Laboratory evolution of mRNA stability

University Of California-Berkeley, Berkeley CA

Investigators

Abstract

0439124 Keasling The proposed research will examine the mechanisms regulating mRNA stability, translation, and protein synthesis in multi-gene operons. It will develop a new method for balancing the expression of multiple genes in operons. The PI has developed expression systems that allow for the introduction of secondary structures between the transcription and translation sites of heterologous genes to protect the mRNA from endonucleolytic cleavage resulting in increases in both mRNA and protein levels. There are many unknowns in mRNA degradation and a better understanding of the control of mRNA stability in multi-gene operons is a worthy objective that may result in the discovery of new mRNA degradation mechanisms.. This work will use laboratory techniques to evolve the desired levels of expression of multiple genes in an operon and/or new stability determinants for mRNA. This technology may find use for the production of multi subunit proteins such as used for vaccines.