title: On the possible modulating role of the isoleucine AUA-codon in bacteriophage MS2 RNA.
abstract: A set of MS2 mutants were shown to have an additional silent mutation met --> ile at position 108 of the coat protein. As transitions are more frequent than transversions one would have expected an AUA codon in this position in the mutant RNAs. As the AUA codon is one of the best candidates for a modulation role in the control of translation in E. coli, the presence of this AUA in the gene for the protein made in major amounts upon viral infection would impose serious doubt on the theory of modulation. We have directly proven by minifinger-printing of mutant RNA and further analysis of the relevant spots that, in fact, the isoleucine residue at position 108 of the coat protein gene is specified by the non-rate-limiting AUU codon, in agreement with a modulation type of control of protein synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Jou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Montagu
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fiers
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003062:Codon / Q000235:genetics*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D007532:Isoleucine / Q000235:genetics*; D017909:Levivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006163:Ribonuclease T1 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D036022:Capsid Proteins; D003062:Codon; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D012367:RNA, Viral; D007532:Isoleucine; D006163:Ribonuclease T1