Identification of two critical base pairings in 5' untranslated regions affecting translation efficiency of synthetic uncapped globin mRNAs

Contrasting expression of KAL in cell-free systems: 5' UTR and coding region structural effects on translation

We investigated the expression of two different X-linked Kallmann (KAL) gene cDNAs in two different cell-free systems using rabbit reticulocyte lysate: (system A) transcription/translation coupled and (system B) noncoupled. System A yielded a single band of 76 kDa corresponding to anosmin-1, the expected full-length gene product, and upon addition of canine microsomal membranes produced a 85-kDa glycosylated form. System B did not produce any detectable protein band despite the expression of a beta-galactosidase-positive control gene. The first 179 bases of the coding sequence are 74% GC-rich and showed the potential to form imperfect hairpin structures, which in part may explain the translation inhibition of KAL in system B. This has further led us to speculate that coupling transcription to translation may either be preventing translating-inhibiting hairpin formation or be compensating for the lack of certain tissue-specific proteins in reticulocyte lysate that are essential in overcoming inhibitory hairpins during translation. Substitution of the 5'-UTR with an encephalomyocarditis virus internal ribosomal entry site (EMCV IRES) sequence resulted paradoxically in a lower yield of anosmin-1, suggesting that elements in the 5'UTR may be necessary for maintaining a "normal" level of expression. The use of KAL and luciferase reporters (containing different 5'UTRs) demonstrated that the native KAL 5' UTR is not involved in translational efficiency. However, this sequence may influence faithful translation initiation. Theoretical RNA conformation data imply that effective EMCV IRES usage with KAL may require favorable pairing between the IRES and unidentified sequences within the 5' coding region of the gene. This work provides a foundation both for the investigation of KAL regulation and for the characterization of its function.

Characterization of the transcription start point of the trout estrogen receptor-encoding gene: evidence for alternative splicing in the 5' untranslated region

The estrogen receptor (ER)-encoding gene (ER) regulates many genes implicated in the reproductive functions. Moreover, rainbow trout ER (rtER) is itself up-regulated by its own product. We have used Northern blot, RNase protection, primer extension and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to study the position of the rtER mRNA transcription start point (tsp) in liver. This analysis has revealed the presence of a tsp positioned at the beginning of the cloned rtER cDNA. Functionality of this tsp was tested in transient transfections in CHO-K1 cells. The characterization of the rtER 5' untranslated region (UTR) showed that two transcripts exist in liver which differ in their 5'-UTR. The first one is 100% homologous to the cloned rtER cDNA sequence. The other one contains a 41-bp insertion. The isolation and sequencing of the first intron showed that this insertion arises from alternative splicing, due to the use of a splicing site internal to the first intron.

A new alpha chain variant Hb Sallanches [alpha 2 104(G11) Cys-->Tyr] associated with HbH disease in one homozygous patient

We identified a new alpha-chain variant (alpha Sal) associated with haemolytic anaemia and low level of HbH in one homozygous patient. This new mutation is located in codon 104 (TGC-->TAC) of the alpha 2 globin gene and results in a Cys-->Tyr replacement. In vitro and in vivo biosynthetic studies suggest that the mechanism leading to HbH disease in this homozygous patient is mostly related to a significant instability of alpha Sal:beta dimers rather than to the hyperinstability of the alpha Sal chain itself only.

Features in the 5' non-coding sequences of rabbit alpha and beta-globin mRNAs that affect translational efficiency

The 5' non-coding sequence of rabbit beta-globin mRNA was mutagenized in an attempt to identify structural features that might contribute to the ability to support translation in an homologous rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Translational efficiency was not reduced by substitutions introduced in nearly every position of the beta-globin leader sequence, suggesting that the 5' non-coding domain of this highly efficient mRNA contains no special effector motifs. Instead, efficient translation appears to require only a moderately long leader sequence devoid of secondary structure, especially near the 5' end. Consistent with that interpretation, substitutions in several positions actually improved translation relative to the wild-type beta-globin leader sequence; experimental assessment of the secondary structure of these derivatives revealed a perfect inverse correlation between secondary structure content and translational efficiency. Other experiments probed the structural basis for the long-noted difference in translational efficiency between rabbit alpha and beta-globin mRNAs, a difference that was reproduced here using only the 5' non-coding domains of those mRNAs. The possibility that translation of ribosomal protein mRNAs might be modulated by a mechanism similar to that of alpha-globin mRNA is discussed. Because the beta-globin leader sequence has been incorporated into some popular expression vectors, and because globin genes are targets for gene therapy, this analysis of how globin mRNA leader sequences function in translation and how they can be improved may have practical applications.