5′-Terminal structure and mRNA stability

Abstract
Reovirus mRNA with 5''-terminal m7GpppGm or GpppG are more stable than mRNA containing unblocked ppG 5''-ends when injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes or incubated in cell-free protein synthesizing extracts of wheat germ and mouse L cells. The greater stability of mRNA with blocked 5'' termini is not dependent upon translation but seems to result from protection against 5''-exonucleolytic degradation.