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Molecular and Cellular Biology, February 2003, p. 899-907, Vol. 23, No. 3
0270-7306/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/MCB.23.3.899-907.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

In Vivo Association of the Stability Control Protein {alpha}CP with Actively Translating mRNAs

Xinjun Ji, Jian Kong, and Stephen A. Liebhaber*

Departments of Genetics and Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Received 24 September 2002/ Returned for modification 18 October 2002/ Accepted 1 November 2002

Posttranscriptional controls play a major role in eucaryotic gene expression. These controls are mediated by sequence-specific interactions of cis-acting determinants in target mRNAs with one or more protein factors. The positioning of a subset of these mRNA-protein (RNP) complexes within the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) may allow them to remain associated with the mRNA during active translation. Robust expression of human {alpha}-globin mRNA during erythroid differentiation has been linked to formation of a binary complex between a KH-domain protein, {alpha}CP, and a 3' UTR C-rich motif. Detection of this "{alpha}-complex" has been limited to in vitro studies, and the functional state of the {alpha}-globin mRNA targeted by {alpha}CP has not been defined. In the present study we demonstrate that a significant fraction of {alpha}CP is associated with polysomal mRNA. Targeted analysis of the polysomal RNP complexes revealed that {alpha}CP is specifically bound to actively translating {alpha}-globin mRNA. The bound {alpha}CP is restricted to the poly(C)-rich 3' UTR motif and is dislodged when ribosomes are allowed to enter this region. These data validate the general importance of the 3' UTR as a sheltered site for RNP complexes and support a specific model in which the stabilizing function of {alpha}CP is mediated on actively translating target mRNAs.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Departments of Genetics and Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Room 428 CRB, 415 Curie Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104. Phone: (215) 898-7834. Fax: (215) 573-5157. E-mail: liebhabe{at}mail.med.upenn.edu.

Molecular and Cellular Biology, February 2003, p. 899-907, Vol. 23, No. 3
0022-538X/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/MCB.23.3.899-907.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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