title: Differential mRNA stability controls relative gene expression within a polycistronic operon.
abstract: In this paper we demonstrate a role for mRNA stability in controlling relative gene expression within a polycistronic operon. The polycistronic malEFG operon of E. coli contains two REP sequences (highly conserved inverted repeats) within the malE-malF intercistronic region. Deletion of these REP sequences from the chromosomal operon not only destabilizes upstream malE mRNA, but also results in a 9-fold reduction in the synthesis of MalE protein. A single REP sequence seems to be as efficient as the two normally found in this intergenic region at stabilizing translationally active upstream mRNA. The widespread occurrence of REP sequences and other sequences that could potentially stabilize upstream mRNA suggests that this mechanism of control of gene expression may be rather common.
mesh_terms: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008320:Maltose / Q000378:metabolism; D058619:Maltose-Binding Proteins; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins; D009876:Operon; D033902:Periplasmic Binding Proteins; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C461619:MalE protein, E coli; D058619:Maltose-Binding Proteins; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins; D033902:Periplasmic Binding Proteins; D011134:Polysaccharides; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C461599:maltose transport system, E coli; D008320:Maltose; C008315:maltodextrin