An analysis of vertebrate mRNA sequences: intimations of translational control.
Five structural features in mRNAs have been found to contribute to the fidelity and efficiency of initiation by eukaryotic ribosomes. Scrutiny of vertebrate cDNA sequences in light of these criteria reveals a set of transcripts--encoding oncoproteins, growth factors, transcription factors, and other regulatory proteins--that seem designed to be translated poorly. Thus, throttling at the level of translation may be a critical component of gene regulation in vertebrates. An alternative interpretation is that some (perhaps many) cDNAs with encumbered 5' noncoding sequences represent mRNA precursors, which would imply extensive regulation at a posttranscriptional step that precedes translation.
Kozak
M
M
Department of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway 08854.
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014714:Vertebrates
D012333:RNA, Messenger