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Translational Regulation01:29

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Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...
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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...
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Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs
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Stem-Loop Structures within mRNA Coding Sequences Activate Translation Initiation and Mediate Control by Small

Jonathan Jagodnik1, Claude Chiaruttini1, Maude Guillier1

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Bacterial mRNA stem-loop structures within coding sequences can activate translation initiation, contrary to typical inhibitory effects. Small RNAs can target these structures to control gene expression.

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BAM complexHfqenterobactinnon-coding RNAregulatory RNAregulatory mechanismsiderophorestarting blocktoeprinttranslation-activating structure

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Bacterial Gene Regulation

Background:

  • mRNA secondary structures often inhibit bacterial translation by blocking ribosome binding.
  • Translation initiation is a critical, rate-limiting step in gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of mRNA stem-loop structures in coding sequences on translation initiation.
  • To explore how regulatory RNAs interact with these structures to modulate gene expression.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro ribosome binding assays.
  • Analysis of fepA and bamA mRNA structures in Escherichia coli.
  • Investigating the interaction of OmrA and OmrB small RNAs with mRNA structures.

Main Results:

  • Stem-loop structures in fepA and bamA coding sequences activate translation initiation.
  • These activating structures promote ribosome binding independently of their nucleotide sequence.
  • OmrA and OmrB small RNAs disrupt the fepA stem-loop, repressing FepA synthesis.

Conclusions:

  • mRNA secondary structures within coding regions can activate, not just inhibit, translation.
  • Translation-activating elements in mRNA can be targeted by small RNAs for gene regulation.
  • Challenges the view of mRNA secondary structures solely as translation inhibitors.