MS2 coat proteins bound to yeast mRNAs block 5' to 3' degradation and trap mRNA decay products: implications for the localization of mRNAs by MS2-MCP system

RNA. 2015 Aug;21(8):1393-5. doi: 10.1261/rna.051797.115. Epub 2015 Jun 19.

Abstract

Arrays of MS2 binding sites are placed into mRNAs and are commonly used to visualize the localization of mRNAs in vivo by the expression of an MS2-GFP fusion protein. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we observed that arrays of MS2 binding sites inhibit 5' to 3' degradation of the mRNA in yeast cells and lead to the accumulation of a 3' mRNA fragment containing the MS2 binding sites. This accumulation can be dependent on the binding of the MS2 stem loops (MS2-SL) by MS2 coat proteins (MCPs). Since such decay fragments can still bind MCP-GFP, the localization of such mRNA fragments can complicate the interpretation of the localization of full-length mRNA in vivo.

Keywords: MS2-MCP system; mRNA decay; mRNA localization.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Capsid Proteins / chemistry*
  • Capsid Proteins / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Array Analysis
  • RNA Stability
  • RNA, Fungal / chemistry
  • RNA, Fungal / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / chemistry
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • RNA, Fungal
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins