Different vectors were constructed that expressed the human interferon-beta (IFN-beta) mRNA constitutively and contained various deletions in the 3' untranslated region (UTR). AU-rich sequences in the 3' UTR were specifically deleted in two vectors. Cell lines secreting human IFN-beta were established by transfecting murine L929 cells with the vectors. These cells showed similar levels of IFN-beta mRNA and secreted comparable amounts of IFN-beta, indicating that the deletion of AU-rich sequences had no effect on the stability and little effect on the efficiency of translation of this mRNA. The synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone was previously shown to increase the turnover of IFN-beta mRNA. This activity of dexamethasone was clearly observed only in cells expressing IFN-beta mRNA with AU-rich sequences in the 3' UTR. The increased turnover of this mRNA occurred in the presence of cycloheximide; therefore, it did not require synthesis of new proteins. These findings suggest that glucocorticoids may activate a ribonuclease that degrades mRNAs containing AU-rich sequences in the 3' UTR.
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February 01 1991
The AU-rich sequences in the 3' untranslated region mediate the increased turnover of interferon mRNA induced by glucocorticoids.
K Peppel,
K Peppel
Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Albany 12222.
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J M Vinci,
J M Vinci
Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Albany 12222.
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C Baglioni
C Baglioni
Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Albany 12222.
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K Peppel
Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Albany 12222.
J M Vinci
Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Albany 12222.
C Baglioni
Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Albany 12222.
Online ISSN: 1540-9538
Print ISSN: 0022-1007
J Exp Med (1991) 173 (2): 349–355.
Citation
K Peppel, J M Vinci, C Baglioni; The AU-rich sequences in the 3' untranslated region mediate the increased turnover of interferon mRNA induced by glucocorticoids.. J Exp Med 1 February 1991; 173 (2): 349–355. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.173.2.349
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