Destabilization of rbcS sense transcripts by antisense RNA.

Steady-state rbcS mRNA levels are drastically reduced in transgenic tobacco plants that express rbcS antisense RNAs. We have found that these reductions are not due to an effect of the antisense RNA at the level of rbcS transcription; rather, the sense mRNAs are more actively degraded in the mutant than wild-type plants. We have examined the kinetics of this turnover process by inhibiting transcription with cordycepin, and have found that rbcS sense mRNA decay is accelerated about five-fold in the antisense plants. This provides direct evidence that antisense RNAs can serve to destabilize sense transcripts in plants.