A protein complex mediating mRNA degradation in Escherichia coli |
| |
| Authors: | Béatrice Py Helen Causton Elisabeth A Mudd Christopher F Higgins |
| |
| Institution: | Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Nuffield Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK. |
| |
| Abstract: | mRNA degradation in Escherichia coli is mediated by a combination of exo- and endoribolucleases. We present evidence for a multiprotein complex which includes at least two enzymes that play important roles in mRNA degradation: the exoribonuclease poly-nucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) and the endorlbo-nuclease RNase E. An activity which impedes the processive activity of PNPase at stem-loop structures also appears to be associated with the complex. This complex is estimated to have a molecular mass of about 500 kDa and includes several additional poly-peptides whose functions are unknown. The identification of a complex which includes several activities associated with mRNA degradation has implications for the mechanisms and co-ordinated control of mRNA degradation. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
