Structure and expression of a non-polyadenylated ribosome bound transcript carrying the sequence of human ribosomal protein L7 mRNA in antisense orientation.

Human ribosomal protein L7 has been shown to be involved in the control of translation of distinct mRNAs. In this study we report the existence of an RNA carrying sequences that are complementary (antisense) to the entire coding (sense) region of L7 mRNA. L7 antisense transcripts are not polyadenylated and associate with the large subunit of the ribosome. The antisense sequence is encoded by an intronless gene segment distinct from the active copy of the L7 gene. Upon mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes and monocytes from mice and humans, complex expression patterns of L7 transcripts are observed.