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. 1995 Jan;15(1):179–185. doi: 10.1128/mcb.15.1.179

Thymidylate synthase binds to c-myc RNA in human colon cancer cells and in vitro.

E Chu 1, T Takechi 1, K L Jones 1, D M Voeller 1, S M Copur 1, G F Maley 1, F Maley 1, S Segal 1, C J Allegra 1
PMCID: PMC231930  PMID: 7799924

Abstract

Using an immunoprecipitation-reverse transcription-PCR technique, we characterized a thymidylate synthase (TS) ribonucleoprotein complex in cultured human colon cancer cells that consists of TS protein and the mRNA of the nuclear oncogene c-myc. TS protein is complexed in intact cells with the C-terminal coding region of c-myc mRNA that includes nucleotide positions 1625 to 1790. RNA electrophoretic gel mobility shift assays confirm a specific interaction between TS protein and c-myc mRNA and provide additional evidence that the C-terminal coding region represents an important cis-acting regulatory element. Further evidence demonstrates that the in vitro translational efficiency of c-myc mRNA is inhibited as a result of its direct interaction with TS protein. In addition, the presence of exogenous c-myc mRNA specifically relieves the inhibitory effects of TS protein on TS mRNA translation.

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Selected References

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