Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2025

Measurement of mRNA Decay Rates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using rpb1-1 Strains
12:21

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

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Unconventional mRNA processing and degradation pathways for the polycistronic yrzI (spyTA) mRNA in Bacillus subtilis

Laetitia Gilet1, Magali Leroy1, Alexandre Maes2

  • 1Expression Génétique Microbienne, CNRS - Université Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France.

FEBS Letters
|March 8, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Bacillus subtilis YrzI peptide is toxic, but S1025 neutralizes it. Rae1 (ribosome-associated endoribonuclease) and exoribonucleases degrade the yrzI mRNA via uncommon pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • RNA Biology

Background:

  • The yrzI operon in Bacillus subtilis encodes small peptides with unknown functions.
  • Ribosome-associated endoribonuclease Rae1 plays a role in mRNA degradation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the functions of YrzI and S1025 peptides.
  • To elucidate the degradation pathways of the yrzI polycistronic mRNA.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated peptide toxicity and interactions.
  • Analyzed mRNA stability and degradation mechanisms.
  • Utilized genetic and biochemical approaches in Bacillus subtilis.

Main Results:

  • YrzI exhibits toxicity, which is counteracted by co-expression with S1025.
  • S1025 acts as an antidote to YrzI toxicity in the absence of Rae1.
  • A stable mRNA intermediate forms due to upstream cleavage and ribosome stalling.
  • mRNA degradation occurs via Rae1-mediated cleavage within S1025 or 3'-exoribonuclease attack.

Conclusions:

  • YrzI and S1025 form a functional pair, with S1025 mitigating YrzI toxicity.
  • The yrzI mRNA degradation involves unusual pathways involving Rae1 and 3'-exoribonucleases in Bacillus subtilis.
Keywords:
B. subtilisRNA maturation and decayRNasesRae1translation

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