Translational regulation of the lysis gene in RNA bacteriophage fr requires a UUG initiation codon.
Single nucleotide substitutions identify a UUG triplet as the initiation codon of the lysis gene in RNA bacteriophage fr. This initiation codon is non-functional in de novo initiation but is activated by translational termination at the overlapping coat gene. The UUG initiation codon is crucial for gene regulation in the phage, as it excludes uncontrolled access of ribosomes to the start of the lysis gene. Replacement of UUG by either GUG or AUG results in the loss of genetic control of the lysis gene. A model is presented in which initiation factor IF3 proofreads de novo initiation at UUG codons.
Adhin
M R
MR
Department of Biochemistry, Leiden University, Gorlaeus Laboratoria, The Netherlands.
van Duin
J
J
D001433:Bacteriolysis; D001483:Base Sequence; D003062:Codon / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005814:Genes, Viral; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D010957:Plasmids; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012317:RNA Phages / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D003062:Codon; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral