A noncanonical poly(A) signal, UAUAAA, and flanking elements in Epstein-Barr virus DNA polymerase mRNA function in cleavage and polyadenylation assays

Virology. 1997 Jul 21;234(1):147-59. doi: 10.1006/viro.1997.8647.

Abstract

Two forms of the Epstein-Barr virus DNA polymerase (pol) mRNA (3.7 and 5.1 kb) have been detected, neither of which contains a canonical poly(A) signal. The 5.1-kb pol mRNA, which contains a rare poly(A) signal, UAUAAA, studied only in transcripts of Hepadnaviridae and a plant pararetrovirus, was analyzed in cleavage and polyadenylation assays. Incubation of the pol transcript in cell extracts produced relatively low efficiency of cleavage (12 to 14%), which was improved by conversion of the poly(A) signal to AAUAAA. Deletion of the UAUAAA signal abolished cleavage and polyadenylation. An auxiliary element, UUUGUA, 3-8 nt upstream of the poly(A) signal and two downstream core elements, a GU-rich sequence 36-46 nt, and an AUUUGUGU sequence 47-53 nt downstream of the signal (8-19 nt and 20-28 nt downstream of cleavage site) facilitated processing of pol mRNA. Replacement of sequences near the cleavage/poly(A) site affected cleavage accuracy. Binding of the 64-kDa cleavage stimulatory factor to the U-rich as well as the GU-rich elements correlated with cleavage efficiency. Thus the UAUAAA hexanucleotide plus the other cis-acting elements are clearly functional in the native pol mRNA, but are relatively inefficient. Implications of the use of an anomalous poly(A) signal and its elements are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line
  • DNA-Binding Proteins*
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics*
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / enzymology*
  • Humans
  • Poly A / metabolism*
  • Precipitin Tests
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Viral Proteins*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Proteins
  • Poly A
  • BALF5 protein, Epstein-barr virus
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase