Codon optimality influences homeostatic gene expression in zebrafish.

The ribosome plays a crucial role in translating mRNA into protein; however, the genetic code extends beyond merely specifying amino acids. Upon translation, codons, the three-nucleotide sequences interpreted by ribosomes, have regulatory properties affecting mRNA stability, a phenomenon known as codon optimality. Codon optimality has been previously observed in vertebrates during embryogenesis, where specific codons can influence the stability and degradation rates of mRNA transcripts.

Probing the hydrolytic degradation of UF in humid air.

This manuscript describes the chemical transformations that occur during hydrolysis of uranium tetrafluoride (UF) due to its storage in humid air (85% and 50% relative humidity) at ambient temperatures. This hydrolysis was previously reported to proceed slowly or not at all (depending on the percent relative humidity); however, previous reports relied primarily on X-ray diffraction methods to probe uranium speciation. In our report, we employ a battery of physiochemical probing techniques to explore potential hydrolysis, including Raman spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and focused ion beam microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Characterizing the solid hydrolysis product, UF(HO), generated from neat water reactions with UF at room temperature.

Uranium tetrafluoride (UF) is an important intermediate in the production of UF and uranium metal. Room temperature hydrolysis of UF was investigated using a combination of Fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (F NMR), Raman and infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and microscopy measurements. UF(HO) was identified as the primary solid hydrolysis product when anhydrous UF was stirred in deionized water.

Crosstalk between codon optimality and cis-regulatory elements dictates mRNA stability.

Background: The regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) stability has a profound impact on gene expression dynamics during embryogenesis. For example, in animals, maternally deposited mRNAs are degraded after fertilization to enable new developmental trajectories. Regulatory sequences in 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs) have long been considered the central determinants of mRNA stability.