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Molecular and Cellular Biology, November 2000, p. 8134-8142, Vol. 20, No. 21
0270-7306/00/$04.00+0
Copyright © 2000, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

cis- and trans-Acting Determinants for Translation of psbD mRNA in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Friedrich Ossenbühl and Jörg Nickelsen*

Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany

Received 2 May 2000/Returned for modification 10 June 2000/Accepted 17 August 2000

Chloroplast translation is mediated by nucleus-encoded factors that interact with distinct cis-acting RNA elements. A U-rich sequence within the 5' untranslated region of the psbD mRNA has previously been shown to be required for its translation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. By using UV cross-linking assays, we have identified a 40-kDa RNA binding protein, which binds to the wild-type psbD leader, but is unable to recognize a nonfunctional leader mutant lacking the U-rich motif. RNA binding is restored in a chloroplast cis-acting suppressor. The functions of several site-directed psbD leader mutants were analyzed with transgenic C. reinhardtii chloroplasts and the in vitro RNA binding assay. A clear correlation between photosynthetic activity and the capability to bind RNA by the 40-kDa protein was observed. Furthermore, the data obtained suggest that the poly(U) region serves as a molecular spacer between two previously characterized cis-acting elements, which are involved in RNA stabilization and translation. RNA-protein complex formation depends on the nuclear Nac2 gene product that is part of a protein complex required for the stabilization of the psbD mRNA. The sedimentation properties of the 40-kDa RNA binding protein suggest that it interacts directly with this Nac2 complex and, as a result, links processes of chloroplast RNA metabolism and translation.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany. Phone: 49 234 32 25539. Fax: 49 234 32 14184. E-mail: Joerg.Nickelsen{at}ruhr-uni-bochum.de.

Molecular and Cellular Biology, November 2000, p. 8134-8142, Vol. 20, No. 21
0270-7306/00/$04.00+0
Copyright © 2000, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


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