Characterization of SERCA2b Ca2+–Mg2+ ATPase mRNA decay by nuclear proteins

Gene expression is controlled at several levels including mRNA decay. Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+–Mg2+-ATPase isoform 2b (SERCA2b) is central to Ca2+ signalling and homeostasis in several tissues. SERCA2b mRNA decay involves interactions between cis-acting elements in its 3′-region and trans-acting nuclear protein factors. In the presence of the protein factors, the synthetic capped and polyadenylated RNA fragment 2b1 (3444–3753) decays faster than other SERCA2b 3′-region fragments. Here we determined the minimum cis-acting destabilizing element in the decay and its interactions with the nuclear protein factors. The in vitro decay required ATP hydrolysis and Mg2+ but not Ca