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A persistent untranslated sequence within bacteriophage T4 DNA topoisomerase gene 60
1Department of Cellular, Viral and Molecular Biology, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City 84132.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|February 26, 1988
Summary
Escherichia coli bacteriophage T4 gene 60 contains a 50-nucleotide sequence within its coding region that is not removed from messenger RNA before translation. This suggests a non-colinear relationship between gene sequence and protein product in this DNA topoisomerase subunit.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Virology
Background:
- Bacteriophage T4 gene 60 encodes a subunit of type II DNA topoisomerase.
- Gene expression typically involves colinearity between mRNA sequence and protein sequence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an unusual sequence feature within bacteriophage T4 gene 60.
- To understand its implications for gene expression and protein synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Sequence analysis of bacteriophage T4 gene 60.
- Analysis of messenger RNA structure and processing.
- Hypothesizing translational mechanisms.
Main Results:
- A 50-nucleotide untranslated region was identified within the coding sequence of gene 60.
- This region is transcribed into mRNA and not removed before translation.
- The interruption is flanked by a direct repeat of five base pairs.
Conclusions:
- The usual colinearity between mRNA and protein sequence is disrupted in bacteriophage T4 gene 60.
- A proposed ribosomal skipping mechanism may explain translation despite the interruption.
- Alternative processing of mRNA, though unlikely, cannot be entirely excluded.