Endogenous ribosomal frameshift signals operate as mRNA destabilizing elements through at least two molecular pathways in yeast

Abstract

Although first discovered in viruses, previous studies have identified operational-1 ribosomal frameshifting (-1 RF) signals in eukaryotic genomic sequences, and suggested a role in mRNA stability. Here, four yeast-1 RF signals are shown to promote significant mRNA destabilization through the nonsense mediated mRNA decay pathway (NMD), and genetic evidence is presented suggesting that they may also operate through the no-go decay pathway (NGD) as well. Yeast EST2 mRNA is highly unstable and contains up to five-1 RF signals. Ablation of the-1 RF signals or of NMD stabilizes this mRNA, and changes in-1 RF efficiency have opposing effects on the steady-state abundance of the EST2 mRNA. These results demonstrate that endogenous-1 RF signals function as mRNA destabilizing elements through at least two molecular pathways in yeast. Consistent with current evolutionary theory, phylogenetic analyses suggest that-1 RF signals are rapidly evolving cis-acting regulatory elements. Identification of high confidence-1 RF signals in ∼10 of genes in all eukaryotic genomes surveyed suggests that-1 RF is a broadly used post-transcriptional regulator of gene expression. © 2011 The Author(s).