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Expression of the Escherichia coli pcnB gene is translationally limited using an inefficient start codon: a second chromosomal example of translation initiated at AUU by Nigel Binns; Millicent Masters is a Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology article available to read on EtoBox.

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## Summary Expression of the gene __pcnB__, encoding the dispensable __Escherichia coli__ poly(A) polymerase (PAPI), which is toxic when overproduced, was investigated. Its promoter was identified and found to be moderately strong when used to express a β‐galactosidase reporter. Expression levels were not affected by increasing or decreasing PcnB concentration. Translation of __pcnB__ was found to initiate from the non‐canonical initiation codon AUU. The only other __coli__ gene reported to use AUU as initiation codon is __infC__, which encodes the initiation factor IF‐3. AUU, in common with other rarely used initiation codons, is discriminated against by IF‐3, resulting in the aborting of most AUU‐promoted initiation events. This enables AUU to form part of an autoregulatory circuit controlling IF‐3 production. We show that InfC discrimination reduces PcnB production fivefold. This is the first instance of this mechanism being used to limit severely the production of a potentially toxic product.

Who reads Expression of the Escherichia coli pcnB gene is translationally limited using an inefficient start codon: a second chromosomal example of translation initiated at AUU?

Author

Nigel Binns; Millicent Masters

Publisher

John Wiley and Sons; Wiley (Blackwell Publishing); Blackwell Publishing Inc.; Wiley (ISSN 0950-382X)

Published

2002

Language

EN

Field

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)