Related Experiment Videos
The relationship between mRNA half-life and gene function in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
J Moore1, H T Jacobs, K Kaiser
1Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK.
Abstract:
Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) mRNAs have been described as falling into two major classes with respect to mRNA half-life [Santiago et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 14 (1986) 8347-8360]. We have used DNA sequence analysis to address the functional roles of eleven of the thirteen cDNAs upon which Santiago et al. based their conclusions. Eight had been described as copies of short half-life and five as copies of long-half-life mRNAs. We show here that five members of the short-half-life class encode known Sc cytosolic ribosomal proteins (rp). One further short-half-life cDNA appears to encode a new Sc rp related to higher eukaryotic rp S12. Among the long-half-life cDNAs, one encodes the glucose-inducible glycolytic enzyme enolase, while another is related to the mouse housekeeping gene MER5.
Insights
DNA sequence analysis reveals Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) mRNA half-lives. Short-half-life mRNAs often encode ribosomal proteins, while long-half-life mRNAs include glycolytic enzymes like enolase.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Yeast Genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation
Background:
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) mRNA populations are classified by half-life.
- Previous studies identified two major mRNA half-life classes in Sc.
- Eleven cDNAs were previously categorized into short or long half-life mRNA groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the functional roles of eleven cDNAs previously classified by mRNA half-life.
- To investigate the relationship between mRNA stability and protein function in Sc.
- To identify novel genes and proteins within Sc mRNA half-life classes.
Main Methods:
- DNA sequence analysis of eleven cDNAs.
- Comparison of cDNA sequences to known gene databases.
- Identification of encoded proteins and their functional annotations.
Main Results:
- Five short-half-life cDNAs encode known Saccharomyces cerevisiae cytosolic ribosomal proteins (rp).
- One additional short-half-life cDNA encodes a novel Sc rp, similar to higher eukaryotic rp S12.
- Long-half-life cDNAs include genes for the glucose-inducible glycolytic enzyme enolase and a mouse MER5-related gene.
Conclusions:
- mRNA half-life in Sc correlates with protein function, particularly for ribosomal proteins.
- Discovery of a novel rp in the short-half-life class suggests specific regulatory mechanisms.
- Identification of enolase and MER5-related genes in the long-half-life class provides insights into metabolic and housekeeping gene regulation.