Cloning, sequence analysis, and expression of alteration of the mRNA stability gene (ams+) of Escherichia coli.

The ams+ gene, which influences the stability of mRNA in Escherichia coli was cloned in pBR322. The product of the gene, which is a 17,000-dalton protein, was expressed in expression vector pRC23, a derivative of pBR322. The molecular weight is consistent with sequencing analysis which shows that the gene contains 595 nucleotides and has an open reading frame of 149 amino acids. We discussed the possible role(s) of the ams+ gene product in affecting mRNA stability.