-mediated site-specific cleavage of the 5'-noncoding region of rnc operon mRNA is a key step in its degradation and regulation of gene expression.