Auxiliary downstream elements are required for efficient polyadenylation of mammalian pre-mRNAs.
We have previously identified a G-rich sequence (GRS) as an auxiliary downstream element (AUX DSE) which influences the processing efficiency of the SV40 late polyadenylation signal. We have now determined that sequences downstream of the core U-rich element (URE) form a fundamental part of mammalian polyadenylation signals. These novel AUX DSEs all influenced the efficiency of 3'-end processing in vitro by stabilizing the assembly of CstF on the core downstream URE. Three possible mechanisms by which AUX DSEs mediate efficient in vitro 3'-end processing have been explored. First, AUX DSEs can promote processing efficiency by maintaining the core elements in an unstructured domain which allows the general polyadenylation factors to efficiently assemble on the RNA substrate. Second, AUX DSEs can enhance processing by forming a stable structure which helps focus binding of CstF to the core downstream URE. Finally, the GRS element, but not the binding site for the bacteriophage R17 coat protein, can substitute for the auxiliary downstream region of the adenovirus L3 polyadenylation signal. This suggests that AUX DSE binding proteins may play an active role in stimulating 3'-end processing by stabilizing the association of CstF with the RNA substrate. AUX DSEs, therefore, serve as a integral part of the polyadenylation signal and can affect signal strength and possibly regulation.
Chen
F
F
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
Wilusz
J
J
D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002213:Capsid / Q000737:chemistry; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D002457:Cell Extracts; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000235:genetics; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008324:Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics*; D013539:Simian virus 40 / Q000235:genetics; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D039221:mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors
D036022:Capsid Proteins; D002457:Cell Extracts; D012322:RNA Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D039221:mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors