Evidence of efficient stop codon readthrough in four mammalian genes

摘要: Stop codon readthrough is used extensively by viruses to expand their gene expression. Until recent discoveries in Drosophila, only a very limited number of cases chromosomal genes had been reported. Analysis conserved protein coding signatures that extend beyond annotated stop codons identified potential four mammalian genes. Here we use modified targeted bioinformatic approach identify further three candidates. All seven were tested experimentally using reporter constructs transfected into HEK-293T cells. Four displayed efficient readthrough, and these have UGA immediately followed CUAG. Comparative genomic analysis revealed the candidates containing UGA-CUAG, this motif not mammals but throughout vertebrates with first six nucleotides being universally conserved. The importance CUAG was confirmed systematic mutagenesis approach. One gene, OPRL1, encoding an opiate receptor, extremely levels (∼31%) Signals both 5 � 3 OPRL1