Coordinating expression of RNA binding proteins with their mRNA targets

Sci Rep. 2014 Nov 24:4:7175. doi: 10.1038/srep07175.

Abstract

Post-transcriptional regulation by RNA binding proteins (RBPs) plays prominent roles in a variety of biological processes. In this study, by analyzing the global regulatory relationship between RBPs and their target mRNAs in yeast, we discovered that most RBP genes are co-regulated with their target genes, but the RBPs tend to dampen expression variation among their target mRNAs. We further examined a well-studied RBP gene, PUF3, and found that the protein decreases the variation of its target mRNAs by differentially affecting their decay. We also constructed a mathematical model to explain the relationship between RBPs and the expression of their target genes. Our results provided new insights into the functional importance of RBPs in coordinating the expression of their target genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA, Messenger / chemistry
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / chemistry
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • PUF3 protein, S cerevisiae
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors