A codon window in mRNA downstream of the initiation codon where NGG codons give strongly reduced gene expression in Escherichia coli

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • Ernesto I Gonzalez de Valdivia
  • Leif A Isaksson
The influences on gene expression by codons at positions +2, +3, +5 and +7 downstream of the initiation codon have been compared. Most of the +2 codons that are known to give low gene expression are associated with a higher expression if placed at the later positions. The NGG codons AGG, CGG, UGG and GGG, but not GGN or GNG (where N is non-G), are unique since they are associated with a very low gene expression also if located at positions +2, +3 and +5. All codons, including NGG, give a normal gene expression if placed at positions +7. The negative effect by the NGG codons is true for both the lacZ and 3A' model genes. The low expression is suggested to originate at the translational level, although it is not the result of mRNA secondary structure or a lowered intracellular mRNA pool.
Original languageEnglish
Book seriesNucleic Acids Symposium Series
Volume32
Issue number17
Pages (from-to)5198-205
Number of pages8
ISSN0261-3166
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2004

    Research areas

  • Codon, Codon, Initiator, Escherichia coli, Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial, Protein Biosynthesis, RNA, Messenger, Transcription, Genetic

ID: 32642081