Biomaterial Database

Regulation of ribosomal protein synthesis in Escherichia coli by selective mRNA inactivation. 1979

A M Fallon, and C S Jinks, and G D Strycharz, and M Nomura

In an Escherichia coli strain lysogenic for lambda spc2 transducing phage, an extra copy of ribosomal protein (r-protein) genes in the spc and alpha operons are carried on the phage chromosome. Expression of genes in the spc operon in this merodiploid strain was compared with that in a control "haploid" strain carrying lambda trkA phage. It was found that the synthesis rate of spc mRNA, relative to other reference mRNA in the merodiploid strain, is about 2-fold higher than that in the control strain; yet, no dosage effect was observed in the synthesis rate of r-proteins in the spc or alpha operon. The spc mRNA was found to be more rapidly degraded in the merodiploid strain than in the control strain, and its steady-state amount, relative to reference mRNA, was only slightly higher in the merodiploid strain than in the control strain. Thus, E. coli cells have the ability to regulate the rate of r-protein synthesis regardless of the rate of transcription of r-protein genes, presumably by inactivation of the mRNA followed by its degradation. A model is proposed which involves selective inactivation of r-protein mRNA by a feedback mechanism. The model can explain coordinated synthesis of r-proteins and other observations related to selective expression of certain alleles in diploid strains.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D010582	Bacteriophage lambda	A temperate inducible phage and type species of the genus lambda-like viruses, in the family SIPHOVIRIDAE. Its natural host is E. coli K12. Its VIRION contains linear double-stranded DNA with single-stranded 12-base 5' sticky ends. The DNA circularizes on infection.	Coliphage lambda,Enterobacteria phage lambda,Phage lambda,lambda Phage
D004926	Escherichia coli	A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.	Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D005246	Feedback	A mechanism of communication within a system in that the input signal generates an output response which returns to influence the continued activity or productivity of that system.	Feedbacks
D005784	Gene Amplification	A selective increase in the number of copies of a gene coding for a specific protein without a proportional increase in other genes. It occurs naturally via the excision of a copy of the repeating sequence from the chromosome and its extrachromosomal replication in a plasmid, or via the production of an RNA transcript of the entire repeating sequence of ribosomal RNA followed by the reverse transcription of the molecule to produce an additional copy of the original DNA sequence. Laboratory techniques have been introduced for inducing disproportional replication by unequal crossing over, uptake of DNA from lysed cells, or generation of extrachromosomal sequences from rolling circle replication.	Amplification, Gene
D001426	Bacterial Proteins	Proteins found in any species of bacterium.	Bacterial Gene Products,Bacterial Gene Proteins,Gene Products, Bacterial,Bacterial Gene Product,Bacterial Gene Protein,Bacterial Protein,Gene Product, Bacterial,Gene Protein, Bacterial,Gene Proteins, Bacterial,Protein, Bacterial,Proteins, Bacterial
D012269	Ribosomal Proteins	Proteins found in ribosomes. They are believed to have a catalytic function in reconstituting biologically active ribosomal subunits.	Proteins, Ribosomal,Ribosomal Protein,Protein, Ribosomal
D012329	RNA, Bacterial	Ribonucleic acid in bacteria having regulatory and catalytic roles as well as involvement in protein synthesis.	Bacterial RNA
D012333	RNA, Messenger	RNA sequences that serve as templates for protein synthesis. Bacterial mRNAs are generally primary transcripts in that they do not require post-transcriptional processing. Eukaryotic mRNA is synthesized in the nucleus and must be exported to the cytoplasm for translation. Most eukaryotic mRNAs have a sequence of polyadenylic acid at the 3' end, referred to as the poly(A) tail. The function of this tail is not known for certain, but it may play a role in the export of mature mRNA from the nucleus as well as in helping stabilize some mRNA molecules by retarding their degradation in the cytoplasm.	Messenger RNA,Messenger RNA, Polyadenylated,Poly(A) Tail,Poly(A)+ RNA,Poly(A)+ mRNA,RNA, Messenger, Polyadenylated,RNA, Polyadenylated,mRNA,mRNA, Non-Polyadenylated,mRNA, Polyadenylated,Non-Polyadenylated mRNA,Poly(A) RNA,Polyadenylated mRNA,Non Polyadenylated mRNA,Polyadenylated Messenger RNA,Polyadenylated RNA,RNA, Polyadenylated Messenger,mRNA, Non Polyadenylated
D014158	Transcription, Genetic	The biosynthesis of RNA carried out on a template of DNA. The biosynthesis of DNA from an RNA template is called REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION.	Genetic Transcription