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Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...
Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps02:24

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps02:24

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
What is Gene Expression?01:42

What is Gene Expression?

Overview
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
What is Gene Expression?01:36

What is Gene Expression?

A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is comprised  of nucleotides and proteins are comprised of amino acids, a mediator is required to convert the information encoded in DNA into proteins. This mediator is the messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA copies the blueprint from DNA by a process called transcription. In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus by complementary base-pairing with the DNA template. The mRNA is then processed and...
Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors01:52

Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors

Certain biochemical processes, such as embryonic development and cell growth regulation, depend on the repression of specific genes. DNA binding proteins known as eukaryotic transcription inhibitors regulate the repression of gene expression in eukaryotes. The presence of these inhibitors at the required location and time in the cell is triggered by the presence of hormones and additional signals from other cells.
Eukaryotic transcription inhibitors usually contain two distinct domains, a DNA...

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An Easy Method for Plant Polysome Profiling
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Argonaute-mediated translational repression (and activation).

Shintaro Iwasaki1, Yukihide Tomari

  • 1Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences and Department of Medical Genome Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Fly
|June 27, 2009
PubMed
Summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression through RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs). New findings show Argonaute proteins (Ago) differentially control translation, with Ago2 activating it in poly(A)-tail-less mRNAs.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression, primarily acting by inhibiting translation or promoting mRNA decay.
  • These regulatory functions are executed by RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs), which are protein complexes containing Argonaute (Ago) proteins.
  • The precise mechanisms by which miRNAs modulate target mRNA translation remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the distinct mechanisms by which Drosophila Ago1 and Ago2 proteins regulate target mRNA translation.
  • To investigate the role of mRNA poly(A) tail length in Ago-mediated translational control.
  • To provide insights into the nuanced regulation of gene expression by miRNAs.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of translational repression and activation mediated by Ago1 and Ago2 in Drosophila.
  • Experimental manipulation of poly(A) tail length on target mRNAs to assess its impact on Ago function.
  • Review and synthesis of recent findings on miRNA-mediated translational regulation.

Main Results:

  • Both Drosophila Ago1 and Ago2 can repress target mRNA translation, but through distinct mechanisms.
  • Ago2, unlike Ago1, demonstrates the ability to activate target mRNA translation when the poly(A) tail is absent.
  • Poly(A) tail length emerges as a critical factor influencing the outcome of Ago2-mediated translational regulation.

Conclusions:

  • Argonaute proteins exhibit differential roles in miRNA-mediated translational control.
  • The poly(A) tail of an mRNA significantly impacts whether Ago2 represses or activates its translation.
  • These findings highlight the complexity of miRNA-mediated gene silencing and activation pathways.