5'-Terminal 7-methylguanosine in eukaryotic mRNA is required for translation.
Unmethylated reovirus and VSV mRNAs are specifically methylated to form 5'-terminal structures of the type, m-7-G(5')ppp(5')N by protein synthesising extracts prepared from wheat germ and mouse L cells. Reticulocyte mRNA also contains 5'-terminal m-7-G. MRNAs having 5'-terminal m-7-G stimulate protein synthesis in vitro. Removal of m-7-G by beta-elimination abolishes translation of the mRNAs.
D000818:Animals; D002474:Cell-Free System; D004590:Electrophoresis, Paper; D006151:Guanosine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007739:L Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008745:Methylation; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D012087:Reoviridae / Q000378:metabolism; D012156:Reticulocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D014908:Triticum / Q000378:metabolism; D014316:Tritium; D014721:Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus / Q000378:metabolism; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014779:Virus Replication
D010940:Plant Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; D014316:Tritium; D006151:Guanosine