Post-transcriptional effect of ultraviolet light on gene expression in human cells. Stabilization of cytokine-induced and poly(I).poly(C)-induced messenger RNA.
It is well established that ultraviolet light modulates gene expression in mammalian cells, particularly at transcriptional and post-translational levels. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether the fate of mRNA is also altered in ultraviolet-light-irradiated human cells. In order to facilitate distinction between transcriptional and post-transcriptional effects, this analysis has focused on six genes whose transcription is conditional on the supply of exogenous inducers, interferon-alpha, interleukin-1 alpha or the double-stranded RNA, poly(I).poly(C). Human cells induced to express these genes were found to retain a significantly higher concentration of corresponding transcripts when irradiated with ultraviolet light at the end of the inducing treatment. This stimulation was due to dose-dependent ultraviolet-light stabilization of preformed mRNA, as shown by run-on and pulse/chase experiments. This work uncovers a new facet of the cellular response to genotoxic stresses, i.e. extension of the life-span of transcription products. Whether this stabilizing effect contributes to cell recovery by promoting gene expression remains to be determined.
Hilgers
G
G
Department of Molecular Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rhode St. Genèse, Belgium.
Clauss
I M
IM
Huez
G A
GA
Rommelaere
J
J
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000378:metabolism; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D011070:Poly I-C