Metabolic stability of messenger ribonucleoprotein in HeLa cells

The function of proteins that interact with mRNA

Specific proteins are associated with mRNA in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. The complement of associated proteins depends upon whether the mRNA is an integral component of the polysomal complex being translated, or, alternatively, whether it is part of the non-translated free mRNP fraction. By subjecting cells to ultraviolet irradiation in vivo to cross-link proteins to mRNA, mRNP proteins have been shown to be associated with specific regions of the mRNA molecule. Examination of mRNP complexes containing a unique mRNA has suggested that not all mRNA contain the same family of associated RNA binding proteins. The functions of mRNA associated proteins may include a role in providing stability for mRNA, and/or in modulating translation. With the recent demonstrations that both free and polysomal mRNPs are associated with the cytoskeletal framework, specific mRNP proteins may play a role in determining the subcellular localization of specific mRNPs.

Interaction of cytoplasmic messenger-RNA with proteins: their possible function in the regulation of translation

In the present report we summarize recent results concerning our studies on messenger ribonucleoprotein particles and RNA-binding proteins from the cytoplasm of mouse erythroblasts and mouse Krebs II ascites cells.

Possible involvement of messenger RNA-associated proteins in protein synthesis

Two distinct forms of globin messenger RNA were isolated from mouse spleen cells infected with Friend erythroleukemia virus: polyribosomal messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (15S mRNP), and their corresponding protein-free mRNAs obtained by chemical deproteinization. The translation efficiencies of both messenger forms were assayed in a Krebs II ascites cell-free system. Selective removal of RNA-binding proteins from the ascites cell lysate did not affect globin synthesis when the mRNA was supplied as 15S mRNP; deproteinized mRNA however was not translated. Only in the presence of two fractions of RNA-binding proteins was the protein-free mRNA translated. Some of the RNA-binding proteins have the same molecular weights and isoelectric points as the principal proteins of 15S mRNP.

Identification in Xenopus laevis of a class of oocyte-specific proteins bound to messenger RNA

Proteins associated with poly(A)-rich RNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes have been identified in immature ovary homogenates using sucrose gradient centrifugation, oligo(dT)-cellulose fractionation and analysis by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two-dimensional acid/urea/sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis. At least eight proteins are associated with ribonucleoprotein complexes and have the following properties. 1. Four major proteins, mRNP1-4, cosediment with poly(A)-rich RNA at 40--200 S, bind to oligo(dT)-cellulose and are oocyte-specific. These are very basic proteins with molecular weights of about 50 X 10(3), 52 X 10(3), 56 X 10(3), 59 X 10(3). 2. Two further proteins, mRNP5,6, molecular weights 75 X 10(3) and about 100 X 10(3), also co-isolate with poly(A)-rich RNA mRNP7 (Mr 16 X 10(3)) cosediments with poly(A)-rich RNA but fails to bind to oligo(dT)-cellulose. mRNP8 (Mr 22 X 10(3)) binds to oligo(dT)-cellulose but sediments more slowly than the bulk of poly(A)-rich ribunucleoprotein, at 30--70 S. 3. mRNP1-4 are present in immature oocytes but only mRNP3-4 are found in full-grown oocytes, while none of them could be detected in Xenopus liver or reticulocytes. These proteins are largely cytoplasmic, associated with free mRNP particles, and differ in molecular weight from proteins isolated from polysomal mRNPs in somatic tissues. 4. mRNP1-4 are very abundant in immature oocytes; sedimentation properties are consistent with a protein:RNA ratio of 4:1 (w/w). The sedimentation constant of mRNP particles is resistant to concentrations of ribonuclease A which degrade ribosomes, although mRNA isolated from these ribonuclease-treated particles appears to be partially degraded. The role of ribonucleoprotein complexes in the stability and storage of mRNA during oogenesis is discussed.