2016/12/28 by Robert W. Walters, Tyler Matheny, Laura S. Mizoue +3 · 4 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #RNA Research and Splicing #RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms #RNA modifications and cancer
paper · pdf · doi:10.1073/pnas.1619369114
openalex publication_date 2016/12/28 · openalex created_date 2017/01/06 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Significance The knowledge of the number and functional significance of chemical modifications within mRNA has increased dramatically over the past few years. We identify an mRNA modification in the eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae , nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD + )–linked mRNA, which was previously reported in bacteria. This finding is significant for two reasons. First, NAD + is located at the 5′ terminus of mRNAs, where the 7-methylguanosine cap is known to modulate many important mRNA functions. Second, we present data that suggest NAD + is added as the initiating nucleotide during transcription, which suggests an additional layer of transcriptional control. The presence of an alternative cap structure on mRNA 5′ ends suggests a possible unanticipated level of regulation due to this modification.