Assays

Genes are transcribed in polysictronic messages (pre-mRNA) that are destined for either maturation into mRNAs, or degradation. Since transcription regulation is non-existent with few exceptions, the rate of pre-mRNA processing, together with mRNA decay and translation rates, are believed to control gene expression. In this assay, 2T1 blood form trypanosomes are subject to treatment by ActinomycinD for 5 minutes, inhibiting transcription. The cells are harvested, depleted for ribosomal RNA, and ...

This assay is designed to measure the decay kinetics of mRNA in T. brucei blood forms. T. brucei lacks the canonical transcriptional regulation employed by other eukaryotes through transcription factors, and relies almost entirely on regulation of mRNA decay and further downstream steps in order to control gene expression. 3 replicates of 8 time points were taken to measure mRNA abundance in the cell using RNA-seq. The first time point was fot WT, untreated cells; the second was 5 min after the ...