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Polyadenylation signal and polyadenylation site

The polyadenilation in the process required for the synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA) in which an endonucleolityc RNA cleavage is coupled with synthesis of polyadenosine [poly(A)] on the newly formed 3'end. The elements required for polyadenylation are the polyadenylation signal and the polyadenylation site.

Polyadenylation signal

• IMGT label: POLYA_SIGNAL
• Conserved motif: AATAAA
• The polyadenylation signals are located downstream of the 3' exons [1].
• Example: A POLYA_SIGNAL located 103 bp downstream of the human IGHG3 CH3 exon (which includes the CH-S region) is used in the transcription of secreted gamma3 chains.
  A POLYA_SIGNAL located downstream of the human IGHG3 M2 exon is used in the transcription of membrane gamma3 chains [2].

Polyadenylation site

• IMGT label: POLYA_SITE
• The polyadenylation site is the site at which polyadenine is added to mRNA. It is localized downstream of the POLYA_SIGNAL. The POLYA_SITE can be determined by comparing cDNA and genomic DNA.
• The sequence immediatly 5' to the site of RNA cleavage is frequently (but not always) CA. A G-U-rich element usually lies just downstream of the site of cleavage end important for efficient processing [3].

References:

[1]	Wahle E. and Keller W., Ann. Rev. Biochem., 61, 419-440 (1992)
[2]	Lefranc, M.-P. and Lefranc, G., The immunoglobulin FactsBook, Academic Press, London, 458 pages (2001) ISBN: 012441351X
[3]	Manley J.-L. and Takagaki Y., Science, 274, 1481-1482 (1996)

Created: 09/11/2001
Last updated: Friday, 15-Jan-2010 17:12:50 CET
Contact: Marie-Paule
Editors: Elodie Foulquier, Patrick Chastellan, Chantal Ginestoux
Contact: Marie-Paule Lefranc

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