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. 1991 Oct;11(10):5312–5320. doi: 10.1128/mcb.11.10.5312

An RNA-binding protein specifically interacts with a functionally important domain of the downstream element of the simian virus 40 late polyadenylation signal.

Z W Qian 1, J Wilusz 1
PMCID: PMC361594  PMID: 1656229

Abstract

We have identified an RNA-binding protein which interacts with the downstream element of the simian virus 40 late polyadenylation signal in a sequence-specific manner. A partially purified 50-kDa protein, which we have named DSEF-1, retains RNA-binding specificity as assayed by band shift and UV cross-linking analyses. RNA footprinting assays, using end-labeled RNA ladder fragments in conjunction with native gel electrophoresis, have identified the DSEF-1 binding site as 5'-GGGGGAGGUGUGGG-3'. This 14-base sequence serves as an efficient DSEF-1 binding site when placed within a GEM4 polylinker-derived RNA. Finally, the DSEF-1 binding site restored efficient in vitro 3' end processing to derivatives of the simian virus 40 late polyadenylation signal in which it substituted for the entire downstream region. DSEF-1, therefore, may be a sequence-specific binding factor which regulates the efficiency of polyadenylation site usage.

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Selected References

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