Cbc2p, Upf3p and eIF4G are components of the DRN (Degradation of mRNA in the Nucleus) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract

Messenger RNAs retained in the nucleus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are subjected to a degradation system designated DRN (Degradation of mRNA in the Nucleus) that is dependent on the nuclear mRNA cap-binding protein, Cbc1p, as well as nuclear exosome component Rrp6p, a 3' to 5' exoribonuclease. DRN has been shown to act on RNAs preferentially retained in the nucleus, such as: (1) global mRNAs in export defective nup116-Δ mutant strains at the restrictive temperature; (2) a certain class of normal mRNAs called special mRNAs (e.g. IMP3 and YLR194c mRNAs); and (3) mutant mRNAs for example, lys2-187 and cyc1-512. In this study, we further identify three novel components of DRN (Cbc2p, Upf3p and Tif4631p) by employing a genetic screen and by considering proteins/factors that interact with Cbc1p. Participation of these components in DRN was confirmed by demonstrating that null alleles of these genes resulted in stabilization of the rapid decay of global mRNAs in the export defective nup116-Δ strain and of representative special mRNAs. Depletion of Tif4632p, an isoform of Tif4631p, also exhibited a partial impairment of DRN function and is therefore also considered to play a functional role in DRN. These findings clearly establish that CBC2, UPF3, and TIF4631/32 gene products participate in DRN function.