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Wang J, Shin BS, Alvarado C, Kim JR, Bohlen J, Dever TE, Puglisi JD. Rapid 40S scanning and its regulation by mRNA structure during eukaryotic translation initiation. Cell 2022; 185:4474-4487.e17. [PMID: 36334590 PMCID: PMC9691599 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
How the eukaryotic 43S preinitiation complex scans along the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of a capped mRNA to locate the correct start codon remains elusive. Here, we directly track yeast 43S-mRNA binding, scanning, and 60S subunit joining by real-time single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy. 43S engagement with mRNA occurs through a slow, ATP-dependent process driven by multiple initiation factors including the helicase eIF4A. Once engaged, 43S scanning occurs rapidly and directionally at ∼100 nucleotides per second, independent of multiple cycles of ATP hydrolysis by RNA helicases post ribosomal loading. Scanning ribosomes can proceed through RNA secondary structures, but 5' UTR hairpin sequences near start codons drive scanning ribosomes at start codons backward in the 5' direction, requiring rescanning to arrive once more at a start codon. Direct observation of scanning ribosomes provides a mechanistic framework for translational regulation by 5' UTR structures and upstream near-cognate start codons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfan Wang
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Byung-Sik Shin
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carlos Alvarado
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joo-Ran Kim
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan Bohlen
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1163, Paris, France; University of Paris, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Thomas E Dever
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Joseph D Puglisi
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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2
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De Nijs Y, De Maeseneire SL, Soetaert WK. 5' untranslated regions: the next regulatory sequence in yeast synthetic biology. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 95:517-529. [PMID: 31863552 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
When developing industrial biotechnology processes, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast or brewer's yeast) is a popular choice as a microbial host. Many tools have been developed in the fields of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering to introduce heterologous pathways and tune their expression in yeast. Such tools mainly focus on controlling transcription, whereas post-transcriptional regulation is often overlooked. Herein we discuss regulatory elements found in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) and their influence on protein synthesis. We provide not only an overall picture, but also a set of design rules on how to engineer a 5' UTR. The reader is also referred to currently available models that allow gene expression to be tuned predictably using different 5' UTRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yatti De Nijs
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Centre for Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis (InBio.be), Department Biotechnology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sofie L De Maeseneire
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Centre for Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis (InBio.be), Department Biotechnology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim K Soetaert
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Centre for Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis (InBio.be), Department Biotechnology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
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3
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Mardanova ES, Beletsky AV, Ravin NV. Internal Initiation of Translation of mRNA in the Methylotrophic Yeast Hansenula polymorpha. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2016; 81:521-9. [PMID: 27297902 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297916050096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Besides regular cap-dependent translation of mRNA, eukaryotes exploit internal initiation of translation driven by internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs). It is supposed that internal initiation provides translation of cellular mRNAs under stress conditions where the cap-dependent initiation is reduced. A number of IRESs have been characterized in mammalian mRNAs, but only a few examples are known in lower eukaryotes, particularly in yeasts. Here we identified two IRESs in the thermotolerant methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha DL-1. These sites are located in 5'-untranslated regions of genes HPODL_02249 and HPODL_04025 encoding a hypothetical membrane protein and actin-binding protein, respectively. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, both IRESs drive expression of a second gene of a bicistronic mRNA, as well as translation of hairpin-containing monocistronic mRNA. The possibility of spurious splicing or presence of a cryptic promoter in the IRES sequences was ruled out, indicating that expression of a second gene of a bicistronic mRNA was IRES-dependent. We evaluated IRES activity of both elements and found that under normal physiological conditions its contribution to the overall translation of the respective mRNAs in yeast cells is about 0.3-0.4%. Therefore, these results suggest that the IRES-dependent translation initiation mechanism exists in Hansenula polymorpha.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S Mardanova
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia.
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4
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Ctk1 function is necessary for full translation initiation activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2014; 14:86-95. [PMID: 25416238 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00106-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Translation is a fundamental and highly regulated cellular process. Previously, we reported that the kinase and transcription elongation factor Ctk1 increases fidelity during translation elongation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we show that loss of Ctk1 function also affects the initiation step of translation. Translation active extracts from Ctk1-depleted cells show impaired translation activity of capped mRNA, but not mRNA reporters containing the cricket paralysis virus (CrPV) internal ribosome entry site (IRES). Furthermore, the formation of 80S initiation complexes is decreased, which is probably due to reduced subunit joining. In addition, we determined the changes in the phosphorylation pattern of a ribosome enriched fraction after depletion of Ctk1. Thus, we provide a catalogue of phosphoproteomic changes dependent on Ctk1. Taken together, our data suggest a stimulatory function of Ctk1 in 80S formation during translation initiation.
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5
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Gan R, Jewett MC. A combined cell-free transcription-translation system from Saccharomyces cerevisiae for rapid and robust protein synthe. Biotechnol J 2014; 9:641-51. [PMID: 24677809 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201300545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) provides a valuable platform for understanding, using, and expanding the capabilities of the translation apparatus. For example, high-throughput CFPS is helping to address the increasing discrepancy between genome sequence data and their translation products. Here, we report the development of a combined cell-free transcription-translation (Tx/Tl) system from Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is suitable for such efforts. First, we show the ability to enable translation initiation in a cap-independent manner. The performance of various genetic elements was assessed, including 5'-UTR, 3'-UTR, and length of poly(A) tail. A specific vector harboring the 5'-UTR fragment of the Ω sequence from the tobacco mosaic virus and a poly(A) tail of 50 nucleotides led to optimal performance. Second, we developed a simple, two-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for high-throughput production of linear templates for yeast CFPS. This procedure allows all functional elements needed for Tx/Tl to be added to an open-reading frame directly by overlap extension PCR. Our two-step PCR method was successfully applied to three reporter proteins: luciferase, green fluorescence protein, and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, yielding 7 to 12.5 μg mL-1 active protein after 1.5-h batch reactions. Surprisingly, the linear templates outperformed plasmid DNA by up to 60%. Hence, the presented CFPS method has the potential to rapidly prepare tens to thousands of DNA templates without time-consuming cloning work. Further, it holds promise for fast and convenient optimization of expression constructs, study of internal ribosome entry site, and production of protein libraries for genome-scale studies. See accompanying commentary by Russ and Dueber DOI: 10.1002/biot.201400071.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Gan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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6
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Hobl B, Hock B, Schneck S, Fischer R, Mack M. Bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase-based expression in Pichia pastoris. Protein Expr Purif 2013; 92:100-4. [PMID: 24056257 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2013.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Revised: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A novel Pichia pastoris expression vector (pEZT7) for the production of recombinant proteins employing prokaryotic bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) (EC 2.7.7.6) and the corresponding promoter pT7 was constructed. The gene for T7 RNAP was stably introduced into the P. pastoris chromosome 2 under control of the (endogenous) constitutive P. pastoris glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAP) promoter (pGAP). The gene product T7 RNAP was engineered to contain a nuclear localization signal, which directed recombinant T7 RNAP to the P. pastoris nucleus. To promote translation of uncapped T7 RNAP derived transcripts, the internal ribosomal entry site from hepatitis C virus (HCV-IRES) was inserted directly upstream of the multiple cloning site of pEZT7. A P. pastoris autonomous replicating sequence (PARS1) was integrated into pEZT7 enabling propagation and recovery of plasmids from P. pastoris. Rapid amplification of 5' complementary DNA ends (5' RACE) experiments employing the test plasmid pEZT7-EGFP revealed that transcripts indeed initiated at pT7. HCV-IRES mediated translation of the latter mRNAs, however, was not observed. Surprisingly, HCV-IRES and the reverse complement of PARS1 (PARS1rc) were both found to display significant promoter activity as shown by 5' RACE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Hobl
- Institut für Technische Mikrobiologie, Hochschule Mannheim, 68163 Mannheim, Germany
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7
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Liang S, Lin Y, Li C, Ye Y. Internal ribosome entry site mediates protein synthesis in yeast Pichia pastoris. Biotechnol Lett 2012; 34:957-64. [PMID: 22286182 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-012-0862-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2012] [Accepted: 01/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The imitation of translation, as mediated by internal ribosome entry sites, has not yet been reported in Pichia pastoris. An IRES element from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was demonstrated to direct the translation of a dicistronic mRNA in P. pastoris. The 5′-untranslated region of GPR1 mRNA, termed GPR, was cloned into a dual reporter construct containing an upstream Rhizomucor miehei lipase (RML) and a downstream β-galactosidase gene (lacZ) from Escherichia coli BL21. After being transformed into P. pastoris, the RML gene and lacZ were simultaneously expressed. The possibility of DNA rearrangement, spurious splicing, or cryptic promoter in the GPR sequence were eliminated, indicating that expression of a second ORF was IRES-dependent. These findings strongly suggested that the IRES-dependent translation initiation mechanism is conserved in P. pastoris and provides a useful means to express multiple genes simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuli Liang
- School of Bioscience and Bioengineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
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8
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Edwards SR, Wandless TJ. Dicistronic regulation of fluorescent proteins in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast 2010; 27:229-36. [PMID: 20017217 PMCID: PMC3210078 DOI: 10.1002/yea.1744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent proteins are convenient tools for measuring protein expression levels in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Co-expression of proteins from distinct vectors has been seen by fluorescence microscopy; however, the expression of two fluorescent proteins on the same vector would allow for monitoring of linked events. We engineered constructs to allow dicistronic expression of red and green fluorescent proteins and found that expression levels of the proteins correlated with their order in the DNA sequence, with the protein encoded by the 5'-gene more highly expressed. To increase expression levels of the second gene, we tested four regulatory elements inserted between the two genes: the IRES sequences for the YAP1 and p150 genes, and the promoters for the TEF1 gene from both S. cerevisiae and Ashbya gossypii. We generated constructs encoding the truncated ADH1 promoter driving expression of the red protein, yeast-enhanced Cherry, followed by a regulatory element driving expression of the green protein, yeast-enhanced GFP. Three of the four regulatory elements successfully enhanced expression of the second gene in our dicistronic construct. We have developed a method to express two genes simultaneously from one vector. Both genes are codon-optimized to produce high protein levels in yeast, and the protein products can be visualized by microscopy or flow cytometry. With this method of regulation, the two genes can be driven in a dicistronic manner, with one protein marking cells harbouring the vector and the other protein free to mark any event of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R. Edwards
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology 318 Campus Drive / Clark Center W350A Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Thomas J. Wandless
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology 318 Campus Drive / Clark Center W350A Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
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9
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Reineke LC, Komar AA, Caprara MG, Merrick WC. A small stem loop element directs internal initiation of the URE2 internal ribosome entry site in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:19011-25. [PMID: 18460470 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m803109200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Internal initiation of translation is the process of beginning protein synthesis independent of the m(7)G cap structure at the 5'-end of an mRNA molecule. We have previously shown that the URE2 mRNA in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) whose activity is suppressed by eukaryotic initiation factor 2A (eIF2A; YGR054W). In this study, the minimal sequence required to efficiently direct internal initiation was determined using a system that abrogates cap-dependent scanning of the 40 S ribosomal subunit in both wild-type and eIF2A knock-out cells. Subsequently, secondary structural elements within the minimal sequence were determined by probing with RNases T1 and V1 and the small molecule diethylpyrocarbonate. It was found that the URE2 minimal IRES comprises a 104 nucleotide A-rich stem loop element encompassing the internal AUG codon. Interestingly, the internal AUG seems to be involved in base-pairing interactions that would theoretically hamper its ability to interact with incoming initiator tRNA molecules. Furthermore, none of the truncations used to identify the minimal IRES element were capable of abrogating the suppressive effect of eIF2A. Our data provide the first insight into the RNA structural requirements of the yeast translational machinery for cap-independent initiation of protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas C Reineke
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, School of Medicine, Ohio 44106, USA
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10
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Röther S, Sträßer K. The RNA polymerase II CTD kinase Ctk1 functions in translation elongation. Genes Dev 2007; 21:1409-21. [PMID: 17545469 PMCID: PMC1877752 DOI: 10.1101/gad.428407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Translation is a highly complex process that is regulated by a multitude of factors. Here, we show that the conserved kinase Ctk1 functions in translation by enhancing decoding fidelity. Ctk1 associates with translating ribosomes in vivo and is needed for efficient translation. Ctk1 phosphorylates Rps2, a protein of the small ribosomal subunit, on Ser 238. Importantly, Ctk1-depleted as well as rps2-S238A mutant cells show a defect in translation elongation through an increase in the frequency of miscoding. The role of Ctk1 in translation may be conserved as the mammalian homolog of Ctk1, CDK9, also associates with polysomes. Since Ctk1 interacts with the TREX (transcription and mRNA export) complex, which couples transcription to mRNA export, Ctk1/CDK9 might bind to correctly processed mRNPs during transcription and accompany the mRNP to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where Ctk1 enhances efficient and accurate translation of the mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Röther
- Gene Center and Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (LMU), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Sträßer
- Gene Center and Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (LMU), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Corresponding author.E-MAIL ; FAX 49-89-2180-76945
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11
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Mäkeläinen KJ, Mäkinen K. Testing of internal translation initiation via dicistronic constructs in yeast is complicated by production of extraneous transcripts. Gene 2007; 391:275-84. [PMID: 17331675 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2007.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2006] [Revised: 01/19/2007] [Accepted: 01/19/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Introduction of sequences of interest into an intercistronic spacer (ICS) of dual reporter plasmids is the main experimental set-up used to identify and study internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs). We studied internal initiation of translation in yeast using the dicistronic approach. Three viral sequences and a polylinker-derived reference sequence were inserted into the ICS of a dual reporter plasmid upstream of the firefly luciferase gene, luc. LUC expression was taken as a putative indication of internal translation initiation from the studied sequences. Interestingly, all sequences mediated 3' LUC expression. However, northern blot analysis revealed that in addition to the dicistronic mRNAs, transcripts containing only the LUC-encoding sequences were produced from the plasmids. Electroporation studies with in vitro synthesized mRNAs showed that expression from the 3' cistron of the dicistronic mRNAs was below the level of detection. This suggested that the observed LUC expression from yeast transformed with the dicistronic expression plasmids did not originate from dicistronic messages. Deletion of the promoter increased 3' LUC expression. Similarly, repression of transcription prevented 5' cistron expression whereas 3' LUC expression was stimulated. These results suggested that the observed LUC expression did not result from partially degraded or spliced dicistronic RNAs but rather from transcripts synthesized from cryptic promoters. Despite high LUC activity, northern blot analysis detected few transcripts from yeast transformed with the promoterless constructs. Therefore, our data indicate that the functional assay is more revealing than RNA analysis in the case of very sensitive reporter genes generally used in IRES studies. Furthermore, our studies show that there is a clear need for detailed analysis prior to concluding the mechanism of 3' cistron expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katri J Mäkeläinen
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Microbiology, Latokartanonkaari 11, P.O. Box 27, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland.
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12
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Mokrejs M, Vopálenský V, Kolenaty O, Masek T, Feketová Z, Sekyrová P, Skaloudová B, Kríz V, Pospísek M. IRESite: the database of experimentally verified IRES structures (www.iresite.org). Nucleic Acids Res 2006; 34:D125-30. [PMID: 16381829 PMCID: PMC1347444 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkj081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IRESite is an exhaustive, manually annotated non-redundant relational database focused on the IRES elements (Internal Ribosome Entry Site) and containing information not available in the primary public databases. IRES elements were originally found in eukaryotic viruses hijacking initiation of translation of their host. Later on, they were also discovered in 5′-untranslated regions of some eukaryotic mRNA molecules. Currently, IRESite presents up to 92 biologically relevant aspects of every experiment, e.g. the nature of an IRES element, its functionality/defectivity, origin, size, sequence, structure, its relative position with respect to surrounding protein coding regions, positive/negative controls used in the experiment, the reporter genes used to monitor IRES activity, the measured reporter protein yields/activities, and references to original publications as well as cross-references to other databases, and also comments from submitters and our curators. Furthermore, the site presents the known similarities to rRNA sequences as well as RNA–protein interactions. Special care is given to the annotation of promoter-like regions. The annotated data in IRESite are bound to mostly complete, full-length mRNA, and whenever possible, accompanied by original plasmid vector sequences. New data can be submitted through the publicly available web-based interface at and are curated by a team of lab-experienced biologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Mokrejs
- Charles University, Faculty of Science, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Vinicna 5, Prague 2, 128 44, Czech Republic.
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13
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McNabb DS, Reed R, Marciniak RA. Dual luciferase assay system for rapid assessment of gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2005; 4:1539-49. [PMID: 16151247 PMCID: PMC1214206 DOI: 10.1128/ec.4.9.1539-1549.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A new reporter system has been developed for quantifying gene expression in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The system relies on two different reporter genes, Renilla and firefly luciferase, to evaluate regulated gene expression. The gene encoding Renilla luciferase is fused to a constitutive promoter (PGK1 or SPT15) and integrated into the yeast genome at the CAN1 locus as a control for normalizing the assay. The firefly luciferase gene is fused to the test promoter and integrated into the yeast genome at the ura3 or leu2 locus. The dual luciferase assay is performed by sequentially measuring the firefly and Renilla luciferase activities of the same sample, with the results expressed as the ratio of firefly to Renilla luciferase activity (Fluc/Rluc). The yeast dual luciferase reporter (DLR) was characterized and shown to be very efficient, requiring approximately 1 minute to complete each assay, and has proven to yield data that accurately and reproducibly reflect promoter activity. A series of integrating plasmids were generated that contain either the firefly or Renilla luciferase gene preceded by a multi-cloning region in two different orientations and the three reading frames to make possible the generation of translational fusions. Additionally, each set of plasmids contains either the URA3 or LEU2 marker for genetic selection in yeast. A series of S288C-based yeast strains, including a two-hybrid strain, were developed to facilitate the use of the yeast DLR assay. This assay can be readily adapted to a high-throughput platform for studies requiring numerous measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S McNabb
- Department of Biological Sciences, SCEN601, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA.
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14
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Kozak M. Regulation of translation via mRNA structure in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Gene 2005; 361:13-37. [PMID: 16213112 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2005.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 527] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2005] [Revised: 05/31/2005] [Accepted: 06/27/2005] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism of initiation of translation differs between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and the strategies used for regulation differ accordingly. Translation in prokaryotes is usually regulated by blocking access to the initiation site. This is accomplished via base-paired structures (within the mRNA itself, or between the mRNA and a small trans-acting RNA) or via mRNA-binding proteins. Classic examples of each mechanism are described. The polycistronic structure of mRNAs is an important aspect of translational control in prokaryotes, but polycistronic mRNAs are not usable (and usually not produced) in eukaryotes. Four structural elements in eukaryotic mRNAs are important for regulating translation: (i) the m7G cap; (ii) sequences flanking the AUG start codon; (iii) the position of the AUG codon relative to the 5' end of the mRNA; and (iv) secondary structure within the mRNA leader sequence. The scanning model provides a framework for understanding these effects. The scanning mechanism also explains how small open reading frames near the 5' end of the mRNA can down-regulate translation. This constraint is sometimes abrogated by changing the structure of the mRNA, sometimes with clinical consequences. Examples are described. Some mistaken ideas about regulation of translation that have found their way into textbooks are pointed out and corrected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn Kozak
- Department of Biochemistry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
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15
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Zhang Z, Dietrich FS. Identification and characterization of upstream open reading frames (uORF) in the 5' untranslated regions (UTR) of genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Curr Genet 2005; 48:77-87. [PMID: 16012843 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-005-0001-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2005] [Revised: 05/23/2005] [Accepted: 05/30/2005] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
We have taken advantage of recently sequenced hemiascomycete fungal genomes to computationally identify additional genes potentially regulated by upstream open reading frames (uORFs). Our approach is based on the observation that the structure, including the uORFs, of the post-transcriptionally uORF regulated Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes GCN4 and CPA1 is conserved in related species. Thirty-eight candidate genes for which uORFs were found in multiple species were identified and tested. We determined by 5' RACE that 15 of these 38 genes are transcribed. Most of these 15 genes have only a single uORF in their 5' UTR, and the length of these uORFs range from 3 to 24 codons. We cloned seven full-length UTR sequences into a luciferase (LUC) reporter system. Luciferase activity and mRNA level were compared between the wild-type UTR construct and a construct where the uORF start codon was mutated. The translational efficiency index (TEI) of each construct was calculated to test the possible regulatory function on translational level. We hypothesize that uORFs in the UTR of RPC11, TPK1, FOL1, WSC3, and MKK1 may have translational regulatory roles while uORFs in the 5' UTR of ECM7 and IMD4 have little effect on translation under the conditions tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Zhang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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16
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Liu Z, Dong Z, Han B, Yang Y, Liu Y, Zhang JT. Regulation of expression by promoters versus internal ribosome entry site in the 5'-untranslated sequence of the human cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27kip1. Nucleic Acids Res 2005; 33:3763-71. [PMID: 16006622 PMCID: PMC1174905 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gki680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
p27kip1 regulates cell proliferation by binding to and inhibiting the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases and its expression oscillates with cell cycle. Recently, it has been suggested from studies using the traditional dicistronic DNA assay that the expression of p27kip1 is regulated by internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation initiation, and several RNA-binding protein factors were thought to play some role in this regulation. Considering the inevitable drawbacks of the dicistronic DNA assay, which could mislead a promoter activity or alternative splicing to IRES as previously demonstrated, we decided to reanalyze the 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) sequence of p27kip1 and test whether it contains an IRES element or a promoter using more stringent methods, such as dicistronic RNA and promoterless dicistronic and monocistronic DNA assays. We found that the 5′-UTR sequence of human p27kip1 does not have any significant IRES activity. The previously observed IRES activities are likely generated from the promoter activities present in the 5′-UTR sequences of p27kip1. The findings in this study indicate that transcriptional regulation likely plays an important role in p27kip1 expression, and the mechanism of regulation of p27 expression by RNA-binding factors needs to be re-examined. The findings in this study also further enforce the importance that more stringent studies, such as promoterless dicistronic and monocistronic DNA and dicistronic RNA tests, are required to safeguard any future claims of cellular IRES.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jian-Ting Zhang
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 317 278 4503; Fax: +1 317 274 8046;
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Abstract
Cells respond to stress stimuli through coordinated changes in gene expression. The regulation of translation is often used under these circumstances because it allows immediate and selective changes in protein levels. There are many examples of translational control in response to stress. Here we examine two representative models, the regulation of eukaryotic initiation factor-2alpha by phosphorylation and internal ribosome initiation through the internal ribosome-entry site, which illustrate the importance of translational control in the cellular stress response and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Holcik
- Apoptosis Research Center, Room R3116, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada.
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18
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Wang Z, Weaver M, Magnuson NS. Cryptic promoter activity in the DNA sequence corresponding to the pim-1 5'-UTR. Nucleic Acids Res 2005; 33:2248-58. [PMID: 15843687 PMCID: PMC1083428 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gki523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The serine/threonine kinase pim-1 mRNA contains a long and G/C rich 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR). Previous work suggested that the pim-1 5'-UTR harbors an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) allowing for internal initiation of translation. However, several previously reported eukaryotic IRES elements actually contain cryptic promoter activity. To test whether an IRES or a cryptic promoter is present in the pim-1 5'-UTR, the 5'-UTR was re-examined using stringent test procedures. Our results show the presence of strong promoter activity in the DNA sequence corresponding to the pim-1 5'-UTR. Both promoterless dicistronic test and northern blot analysis show transcripts being derived from the cryptic promoter in the pim-1 5'-UTR sequence. This cryptic promoter is active in all cell types tested, including Cos-7, NIH3T3, HEK293, Jurkat and K562 cells. When a dicistronic mRNA containing the pim-1 5'-UTR was translated in vitro or in vivo, no IRES activity could be detected. However, the control IRESs from both human rhinovirus and encephalomyocarditis virus exhibited strong IRES activities. In addition, both the RNase protection assay and the 5'-RACE assay detected endogenous pim-1 transcripts with shorter 5'-UTRs. Our data strongly suggest that the IRES activity reported earlier for the pim-1 5'-UTR sequence is due to cryptic promoter activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nancy S. Magnuson
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 509 335 0966; Fax: +1 509 335 1907;
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19
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Merrick WC. Cap-dependent and cap-independent translation in eukaryotic systems. Gene 2004; 332:1-11. [PMID: 15145049 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2004.02.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2003] [Revised: 02/04/2004] [Accepted: 02/27/2004] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Unlike bacterial protein synthesis, eukaryotic protein synthesis has several mechanisms to initiate translation including cap-dependent initiation, re-initiation and internal initiation. While there is extensive biochemical characterization of the multiple steps in cap-dependent initiation, most of the information on the other two mechanisms is derived from studies on the nucleic acid sequences that influence their efficiency. However, even in the best of circumstances, both re-initiation and internal initiation are only 25% as efficient as cap-dependent initiation and more commonly, are only 1-10% as efficient. This general lack of efficiency leaves open possibilities for mis-interpretation/artifacts in vivo (cryptic promoters, alternate splicing) or in vitro (nuclease degradation). Two examples are cited from the author's laboratory as background for the development of a general set of guidelines to minimize errors and validate authenticity for internal initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Merrick
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4935, USA.
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Mauro VP, Edelman GM, Zhou W. Reevaluation of the conclusion that IRES-activity reported within the 5' leader of the TIF4631 gene is due to promoter activity. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2004; 10:895-898. [PMID: 15146071 PMCID: PMC1370579 DOI: 10.1261/rna.7160404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We previously reported that the 5' leader of the mRNA-encoding initiation factor eIF4G in Saccharomyces cerevisiae can function as a translational enhancer and as an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) when tested in cells. However, Verge and colleagues recently suggested that this sequence does not facilitate translation initiation, but inhibits translation in vitro and has promoter activity when tested in cells. We disagree with these conclusions and respond by showing that the data are most consistent with an internal initiation mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent P Mauro
- Department of Neurobiology, The Scripps Research Institute, and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
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