Open AccessTranslational control mediated by eucaryotic initiation factor-2 is restricted to specific mRNAs in transfected cells.
Author(s) -
Randal J. Kaufman,
Patricia E. Murtha
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
molecular and cellular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.14
H-Index - 327
eISSN - 1067-8824
pISSN - 0270-7306
DOI - 10.1128/mcb.7.4.1568
Subject(s) - biology , transfection , rna , messenger rna , microbiology and biotechnology , translational efficiency , protein biosynthesis , translational regulation , translation (biology) , cell culture , gene , genetics
The translational efficiency of mRNA molecules transcribed from plasmid DNA transfected into COS-1 monkey cells can be increased 10- to 20-fold by the coexpression of the adenovirus virus-associated RNAs I and II. Experiments described here demonstrate a similar increase in translational efficiency by the addition of 2-aminopurine, an inhibitor of double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase, to the culture medium. Both virus-associated RNA and 2-aminopurine presumably exert their effect by alteration of the functional level of eucaryotic initiation factor-2. The translational stimulation mediated by both means is shown to be restricted to the plasmid-derived mRNAs because there is no qualitative or quantitative alteration in host protein synthesis. The results are consistent with models invoking a localized activation of double-stranded RNA-activated kinase leading to a translational block.