Single-Molecule mRNA Decay Measurements Reveal Promoter- Regulated mRNA Stability in Yeast

Messenger RNA decay measurements are typically performed on a population of cells. However, this approach cannot reveal sufficient complexity to provide information on mechanisms that may regulate mRNA degradation, possibly on short time scales. To address this deficiency, we measured cell cycle regulated decay in single yeast cells using single-molecule FISH. We found that two genes responsible for mitotic progression, SWI5 and CLB2 exhibit a mitosis-dependent mRNA stability switch. Their transcripts are stable until mitosis when a precipitous decay eliminates the mRNA complement, preventing carry-over into the next cycle. Remarkably, the specificity and timing of decay is entirely regulated by their promoter, independent of specific cis mRNA sequences. The mitotic exit network protein, Dbf2p binds to SWI5 and CLB2 mRNAs co-transcriptionally and regulates their decay. This work reveals the promoter-dependent control of mRNA stability, a novel regulatory mechanism that could be employed by a variety of mRNAs and organisms.