Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
08:49
Peering at Brain Polysomes with Atomic Force Microscopy
Published on: March 16, 2016
How cells get the message: dynamic assembly and function of mRNA-protein complexes
Michaela Müller-McNicoll1, Karla M Neugebauer
1Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany. mmueller@mpi-cbg.de
Nature Reviews. Genetics
|March 13, 2013
Summary
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is packaged into ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs) by numerous proteins. This packaging influences mRNA
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Cell biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) undergoes complex processing and transport.
- mRNA is packaged into messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs).
- Numerous RNA-binding and associated proteins influence mRNA fate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the diversity of mRNA-associated proteins.
- To understand the interconnections between mRNA processing steps.
- To highlight the role of mRNP formation and packaging in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Cell biology techniques.
- Genome-wide high-throughput approaches.
Main Results:
- Revealed diverse mRNA-associated proteins.
- Identified unforeseen interconnections in mRNA processing.
- Demonstrated mRNP packaging sorts RNAs by length.
- Showcased alternative pathways for mRNP assembly, processing, and export.
Conclusions:
- mRNP packaging is crucial for mRNA fate.
- mRNA packaging influences RNA sorting and cellular localization.
- Insights into mRNP formation advance understanding of gene expression regulation.
Related Concept Videos
02:31Nuclear Export of mRNA
Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
02:31Nuclear Export of mRNA
Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
02:11Proteins: From Genes to Degradation
Within a biological system, the DNA encodes the RNA, and the nucleotide sequence in the RNA further defines the amino acid sequence in the protein. This is referred to as “The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology” - a term coined by Francis Crick. Central dogma is a firm principle in biology that defines the flow of genetic information within any life form. The two fundamental steps in central dogma are - transcription and translation.
Transcription is the synthesis of RNA molecules by RNA...
Transcription is the synthesis of RNA molecules by RNA...
02:41Protein Complex Assembly
Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types. Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
02:41Protein Complex Assembly
Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types. Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
01:27Ribosomes
Ribosomes translate genetic information encoded by messenger RNA (mRNA) into proteins. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have ribosomes. Cells that synthesize large quantities of protein—such as secretory cells in the human pancreas—can contain millions of ribosomes.
Ribosome Structure and Assembly
Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins. In eukaryotes, rRNA is transcribed from genes in the nucleolus—a part of the nucleus that specializes in ribosome production. Within...
Ribosome Structure and Assembly
Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins. In eukaryotes, rRNA is transcribed from genes in the nucleolus—a part of the nucleus that specializes in ribosome production. Within...