Abstract
High-level expression of the major pilus subunit (PapA) of uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli results in part from the unusually long lifetime of the mRNA that encodes this protein. Here we report that the longevity of papA mRNA derives in large measure from the protection afforded by its 5' untranslated region. This papA RNA segment can prolong the lifetime of an otherwise short-lived mRNA to which it is fused. In vivo alkylation studies indicate that, in its natural milieu, the papA message begins with a stem-loop structure. This stem-loop is important for the stabilizing effect of the papA 5' untranslated region, as evidenced by the significant acceleration in papA mRNA decay that results from its removal.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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5' Untranslated Regions / chemistry*
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5' Untranslated Regions / genetics
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5' Untranslated Regions / metabolism
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Alkylation
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
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Base Sequence
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CME-Carbodiimide / analogs & derivatives
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Escherichia coli / genetics*
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Escherichia coli Proteins*
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Fimbriae Proteins
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Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
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Genes, Bacterial / genetics
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Half-Life
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Nucleic Acid Conformation*
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RNA / chemistry
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RNA / genetics
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RNA / metabolism
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RNA, Bacterial / chemistry
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RNA, Bacterial / genetics
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RNA, Bacterial / metabolism
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RNA, Messenger / chemistry
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
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Sequence Deletion
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Sulfuric Acid Esters
Substances
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5' Untranslated Regions
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AtpA protein, E coli
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Bacterial Proteins
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Escherichia coli Proteins
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RNA, Bacterial
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RNA, Messenger
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RNA, recombinant
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Sulfuric Acid Esters
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Fimbriae Proteins
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1-cyclohexyl-3-(2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl)carbodiimide
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CME-Carbodiimide
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RNA
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dimethyl sulfate