Discovery of a mRNA mitochondrial localization element in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by nonhomologous random recombination and in vivo selection.

Nucleic Acids Res
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Keywords
Abstract

In budding yeast, over 100 nuclear-encoded mRNAs are localized to the mitochondria. The determinants of mRNA localization to the mitochondria are not well understood, and protein factors involved in this process have not yet been identified. To reveal the sequence determinants for mitochondrial localization in a comprehensive and unbiased manner, we generated highly diversified libraries of 3' UTR regions from a known mitochondrially localized mRNA by nonhomologous random recombination (NRR) and subjected the resulting sequences to an in vivo selection that links cell survival to mitochondrial mRNA localization. When applied to the yeast ATP2 mRNA, this approach rapidly identified a 50-nt consensus motif, designated Min2, as well as two Min2-homologous regions naturally present downstream of the ATP2 stop codon, which are sufficient when appended to the 3' end of various reporter mRNAs to induce mitochondrial localization. Site-directed mutagenesis of Min2 revealed primary and secondary structure elements that contribute to localization activity. In addition, the Min2 motif may facilitate the identification of proteins involved in this mode of establishing cellular asymmetry.

Year of Publication
2007
Journal
Nucleic Acids Res
Volume
35
Issue
20
Pages
6750-61
Date Published
2007
ISSN
1362-4962
DOI
10.1093/nar/gkm777
PubMed ID
17916575
PubMed Central ID
PMC2175308
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