Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 25, 2026
11:19
Novel RNA-Binding Proteins Isolation by the RaPID Methodology
Published on: September 30, 2016
9.5K
Rps26 directs mRNA-specific translation by recognition of Kozak sequence elements
Max B Ferretti1,2, Homa Ghalei1, Ethan A Ward1
1Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, USA.
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
|August 1, 2017
Summary
Researchers discovered that specific ribosomes, lacking Rps26 protein, are produced during stress. These specialized ribosomes enhance gene expression through a novel translational stress response, explaining Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Ribosomes are crucial for protein synthesis.
- Rps26 protein is implicated in Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) pathogenesis.
- Cellular stress responses involve both transcriptional and translational regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for separating distinct ribosome populations.
- To investigate the role of Rps26 in mRNA translation.
- To understand the impact of Rps26 deficiency on cellular stress responses and gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Separation of two ribosome populations from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify bound mRNAs.
- Analysis of Rps26's role in Kozak sequence recognition and mRNA-specific translation.
Main Results:
- Rps26 facilitates mRNA-specific translation by recognizing the Kozak sequence.
- Rps26-deficient ribosomes preferentially translate stress-response pathway mRNAs.
- Cellular stress induces the formation of Rps26-deficient ribosomes, increasing target mRNA translation.
Conclusions:
- A novel paradigm of specialized ribosome production during stress is described.
- This translational stress response creates a feed-forward loop in gene expression.
- Rps26 deficiency in ribosomes explains DBA pathogenesis through gain-of-function and loss-of-function phenotypes.
Related Concept Videos
02:22Regulated mRNA Transport
7.1K
In eukaryotes, transcription and translation are compartmentalized; an mRNA is first synthesized in the nucleus and then selectively transported to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis. Before transport, a pre-mRNA undergoes several steps of post-transcriptional modifications including splicing, 5' capping, and the addition of a poly-adenine tail. Various proteins bind to the pre-mRNA during these modifications. The mRNA transport takes place with the help of multiple proteins playing...
7.1K
02:28Leaky Scanning
5.8K
During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA. Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R...
5.8K
02:33Initiation of Translation
39.6K
Initiating translation is complex because it involves multiple molecules. Initiator tRNA, ribosomal subunits, and eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) are all required to assemble on the initiation codon of mRNA. This process consists of several steps that are mediated by different eIFs.
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
39.6K
02:33Initiation of Translation
8.3K
8.3K
01:34Directing Proteins to the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
18.1K
The organelle-specific signaling sequences direct proteins synthesized in the cytosol to their final destination like ER, mitochondria, peroxisomes, etc. Some of the proteins directed to ER are then trafficked via vesicles to other organelles within the cell or the extracellular environment through the Golgi complex. For example, the rough ER synthesizes soluble proteins for transportation to the lysosomes or secretion out of the cell. It can also synthesize transmembrane proteins that can...
18.1K
02:24Ribosome Profiling
4.2K
Ribosome profiling or ribo-sequencing is a deep sequencing technique that produces a snapshot of active translation in a cell. It selectively sequences the mRNAs protected by ribosomes to get an insight into a cell’s translation landscape at any given point in time.
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
4.2K