RNA-binding protein-mediated translational repression of transgene expression in plants

• Published in: Plant molecular biology Vol. 52; no. 2; pp. 357 - 369
• Main Authors: Cerny, R Eric, Qi, Youlin, Aydt, Carrie M, Huang, Shihshieh, Listello, Jennifer J, Fabbri, Brandon J, Conner, Timothy W, Crossland, Lyle, Huang, Jintai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Springer Nature B.V 01.05.2003
• Subjects: 3-Phosphoshikimate 1-Carboxyvinyltransferase; Alkyl and Aryl Transferases - genetics; Alkyl and Aryl Transferases - metabolism; Arabidopsis - genetics; Base Sequence; Capsid Proteins - genetics; Capsid Proteins - metabolism; Dimerization; Gene Expression Regulation; Glucuronidase - genetics; Glucuronidase - metabolism; Operator Regions, Genetic - genetics; Plants, Genetically Modified - genetics; Protein Biosynthesis - genetics; Protoplasts - cytology; Protoplasts - metabolism; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - chemistry; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - genetics; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - metabolism; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; RNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; RNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Transgenes - genetics; Yeasts; Zea mays - cytology; Zea mays - genetics
• ISSN: 0167-4412; 1573-5028
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1023953130574

We have demonstrated that RNA-binding proteins from coliphages and yeast can function as translational repressors in plants. RNA sequences called translational operators were inserted at a cap-proximal position in the 5'-UTR of mRNAs of two reporter genes, gus or aroA:CP4. Translation of the reporter mRNAs was efficiently repressed when the RNA binding protein that specifically binds to its cognate operator was co-expressed. The efficiency of translational repression by RNA-binding protein positively correlated with the amount of binding protein in transformed plant cells. Detailed studies on coliphage MS2 coat protein-mediated translational repression also suggested that the efficiency of translational repression was position-dependent. A translational operator situated at the cap-proximal position was more efficient in conferring repression than one that was placed cap-distal. Translational repression can be an efficient means for regulation of transgene expression, thereby broadening current approaches for transgene regulation in plants.