Selective elimination of messenger RNA prevents an incidence of untimely meiosis

Nature. 2006 Jul 6;442(7098):45-50. doi: 10.1038/nature04881.

Abstract

Much remains unknown about the molecular regulation of meiosis. Here we show that meiosis-specific transcripts are selectively removed if expressed during vegetative growth in fission yeast. These messenger RNAs contain a cis-acting region--which we call the DSR--that confers this removal via binding to a YTH-family protein Mmi1. Loss of Mmi1 function severely impairs cell growth owing to the untimely expression of meiotic transcripts. Microarray analysis reveals that at least a dozen such meiosis-specific transcripts are eliminated by the DSR-Mmi1 system. Mmi1 remains in the form of multiple nuclear foci during vegetative growth. At meiotic prophase these foci precipitate to a single focus, which coincides with the dot formed by the master meiosis-regulator Mei2. A meiotic arrest due to the loss of the Mei2 dot is released by a reduction in Mmi1 activity. We propose that Mei2 turns off the DSR-Mmi1 system by sequestering Mmi1 to the dot and thereby secures stable expression of meiosis-specific transcripts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Meiosis / genetics*
  • Mitosis / genetics
  • Prophase
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Schizosaccharomyces / cytology*
  • Schizosaccharomyces / genetics*
  • Schizosaccharomyces / growth & development
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / genetics
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors / genetics
  • mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Mmi1 protein, S pombe
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins
  • mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors
  • mei2 protein, S pombe
  • mei4 protein, S pombe

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE3314