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5′-Terminal 7-methylguanosine in eukaryotic mRNA is required for translation

Abstract

Unmethylated reovirus and VSV mRNAs are specifically methylated to form 5′-terminal structures of the type, m7G (5′)ppp (5′) N by protein synthesizing extracts prepared from wheat germ and mouse L cells. Reticulocyte mRNA also contains 5′-terminal m7G. mRNAs having 5′-terminal m7G stimulate protein synthesis in vitro. Removal of m7G by β-elimination abolishes translation of the mRNAs.

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Muthukrishnan, S., Both, G., Furuichi, Y. et al. 5′-Terminal 7-methylguanosine in eukaryotic mRNA is required for translation. Nature 255, 33–37 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/255033a0

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