Promoter Elements Regulate Cytoplasmic mRNA Decay

SummaryPromoters are DNA elements that enable transcription and its regulation by trans-acting factors. Here, we demonstrate that yeast promoters can also regulate mRNA decay after the mRNA leaves the nucleus. A conventional yeast promoter consists of a core element and an upstream activating sequence (UAS). We find that changing UASs of a reporter gene without altering the transcript sequence affects the transcript's decay kinetics. A short cis element, comprising two Rap1p-binding sites, and Rap1p itself, are necessary and sufficient to induce enhanced decay of the reporter mRNA. Furthermore, Rap1p stimulates both the synthesis and the decay of a specific population of endogenous mRNAs. We propose that Rap1p association with target promoter in the nucleus affects the composition of the exported mRNP, which in turn regulates mRNA decay in the cytoplasm. Thus, promoters can play key roles in determining mRNA levels and have the capacity to coordinate rates of mRNA synthesis and decay.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (298 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► DNA promoters can regulate the cytoplasmic decay of mRNAs ► Both exonucleolytic mRNA decay pathways can be regulated by the promoter ► Rap1p-binding elements in promoters confer enhanced mRNA decay rates ► Rap1p stimulates both synthesis and decay of specific mRNAs