title: Analysis of the in vivo decay of the Escherichia coli dicistronic pyrF-orfF transcript: evidence for multiple degradation pathways.
abstract: Messenger RNA decay in Escherichia coli is slowed in pnp-7 (PNPase) rnb-500 (RNase II) rne-1(RNase E) multiple mutants. We have used Northern blots, S1 nuclease protection and primer extension analysis to map 18 endonucleolytic cleavage sites within the pyrF-orfF dicistronic transcript. Although examination of a total of 27 cleavage sites including those determined for the monocistronic trxA transcript revealed a complex pattern, the central four nucleotides within a cluster of 12 residues encompassing the cleavage sites showed a definite A/U preference. Also of interest was the processing of the dicistronic transcript to remove the downstream orfF sequence as a stable but untranslated RNA fragment. The data provide further support for the hypothesis that multiple decay pathways are involved in the decay of a single transcript. In particular, the pyrF-orfF transcript apparently can be degraded either in the 5' to 3' or the 3' to 5' direction. Our results are discussed in light of current models of mRNA decay involving polyadenylation and multiprotein decay complexes.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica, Universdade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Arraiano
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kushner
mesh_terms: D004722:Endoribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D009964:Orotidine-5'-Phosphate Decarboxylase / Q000235:genetics; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D015183:Restriction Mapping
chemical_list: D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004722:Endoribonucleases; D009964:Orotidine-5'-Phosphate Decarboxylase