Novel initiation of RNA synthesis in vitro by vesicular stomatitis virus

Studies on the structure and possible function of the RNA "cap" in developing sea urchins

Paracentrotus lividus embryos at the hatching blastula stage very quickly incorporate radioactivity from labeled nucleosides (except uridine) or 32P- or methyl-labeled methionine into a portion of the RNA that has been identified as a "cap". The most probable sequence of this cap is m7G (5') ppp (5')mAmpCp. A very active "capping" and methylation of the "cap" of preexisting RNA molecules was shown to occur at the blastula stage.

Translation in vitro of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA lacking 5'-terminal 7-methylguanosine

The 5'-terminus 7-methylguanosine of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA is not essential for translation of the mRNA. The 7-methylguanosine seems to have a mediating rather than an obligatory role in ribosome binding by the mRNA and in mRNA translation.

Evidence for role of m7G5'-phosphate group in recognition of eukaryotic mRNA by initiation factor IF-M3

7-methylguanosine 5'-monophosphate inhibits protein synthesis in a fractionated, messenger-dependent, reticulocyte cell-free system. This compound also inhibits binding of histone mRNA to reticulocyte ribosomes as well as interaction of VSV mRNA and histone mRNA but not EMC virus RNA with purified initiation factor IF-M3. These studies provide evidence that the role of 7-methylguanosine in the mechanism for initiation of eukaryotic mRNA translation may be related to specific recognition of mRNA by initiation factor IF-M3.

Inhibition of initiation of protein synthesis by 7-methylguanosine-5'-monophosphate

Translation of rabbit globin mRNA in a wheat germ protein-synthesizing system is inhibited by the nucleotide 7-methylguanosine-5'-monophosphate (m7G5'p) but not by other guanosine nucleotides without the 7-methyl group or with the phosphate in a different position. Translation of RNA of tobacco mosaic virus and poly(A) + HeLa RNA is also inhibited by m7G5'p. We show that m7G5'p prevents the association of mRNA with ribosomal subunits to form an initiation complex. We propose that m7G5'p interacts with a site on initiation factor(s) or ribosomes which is involved in mRNA recognition, presumably by binding to the 5'-terminal sequence m7G5'ppp. m7G5'p does not inhibit translation of poly(U) and RNA of satellite tobacco necrosis virus, which do not have the 5'-terminal sequence m7G5'ppp. In the case of RNA of satellite tobacco necrosis virus, some stimulation of its translation is consistently observed in the presence of m7G5'p; possible interpretations of this finding are discussed.

Cucumber mosaic virus RNA contains 7-methyl guanosine at the 5'-terminus of all four RNA species

Purified cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) RNA was reacted with NaIO4 and then [3H]KBH4 to label ends containing exposed 2',3'-hydroxyls. The four major RNA species were then fractionated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Analysis of digests of these RNAs by ribonucleases T1 plus T2, alkaline phosphatease, snake venom diesterase and nucleotide pyrophosphatase by means of paper electrophoresis and ion-exchange chromatography indicated that the sequence m7G(5')ppp(5')N was present at the 5'-end of 75-92% of all RNA molecules. In addition, about 90% of the 3'-ends terminated in either adenosine or cytidine.

Very short-lived and stable mRNAs from resting human lymphocytes

The kinetics of degradation of newly synthesized cytoplasmic poly(A)-bearing RNA have been examined in resting human lymphocytes. Two classes were identified, a very labile component with a half-life of less than 17 min and a stable component which remains apparently undiminished during 24 hr of observation. Both classes have molecular weights between 2.5 and 3.5 x 10(5) but the stable material has a narrower size distribution and a slightly lower average molecular weight than the short-lived component. The fate of stable RNA synthesized in the resting cell was also examined after growth stimulation with phytohemagglutinin after 2 and 6 hr of treatment. No transfer of stable material into the labile pool could be discerned; the amount of stable material remained constant. The existence of two species of mRNAs with different lifetimes in animal cells provides a potential means for regulation of protein synthesis by controlling the supply of specific messages. Furthermore, such a short-lived mRNA species may explain the observed disparity between the amount of poly(A)-bearing heterogeneous RNA produced in the nucleus and the amount of mature message found in the cytoplasm.

5'-Terminal 7-methylguanosine in eukaryotic mRNA is required for translation

Unmethylated reovirus and VSV mRNAs are specifically methylated to form 5'-terminal structures of the type, m-7-G(5')ppp(5')N by protein synthesising extracts prepared from wheat germ and mouse L cells. Reticulocyte mRNA also contains 5'-terminal m-7-G. MRNAs having 5'-terminal m-7-G stimulate protein synthesis in vitro. Removal of m-7-G by beta-elimination abolishes translation of the mRNAs.