Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay of the ferric and cupric reductase mRNAs FRE1 and FRE2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

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Measurement of mRNA Decay Rates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using rpb1-1 Strains
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Measurement of mRNA Decay Rates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using rpb1-1 Strains

Published on: December 13, 2014

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Megan Peccarelli1, Taylor D Scott1, Bessie W Kebaara1

  • 1Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.

FEBS Letters
|July 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway differentially regulates yeast mRNAs. NMD controls FRE2 mRNA levels, but not FRE1 mRNA, indicating conditional regulation of functionally related genes.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Gene Regulation
  • Yeast Genetics

Background:

  • The nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway is a crucial cellular surveillance mechanism that degrades aberrant and some functional mRNAs.
  • NMD regulation is influenced by mRNA features and environmental signals, impacting gene expression.
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae possesses multiple reductase enzymes, including ferric and cupric reductases, encoded by genes like FRE1 and FRE2.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of NMD in regulating the expression of FRE1 and FRE2 mRNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • To determine if NMD-mediated regulation of these functionally related mRNAs is similar or distinct.
  • To identify specific mRNA elements, such as the 3'-UTR, involved in NMD-mediated control.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of FRE1 and FRE2 mRNA levels under various conditions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • Investigating the contribution of the FRE2 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) to mRNA stability.
  • Utilizing genetic and molecular biology techniques to assess NMD pathway activity.

Main Results:

  • FRE2 mRNA was found to be regulated by the NMD pathway under non-inducing conditions.
  • The 3'-UTR of FRE2 mRNA was identified as a key element contributing to its NMD-mediated degradation.
  • In contrast, FRE1 mRNA did not exhibit NMD-mediated regulation under similar experimental conditions.

Conclusions:

  • NMD-mediated regulation of functionally related mRNAs can be both differential and conditional.
  • The specific mRNA sequence and structure, particularly the 3'-UTR, dictate susceptibility to NMD.
  • This study highlights the nuanced control of gene expression by mRNA decay pathways in yeast.
Keywords:
FRE1-2 mRNASaccharomyces cerevisiaebiometal homeostasismRNA decaynonsense-mediated mRNA decay

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