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Posttranscriptional regulation of ornithine decarboxylase

Shannon L Nowotarski1, Sofia Origanti, Lisa M Shantz

  • 1Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|February 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that control ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) protein synthesis. This discovery offers potential new strategies for cancer therapy by targeting polyamine accumulation.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and protein levels are tightly regulated.
  • Dysregulation of ODC is implicated in oncogenic processes and tumor development.
  • While ODC regulation is studied at transcriptional, translational, and degradation levels, the specific RNA binding proteins (RBPs) influencing ODC mRNA remain undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify RBPs that bind to the ODC mRNA transcript.
  • To investigate how RBP binding to ODC mRNA affects ODC protein synthesis.
  • To explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting ODC mRNA regulation for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Ras-transformed rat intestinal epithelial cells (Ras12V cells) as a model system.
  • Employed techniques to measure RNA binding protein (RBP) association with ODC mRNA.
  • Applied methods for assessing mRNA translation initiation rates.

Main Results:

  • Initiated the identification of RBPs that associate with the ODC transcript in Ras12V cells.
  • Established methodologies for quantifying RBP binding to ODC mRNA and measuring translation initiation.
  • Provided a foundation for understanding posttranscriptional control of ODC synthesis.

Conclusions:

  • Identifying specific RBPs offers insights into ODC posttranscriptional regulation.
  • Targeting ODC translation or mRNA decay presents a potential therapeutic avenue for cancers.
  • Limiting polyamine accumulation via ODC regulation could inhibit tumor development.

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