Natural antisense transcripts of the S locus receptor kinase gene and related sequences in Brassica oleracea.
Gene expression can be inhibited by antisense RNA transcripts. Although this phenomenon is widely used to analyse gene function in plants, the molecular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. One approach to improving our understanding of antisense gene regulation is to analyse the function of endogenous antisense transcripts. To date, only a small number of plant genes have been shown to be transcribed in both directions and limited information is available concerning the role of natural antisense transcripts in plants. In this study, we have identified several natural antisense transcripts which hybridise to probes derived from the S locus receptor kinase gene (SRK). The RNase protection assay and reverse trancriptase-PCR were used to demonstrate that a proportion of the antisense transcripts are encoded directly by SRK. Using different RNase protection probes, regions of the promoter, exon I (which encodes the S domain) and intron I of SRK were shown to be transcribed in an antisense direction. An antisense SRK transcript was shown to inhibit translation of a sense transcript in vitro. The possible role of antisense SRK transcripts in vivo is discussed.
Cock
J M
JM
Reproduction et Développement des Plantes, UMR 9938 CNRS-INRA-ENSL, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, France. Mark.Cock@cri.ens-lyon.fr
Swarup
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R
Dumas
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D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics) / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D001937:Brassica / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D016372:RNA, Antisense / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D019105:Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; D012260:Ribonucleases
D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics); D018744:DNA, Plant; D010940:Plant Proteins; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018749:RNA, Plant; D011494:Protein Kinases; C079832:S-receptor kinase; D012260:Ribonucleases