Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Analysis of Translation Initiation During Stress Conditions by Polysome Profiling
Published on: May 19, 2014
Re-programming of translation following cell stress allows IRES-mediated translation to predominate
Keith A Spriggs1, Mark Stoneley, Martin Bushell
1School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
Abstract:
There is now an overwhelming body of evidence to suggest that internal ribosome entry is required to maintain the expression of specific proteins during patho-physiological situations when cap-dependent translation is compromised, for example, following heat shock or during mitosis, hypoxia, differentiation and apoptosis. Translational profiling has been used by several groups to assess the extent to which alternative mechanisms of translation initiation selectively recruit mRNAs to polysomes during cell stress. The data from these studies have shown that under each condition 3-5% of coding mRNAs remain associated with the polysomes. Importantly, the genes identified in each of these studies do not show a significant amount of overlap, suggesting that 10-15% of all mRNAs have the capability for their initiation to occur via alternative mechanism(s).
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
Stringent Response in E. coli
The Unfolded Protein Response
Translational Regulation
Post-translational Translocation of Proteins to the RER
Targeting proteins to the ER
Hsp40 and Hsp70 chaperone molecules bind the translated proteins in the cytosol to prevent their folding. The chaperone binding helps to keep the signal...
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

