The Enzymatic Cleavage of 5′-Triphosphate Termini from Ribonucleic Acid Polymerase Products

A Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA 5'-triphosphatase related to mRNA capping enzyme

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae mRNA capping enzyme consists of two subunits: the RNA 5'-triphosphatase (Cet1) and the mRNA guanylyltransferase (Ceg1). Using computer homology searching, a S. cerevisiae gene was identified that encodes a protein resembling the C-terminal region of Cet1. Accordingly, we designated this gene CTL1 (capping enzyme RNAtriphosphatase-like 1). CTL1 is not essential for cell viability and no genetic or physical interactions with the capping enzyme genes were observed. The protein is found in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Recombinant Ctl1 protein releases gamma-phosphate from the 5'-end of RNA to produce a diphosphate terminus. The enzyme is specific for polynucleotide RNA in the presence of magnesium, but becomes specific for nucleotide triphosphates in the presence of manganese. Ctl1 is the second member of the yeast RNA triphosphatase family, but is probably involved in an RNA processing event other than mRNA capping.

Distribution of 5'-triphosphate termini on the mRNA of Escherichia coli

We have determined the distribution of 5'-nucleoside triphosphates on the RNA in Escherichia coli. These groups represent the initial nucleoside triphosphate incorporated when RNA polymerase initiates transcription. It was estimated that at least 15% of polysome-associated messengers had triphosphates. This was interpreted to mean that removal of the triphosphate or messenger leader is not necessary for the functioning of most mRNAs but that a substantial amount of messenger processing occurs in the polysome pool. We found that the ratio of GTP- to ATP-initiated messengers was about 2 to 1. Since prior work has indicated that G- and A-initiated RNAs decay at the same rate and since a compilation of messenger start sites shows an A preference, this value implies that there is a significant physiological selection of G-initiated transcripts. We also characterized the 5'-terminal groups on RNAs in other fractions. A small amount was found associated with 30S ribosomes, presumably in initiation complexes; such complexes have not previously been detected in situ. In addition, it was concluded that the 5' terminus of rRNA precursors is processed more rapidly than is implied by the current literature.