Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Dissecting Cell-Autonomous Function of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein in an Auditory Circuit by In Ovo Electroporation
11:10

Dissecting Cell-Autonomous Function of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein in an Auditory Circuit by In Ovo Electroporation

Published on: July 6, 2022

Fragile X mental retardation protein interactions with the microtubule associated protein 1B RNA

Lakshmi Menon1, Samantha Ann Mader, Mihaela-Rita Mihailescu

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, USA.

RNA (New York, N.Y.)
|June 27, 2008
PubMed

Insights

The fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) RGG box binds MAP1B mRNA G quadruplex structures. FMRP concentration may regulate its function, switching between translation repression and activation.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Neurogenetics
  • RNA Biology

Background:

  • Fragile X mental retardation syndrome is the most common inherited intellectual disability.
  • The fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is absent in this syndrome.
  • FMRP utilizes its RGG box to bind specific RNA targets forming G quadruplex structures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the interaction between the FMRP RGG box and MAP1B mRNA.
  • To elucidate the binding mechanism and structural changes involved.

Main Methods:

  • Detailed biochemical analysis of FMRP RGG box and MAP1B mRNA interactions.
  • Investigation of binding affinity, specificity, and the role of G quadruplex structures.

Main Results:

  • MAP1B mRNA forms an intramolecular G quadruplex structure.
  • The FMRP RGG box binds this G quadruplex with high affinity and specificity.
  • Hydrophobic interactions are key in the FMRP RGG box-MAP1B RNA binding.
  • FMRP binding stabilizes the G quadruplex at low ratios and unfolds it at high ratios.

Conclusions:

  • FMRP RGG box interaction with MAP1B mRNA G quadruplex is specific and involves hydrophobic forces.
  • FMRP concentration-dependent structural changes in MAP1B RNA suggest a regulatory mechanism for FMRP function.
  • FMRP concentration shifts may switch its role from translation repressor to activator, impacting Fragile X syndrome pathology.

More Related Videos

A Robust Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Assay for Quantifying Cytosine-guanine-guanine Trinucleotide Repeats in Fragile X Mental Retardation-1 Gene08:22

A Robust Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Assay for Quantifying Cytosine-guanine-guanine Trinucleotide Repeats in Fragile X Mental Retardation-1 Gene

Published on: September 16, 2019

Generation and Characterization of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Astrocytes Lacking Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein10:59

Generation and Characterization of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Astrocytes Lacking Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein

Published on: June 6, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)01:42

Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

Microtubule function and architecture are regulated by an array of specialized proteins called microtubule-associated proteins or MAPs. These proteins are widespread across different organisms and have conserved protein motifs, like the multi-TOG domain for tubulin binding found in the CLASP family of MAPs. Some MAPs are lineage-specific based on their conserved domains. Their functions depend upon the cytoskeletal architecture and cell type they are located within. In-plant cells, a specific...
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression02:51

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated assembly and...
Destabilization of Microtubules01:45

Destabilization of Microtubules

The destabilization of microtubules can occur during different stages of the microtubule lifecycle, such as nucleation or elongation. It can take place at either end of the microtubule or in the microtubule lattices as a whole. The lifespan of individual microtubules within a cell varies according to the cell type and stage of the cell cycle. During interphase, the lifespan of the microtubule is about 30 minutes, while during cell division, it is about 15 minutes. In axonal microtubules of...
RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
RNA Splicing01:32

RNA Splicing

Splicing is the process by which eukaryotic RNA is edited before its translation into protein. The RNA strand transcribed from eukaryotic DNA is called the primary transcript. The primary transcripts that become mRNAs are called precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains alternating sequences of exons and introns. Exons are nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, whereas introns are the non-coding regions. In RNA splicing, introns are removed and exons are bonded...