biostudies-literatureUnknown123(8)Baeken MWOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityEGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) is one of the most common tools used in life sciences, including research focusing on proteostasis. Here we report that ERN1 (endoplasmic reticulum to nucleus signaling 1), which is upregulated by UPR (unfolded protein response), targets an RNA hairpin loop motif in EGFP mRNA. A silent mutation introduced into EGFP mRNA abolished the ERN1-dependent mRNA decay. Therefore, experiments that employ EGFP as a reporter gene in studies that involve upregulation of the UPR pathway should be interpreted carefully, and a mutant devoid of the ERN1 target motif may be more suitable for such studies.Journal of cellular biochemistry1298-1305https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9544080biostudies-literatureIdentification of an ERN1 target site within EGFP mRNA.PMC9544080Baeken MWYokobayashi YfalseIdentification of an ERN1 target site within EGFP mRNA.EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) is one of the most common tools used in life sciences, including research focusing on proteostasis. Here we report that ERN1 (endoplasmic reticulum to nucleus signaling 1), which is upregulated by UPR (unfolded protein response), targets an RNA hairpin loop motif in EGFP mRNA. A silent mutation introduced into EGFP mRNA abolished the ERN1-dependent mRNA decay. Therefore, experiments that employ EGFP as a reporter gene in studies that involve upregulation of the UPR pathway should be interpreted carefully, and a mutant devoid of the ERN1 target motif may be more suitable for such studies.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Aug2025-04-26T22:07:58.234Z2025-04-06T17:04:11.194ZS-EPMC95440803590820410.1002/jcb.30314