Coding-Sequence Determinants of Gene Expression in Escherichia coli
University of the Sciences · Harvard University · +1 more institution
Abstract
Synonymous mutations do not alter the encoded protein, but they can influence gene expression. To investigate how, we engineered a synthetic library of 154 genes that varied randomly at synonymous sites, but all encoded the same green fluorescent protein (GFP). When expressed in Escherichia coli, GFP protein levels varied 250-fold across the library. GFP messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, mRNA degradation patterns, and bacterial growth rates also varied, but codon bias did not correlate with gene expression. Rather, the stability of mRNA folding near the ribosomal binding site explained more than half the variation in protein levels. In our analysis, mRNA folding and associated rates of translation initiation play a…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 39.42
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 29
Authors
4- GKGrzegorz KudlaCorresponding
University of the Sciences, Harvard University, Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology
- AWAndrew W. Murray
University of the Sciences, Harvard University, Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology
- DTDavid Tollervey
University of the Sciences, Harvard University, Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology
- JBJoshua B. PlotkinCorresponding
University of the Sciences, Harvard University, Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology
Topics & keywords
- Biology
- Gene
- Coding region
- Messenger RNA
- Codon usage bias
- Gene expression
- Escherichia coli
- Translational efficiency