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Published on: August 20, 2014
RNA molecules stimulate prion protein conversion
Nathan R Deleault1, Ralf W Lucassen, Surachai Supattapone
1Department of Biochemistry, 7200 Vail Building, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA.
Nature
|October 17, 2003
Summary
Prion diseases may require specific RNA molecules for the infectious protein (PrPSc) to amplify. Mammalian RNA stimulates this process, suggesting a role for host RNA in prion pathogenesis and diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Prion diseases are linked to infectious proteins (PrPSc) generated from normal glycoproteins (PrPC).
- The exact cellular factors promoting efficient PrPSc production remain unclear.
- Understanding PrPSc generation is crucial for prion disease pathogenesis and diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cellular factors required for efficient PrPSc production in vitro.
- To explore the role of nucleic acids in the biochemical amplification of PrPSc-like protein (PrPres).
Main Methods:
- Utilized a modified protein-misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) method.
- Investigated the biochemical amplification of protease-resistant PrPSc-like protein (PrPres) in vitro.
- Tested the effect of RNA preparations from different species on PrPres amplification.
Main Results:
- Stoichiometric transformation of PrPC to PrPres in vitro requires specific RNA molecules.
- Mammalian RNA preparations effectively stimulate in vitro PrPres amplification.
- RNA from invertebrate species did not stimulate PrPres amplification.
Conclusions:
- Host-encoded stimulatory RNA molecules may play a role in prion disease pathogenesis.
- Specific RNA molecules are essential for efficient PrPSc amplification in vitro.
- Findings offer a potential approach to enhance the sensitivity of diagnostic techniques for prion diseases.
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01:10Transcription
Overview
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
01:31Translation
Lesson: Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
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03:06From DNA to Protein
The flow of genetic information in cells from DNA to mRNA to protein is described by the central dogma, which states that genes specify the sequence of mRNAs, which in turn specify the sequence of amino acids making up all proteins. The decoding of one molecule to another is performed by specific proteins and RNAs. Because the information stored in DNA is so central to cellular function, it makes intuitive sense that the cell would make mRNA copies of this information for protein synthesis...
01:17Transcription
Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in correctly synthesizing messenger RNA (mRNA). Transcriptional regulation is responsible for the differentiation of different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
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01:31Translation
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Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
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Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
01:26Bacterial Protein Maturation
Bacterial protein maturation is a tightly regulated process that ensures newly synthesized polypeptides achieve correct functional conformations. This maturation involves a series of modifications, folding events, and quality control steps, often assisted by specialized chaperone proteins.N-Terminal ModificationsThe maturation of bacterial polypeptides begins cotranslationally as the polypeptide exits the ribosome. The first amino acid, N-formylmethionine (fMet), is typically modified at the...