biostudies-literatureCai YNIGMS NIH HHSe84630https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC3875557biostudies-literatureUnknown8(12)Whi3 is an RNA binding protein known to bind the mRNA of the yeast G1 cyclin gene CLN3. It inhibits CLN3 function, but the mechanism of this inhibition is unclear; in previous studies, Whi3 made no observable difference to CLN3 mRNA levels, translation, or protein abundance. Here, we re-approach this issue using microarrays, RNA-Seq, ribosome profiling, and other methods. By multiple methods, we find that the whi3 mutation causes a small but consistent increase in the abundance of hundreds of mRNAs, including the CLN3 mRNA. The effect on various mRNAs is roughly in proportion to the density of GCAU or UGCAU motifs carried by these mRNAs, which may be a binding site for Whi3. mRNA instability of Whi3 targets may in part depend on a 3' AU rich element (ARE), AUUUUA. In addition, the whi3 mutPloS oneEffects of the yeast RNA-binding protein Whi3 on the half-life and abundance of CLN3 mRNA and other targets.PMC3875557R01 GM039978R01 GM039978-25Futcher BCai YfalseEffects of the yeast RNA-binding protein Whi3 on the half-life and abundance of CLN3 mRNA and other targets.Whi3 is an RNA binding protein known to bind the mRNA of the yeast G1 cyclin gene CLN3. It inhibits CLN3 function, but the mechanism of this inhibition is unclear; in previous studies, Whi3 made no observable difference to CLN3 mRNA levels, translation, or protein abundance. Here, we re-approach this issue using microarrays, RNA-Seq, ribosome profiling, and other methods. By multiple methods, we find that the whi3 mutation causes a small but consistent increase in the abundance of hundreds of mRNAs, including the CLN3 mRNA. The effect on various mRNAs is roughly in proportion to the density of GCAU or UGCAU motifs carried by these mRNAs, which may be a binding site for Whi3. mRNA instability of Whi3 targets may in part depend on a 3' AU rich element (ARE), AUUUUA. In addition, the whi3 mut2013-01-01T00:00:00Z20132026-04-08T00:42:39.405Z2019-03-26T23:17:31ZS-EPMC38755572438640210.1371/journal.pone.0084630