Translation of the chloroplast psbA mRNA requires the nuclear-encoded poly(A)-binding protein, RB47

J Cell Biol. 1998 Jul 27;142(2):435-42. doi: 10.1083/jcb.142.2.435.

Abstract

A set of nuclear mutants of C. reinhardtii were identified that specifically lack translation of the chloroplast-encoded psbA mRNA, which encodes the photosystem II reaction center polypeptide D1. Two of these mutants are deficient in the 47-kD member (RB47) of the psbA RNA-binding complex, which has previously been identified both genetically and biochemically as a putative translational activator of the chloroplast psbA mRNA. RB47 is a member of the poly(A)-binding protein family, and binds with high affinity and specificity to the 5' untranslated region of the psbA mRNA. The results presented here confirm RB47's role as a message-specific translational activator in the chloroplast, and bring together genetic and biochemical data to form a cohesive model for light- activated translational regulation in the chloroplast.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / genetics*
  • Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / metabolism*
  • Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / radiation effects
  • Chloroplasts / metabolism
  • Chloroplasts / radiation effects
  • Gene Expression
  • Light
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutagenesis, Insertional
  • Mutation
  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins / genetics*
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex
  • Poly(A)-Binding Proteins
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • RNA, Protozoan / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex
  • Poly(A)-Binding Proteins
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Protozoan
  • RNA-Binding Proteins