Skip to main content
PMC home page
Molecular and Cellular Biology logoLink to Molecular and Cellular Biology
. 1988 Apr;8(4):1591–1601. doi: 10.1128/mcb.8.4.1591

mRNA structures influencing translation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

S B Baim 1, F Sherman 1
PMCID: PMC363319  PMID: 2837649

Abstract

The mRNA sequence and structures that modify and are required for translation of iso-1-cytochrome c in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated with sets of CYC1 alleles having alterations in the 5' leader region. Measurements of levels of CYC1 mRNA and iso-1-cytochrome c in strains having single copies of altered alleles with nested deletions led to the conclusion that there is no specific sequence adjacent to the AUG initiator codon required for efficient translation. However, the nucleotides preceding the AUG initiator codon at positions -1 and -3 slightly modified the efficiency of translation to an order of preference similar to that found in higher cells. In contrast to large effects observed in higher eucaryotes, the magnitude of this AUG context effect in S. cerevisiae was only two- to threefold. Furthermore, introduction of hairpin structures in the vicinity of the AUG initiator codon inhibited translation, with the degree of inhibition related to the stability and proximity of the hairpin. These results with S. cerevisiae and published findings on other organisms suggest that translation in S. cerevisiae is more sensitive to secondary structures than is translation in higher eucaryotes.

Full text

PDF
1591

Images in this article

1595Image
on p.1595
1596Image
on p.1596

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Baim S. B., Pietras D. F., Eustice D. C., Sherman F. A mutation allowing an mRNA secondary structure diminishes translation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae iso-1-cytochrome c. Mol Cell Biol. 1985 Aug;5(8):1839–1846. doi: 10.1128/mcb.5.8.1839. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Beggs J. D. Transformation of yeast by a replicating hybrid plasmid. Nature. 1978 Sep 14;275(5676):104–109. doi: 10.1038/275104a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Botstein D., Falco S. C., Stewart S. E., Brennan M., Scherer S., Stinchcomb D. T., Struhl K., Davis R. W. Sterile host yeasts (SHY): a eukaryotic system of biological containment for recombinant DNA experiments. Gene. 1979 Dec;8(1):17–24. doi: 10.1016/0378-1119(79)90004-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Dobson M. J., Tuite M. F., Roberts N. A., Kingsman A. J., Kingsman S. M., Perkins R. E., Conroy S. C., Fothergill L. A. Conservation of high efficiency promoter sequences in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nucleic Acids Res. 1982 Apr 24;10(8):2625–2637. doi: 10.1093/nar/10.8.2625. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Downie J. A., Stewart J. W., Brockman N., Schweingruber A. M., Sherman F. Structural gene for yeast iso-2-cytochrome c. J Mol Biol. 1977 Jun 25;113(2):369–384. doi: 10.1016/0022-2836(77)90147-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Ernst J. F., Stewart J. W., Sherman F. The cyc1-11 mutation in yeast reverts by recombination with a nonallelic gene: composite genes determining the iso-cytochromes c. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1981 Oct;78(10):6334–6338. doi: 10.1073/pnas.78.10.6334. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Faye G., Leung D. W., Tatchell K., Hall B. D., Smith M. Deletion mapping of sequences essential for in vivo transcription of the iso-1-cytochrome c gene. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1981 Apr;78(4):2258–2262. doi: 10.1073/pnas.78.4.2258. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Fried H. M., Warner J. R. Molecular cloning and analysis of yeast gene for cycloheximide resistance and ribosomal protein L29. Nucleic Acids Res. 1982 May 25;10(10):3133–3148. doi: 10.1093/nar/10.10.3133. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Gehrke L., Auron P. E., Quigley G. J., Rich A., Sonenberg N. 5'-Conformation of capped alfalfa mosaic virus ribonucleic acid 4 may reflect its independence of the cap structure or of cap-binding protein for efficient translation. Biochemistry. 1983 Oct 25;22(22):5157–5164. doi: 10.1021/bi00291a015. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Godefroy-Colburn T., Thivent C., Pinck L. Translational discrimination between the four RNAs of alfalfa mosaic virus. A quantitative evaluation. Eur J Biochem. 1985 Mar 15;147(3):541–548. doi: 10.1111/j.0014-2956.1985.00541.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Gold L., Pribnow D., Schneider T., Shinedling S., Singer B. S., Stormo G. Translational initiation in prokaryotes. Annu Rev Microbiol. 1981;35:365–403. doi: 10.1146/annurev.mi.35.100181.002053. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Guarente L., Ptashne M. Fusion of Escherichia coli lacZ to the cytochrome c gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1981 Apr;78(4):2199–2203. doi: 10.1073/pnas.78.4.2199. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Hahn S., Hoar E. T., Guarente L. Each of three "TATA elements" specifies a subset of the transcription initiation sites at the CYC-1 promoter of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1985 Dec;82(24):8562–8566. doi: 10.1073/pnas.82.24.8562. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Hamilton R., Watanabe C. K., de Boer H. A. Compilation and comparison of the sequence context around the AUG startcodons in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mRNAs. Nucleic Acids Res. 1987 Apr 24;15(8):3581–3593. doi: 10.1093/nar/15.8.3581. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Holland J. P., Holland M. J. Structural comparison of two nontandemly repeated yeast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes. J Biol Chem. 1980 Mar 25;255(6):2596–2605. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Holland J. P., Holland M. J. The primary structure of a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Biol Chem. 1979 Oct 10;254(19):9839–9845. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Hsiao C. L., Carbon J. Characterization of a yeast replication origin (ars2) and construction of stable minichromosomes containing cloned yeast centromere DNA (CEN3). Gene. 1981 Nov;15(2-3):157–166. doi: 10.1016/0378-1119(81)90125-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Johansen H., Schümperli D., Rosenberg M. Affecting gene expression by altering the length and sequence of the 5' leader. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1984 Dec;81(24):7698–7702. doi: 10.1073/pnas.81.24.7698. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Kozak M. Compilation and analysis of sequences upstream from the translational start site in eukaryotic mRNAs. Nucleic Acids Res. 1984 Jan 25;12(2):857–872. doi: 10.1093/nar/12.2.857. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Kozak M. Influences of mRNA secondary structure on initiation by eukaryotic ribosomes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1986 May;83(9):2850–2854. doi: 10.1073/pnas.83.9.2850. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Kozak M. Point mutations close to the AUG initiator codon affect the efficiency of translation of rat preproinsulin in vivo. Nature. 1984 Mar 15;308(5956):241–246. doi: 10.1038/308241a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Kozak M. Point mutations define a sequence flanking the AUG initiator codon that modulates translation by eukaryotic ribosomes. Cell. 1986 Jan 31;44(2):283–292. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(86)90762-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Kozak M. Possible role of flanking nucleotides in recognition of the AUG initiator codon by eukaryotic ribosomes. Nucleic Acids Res. 1981 Oct 24;9(20):5233–5252. doi: 10.1093/nar/9.20.5233. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Liebhaber S. A., Cash F. E., Shakin S. H. Translationally associated helix-destabilizing activity in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. J Biol Chem. 1984 Dec 25;259(24):15597–15602. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Lütcke H. A., Chow K. C., Mickel F. S., Moss K. A., Kern H. F., Scheele G. A. Selection of AUG initiation codons differs in plants and animals. EMBO J. 1987 Jan;6(1):43–48. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1987.tb04716.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. McNeil J. B., Smith M. Saccharomyces cerevisiae CYC1 mRNA 5'-end positioning: analysis by in vitro mutagenesis, using synthetic duplexes with random mismatch base pairs. Mol Cell Biol. 1985 Dec;5(12):3545–3551. doi: 10.1128/mcb.5.12.3545. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. McNeil J. B., Smith M. Transcription initiation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae iso-1-cytochrome c gene. Multiple, independent T-A-T-A sequences. J Mol Biol. 1986 Feb 5;187(3):363–378. doi: 10.1016/0022-2836(86)90439-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Messing J. New M13 vectors for cloning. Methods Enzymol. 1983;101:20–78. doi: 10.1016/0076-6879(83)01005-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Ng R., Abelson J. Isolation and sequence of the gene for actin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1980 Jul;77(7):3912–3916. doi: 10.1073/pnas.77.7.3912. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Pelletier J., Sonenberg N. Insertion mutagenesis to increase secondary structure within the 5' noncoding region of a eukaryotic mRNA reduces translational efficiency. Cell. 1985 Mar;40(3):515–526. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(85)90200-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. REILLY C., SHERMAN R. GLUCOSE REPRESSION OF CYTOCHROME A-SYNTHESIS IN CYTOCHROME-DEFICIENT MUTANTS OF YEAST. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1965 Apr 19;95:640–651. doi: 10.1016/0005-2787(65)90518-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Rigby P. W., Dieckmann M., Rhodes C., Berg P. Labeling deoxyribonucleic acid to high specific activity in vitro by nick translation with DNA polymerase I. J Mol Biol. 1977 Jun 15;113(1):237–251. doi: 10.1016/0022-2836(77)90052-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Roberts T. M., Lauer G. D. Maximizing gene expression on a plasmid using recombination in vitro. Methods Enzymol. 1979;68:473–482. doi: 10.1016/0076-6879(79)68036-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. SHERMAN F., SLONIMSKI P. P. RESPIRATION-DEFICIENT MUTANTS OF YEAST. II. BIOCHEMISTRY. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1964 Jul 15;90:1–15. doi: 10.1016/0304-4165(64)90113-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Sanger F., Nicklen S., Coulson A. R. DNA sequencing with chain-terminating inhibitors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1977 Dec;74(12):5463–5467. doi: 10.1073/pnas.74.12.5463. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Shakin S. H., Liebhaber S. A. Destabilization of messenger RNA/complementary DNA duplexes by the elongating 80 S ribosome. J Biol Chem. 1986 Dec 5;261(34):16018–16025. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Sherman F., McKnight G., Stewart J. W. AUG is the only initiation codon in eukaryotes. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1980 Sep 19;609(2):343–346. doi: 10.1016/0005-2787(80)90246-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Sherman F., Stewart J. W., Jackson M., Gilmore R. A., Parker J. H. Mutants of yeast defective in iso-1-cytochrome c. Genetics. 1974 Jun;77(2):255–284. doi: 10.1093/genetics/77.2.255. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Sherman F., Stewart J. W., Parker J. H., Inhaber E., Shipman N. A., Putterman G. J., Gardisky R. L., Margoliash E. The mutational alteration of the primary structure of yeast iso-1-cytochrome c. J Biol Chem. 1968 Oct 25;243(20):5446–5456. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Sherman F., Stewart J. W., Schweingruber A. M. Mutants of yeast initiating translation of iso-1-cytochrome c within a region spanning 37 nucleotides. Cell. 1980 May;20(1):215–222. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(80)90249-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Shine J., Dalgarno L. The 3'-terminal sequence of Escherichia coli 16S ribosomal RNA: complementarity to nonsense triplets and ribosome binding sites. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1974 Apr;71(4):1342–1346. doi: 10.1073/pnas.71.4.1342. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Southern E. M. Detection of specific sequences among DNA fragments separated by gel electrophoresis. J Mol Biol. 1975 Nov 5;98(3):503–517. doi: 10.1016/s0022-2836(75)80083-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Spena A., Krause E., Dobberstein B. Translation efficiency of zein mRNA is reduced by hybrid formation between the 5'- and 3'-untranslated region. EMBO J. 1985 Sep;4(9):2153–2158. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1985.tb03909.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Spindler K. R., Berk A. J. Translation efficiency of adenovirus early region 1A mRNAs deleted in the 5' untranslated region. J Virol. 1984 Sep;51(3):884–888. doi: 10.1128/jvi.51.3.884-888.1984. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Stewart J. W., Sherman F., Shipman N. A., Jackson M. Identification and mutational relocation of the AUG codon initiating translation of iso-1-cytochrome c in yeast. J Biol Chem. 1971 Dec 25;246(24):7429–7445. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Stiles J. I., Szostak J. W., Young A. T., Wu R., Consaul S., Sherman F. DNA sequence of a mutation in the leader region of the yeast iso-1-cytochrome c mRNA. Cell. 1981 Jul;25(1):277–284. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(81)90253-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Stinchcomb D. T., Struhl K., Davis R. W. Isolation and characterisation of a yeast chromosomal replicator. Nature. 1979 Nov 1;282(5734):39–43. doi: 10.1038/282039a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Struhl K. Direct selection for gene replacement events in yeast. Gene. 1983 Dec;26(2-3):231–241. doi: 10.1016/0378-1119(83)90193-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Struhl K., Stinchcomb D. T., Scherer S., Davis R. W. High-frequency transformation of yeast: autonomous replication of hybrid DNA molecules. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1979 Mar;76(3):1035–1039. doi: 10.1073/pnas.76.3.1035. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Szostak J. W., Stiles J. I., Bahl C. P., Wu R. Specific binding of a synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide to yeast cytochrome c mRNA. Nature. 1977 Jan 6;265(5589):61–63. doi: 10.1038/265061a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Tinoco I., Jr, Borer P. N., Dengler B., Levin M. D., Uhlenbeck O. C., Crothers D. M., Bralla J. Improved estimation of secondary structure in ribonucleic acids. Nat New Biol. 1973 Nov 14;246(150):40–41. doi: 10.1038/newbio246040a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Tschumper G., Carbon J. Sequence of a yeast DNA fragment containing a chromosomal replicator and the TRP1 gene. Gene. 1980 Jul;10(2):157–166. doi: 10.1016/0378-1119(80)90133-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Zalkin H., Yanofsky C. Yeast gene TRP5: structure, function, regulation. J Biol Chem. 1982 Feb 10;257(3):1491–1500. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Zaret K. S., Sherman F. Mutationally altered 3' ends of yeast CYC1 mRNA affect transcript stability and translational efficiency. J Mol Biol. 1984 Jul 25;177(1):107–135. doi: 10.1016/0022-2836(84)90060-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  55. Zuker M., Stiegler P. Optimal computer folding of large RNA sequences using thermodynamics and auxiliary information. Nucleic Acids Res. 1981 Jan 10;9(1):133–148. doi: 10.1093/nar/9.1.133. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Molecular and Cellular Biology are provided here courtesy of Taylor & Francis

RESOURCES