The stabilization of housekeeping transcripts in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes evidences a global regulation of RNA decay during stationary phase.
The relative steady state concentration of mRNAs of four housekeeping single-copy type Trypanosoma cruzi genes (actin, triosephosphate isomerase, trypanothion reductase and the ribosomal protein S4) was analyzed throughout the growth curve. A distinguishable pattern was observed with maximal levels occurring at the logarithmic phase of growth and minimum levels occurring at the stationary phase. The half-lives of all analyzed messenger RNAs, and also of three molecular species of immature ribosomal RNAs were increased in cells isolated from stationary phase. These results suggest the occurrence of a novel global regulation mechanism that might protect transcripts from degradation in stationary epimastigotes, probably as a strategy to perpetuate through this quiescent stage.
Cevallos
Ana María
AM
Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-228, 04510 México D.F., México.
Pérez-Escobar
Mariana
M
Espinosa
Norma
N
Herrera
Juliana
J
López-Villaseñor
Imelda
I
Hernández
Roberto
R
D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D020871:RNA Stability; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016053:RNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016053:RNA, Protozoan; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal