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E. coli ribosomal protein L10 inhibits translation of L10 and L7/L12 mRNAs by acting at a single site

Abstract

The genes coding for ribosomal proteins L10 and L7/L12 and for the subunits for RNA polymerase β and β′ are clustered within the same transcription unit (β operon) located at the 88-min region of the Escherichia coli genome1,2. The regulation of these genes is of particular interest because of the ratio of synthesis of the proteins (copy ratio L10:L7/L12:β:β′ = 1 :4: 0.2: 0.2) and because synthesis of the ribosomal proteins and of β and β′ is apparently subject to different regulatory signals (see ref. 3 for a review). It was previously shown that certain ribosomal proteins, including L10, can inhibit the translation of their own mRNA and of mRNA of other genes from the same transcription unit4–11. This regulation is physiologically significant in coordinating the synthesis of ribosomal proteins and ribosomes. Although L10 was previously shown to inhibit its own translation in vitro5, the mechanisms for regulation of L7/L12 synthesis have remained unknown. We report here the results of in vivo and in vitro investigations demonstrating that L10 regulates L7/L12 synthesis, as well as its own synthesis, by acting near the L10 translational start site.

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Yates, J., Dean, D., Strycharz, W. et al. E. coli ribosomal protein L10 inhibits translation of L10 and L7/L12 mRNAs by acting at a single site. Nature 294, 190–192 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/294190a0

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