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Destabilization ofrbcS sense transcripts by antisense RNA

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Abstract

Steady-staterbcS mRNA levels are drastically reduced in transgenic tobacco plants that expressrbcS antisense RNAs. We have found that these reductions are not due to an effect of the antisense RNA at the level ofrbcS transcription; rather, the sense mRNAs are more actively degraded in the mutant than wild-type plants. We have examined the kinetics of this turnover process by inhibiting transcription with cordycepin, and have found thatrbcS sense mRNA decay is accelerated about five-fold in the antisense plants. This provides direct evidence that antisense RNAs can serve to destabilize sense transcripts in plants.

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Author notes

  1. Daniel Kliebenstein

    Present address: Department of Genetics and Development, Cornell University, 14850, Ithaca, NY, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Iowa State University, 50011, Ames, Iowa, USA

    Cai-Zhong Jiang, Daniel Kliebenstein, Ning Ke & Steve Rodermel

Authors
  1. Cai-Zhong Jiang
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  2. Daniel Kliebenstein
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  3. Ning Ke
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  4. Steve Rodermel
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Jiang, CZ., Kliebenstein, D., Ke, N. et al. Destabilization ofrbcS sense transcripts by antisense RNA. Plant Mol Biol 25, 569–576 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00043886

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00043886

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