Edited transcripts compete with unedited mRNAs for trans-acting editing factors in higher plant chloroplasts

Gene. 2001 Jul 11;272(1-2):165-71. doi: 10.1016/s0378-1119(01)00545-5.

Abstract

Chloroplast RNA transcripts of vascular plants undergo C to U editing at approximately 30 sites, but there is no consensus sequence that identifies a C to be edited. Both sequences closely surrounding an edited C and unidentified site-specific trans-acting factors have been shown to be important for editing. The ability of an already edited transgenic sequence to bind and thus titrate a trans-acting editing factor was evaluated for two editing sites, ndhF and rpoB site 2. The U-containing rpoB transcripts did not affect editing of the endogenous rpoB transcripts, likely because the comparable C-containing transcripts containing 27 nucleotides surrounding the edited C were only 20% edited, indicating a low affinity of a trans-factor for this length of edited sequence. Surprisingly, U-containing ndhF transgene transcripts reduced endogenous ndhF transcript editing to the same degree as a C-containing transgene transcript. This indicates that the C target of editing is not a critical recognition feature for the site-specific trans-acting factor.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Chloroplasts / genetics*
  • DNA, Chloroplast / genetics
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases
  • NADH Dehydrogenase / genetics
  • Nicotiana / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Plants, Toxic
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • RNA Editing*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • RNA, Plant / genetics
  • RNA, Plant / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transformation, Genetic

Substances

  • DNA, Chloroplast
  • Plant Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Plant
  • RpoB protein, Oryza sativa
  • NdhF protein, plant
  • NADH Dehydrogenase
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases