Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 19, 2026

Isolation of mRNAs Associated with Yeast Mitochondria to Study Mechanisms of Localized Translation
14:44

Isolation of mRNAs Associated with Yeast Mitochondria to Study Mechanisms of Localized Translation

Published on: March 14, 2014

Ribosomal proteins of the dimorphic fungus, Mucor racemosus

A Larsen, P Sypherd

    Molecular & General Genetics : MGG
    |August 1, 1979
    PubMed

    Insights

    Researchers studied ribosomal proteins in Mucor racemosus, finding a key protein (S-6) on the 40S subunit is phosphorylated in yeast and hyphae but not spores, varying with growth conditions.

    Area of Science:

    • Molecular Biology
    • Mycology
    • Biochemistry

    Background:

    • Ribosomes are essential for protein synthesis in all cells.
    • Fungal dimorphism involves transitions between different growth forms, often accompanied by molecular changes.
    • Mucor racemosus is a model organism for studying fungal dimorphism.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To compare ribosomal proteins between yeast and mycelial phases of Mucor racemosus.
    • To identify any differences in ribosomal protein composition or modification.
    • To investigate the phosphorylation status of specific ribosomal proteins during different growth stages.

    Main Methods:

    • Isolation and characterization of ribosomal proteins using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis.
    • Comparison of protein profiles from yeast, mycelial, and sporangiospore forms.
    • Phosphorylation analysis of specific proteins, including peptide mapping after enzymatic digestion.

    Main Results:

    • Ribosomal proteins were qualitatively indistinguishable between yeast and mycelial phases.
    • A specific protein, S-6 of the 40S ribosomal subunit, showed differential phosphorylation.
    • Protein S-6 was phosphorylated in yeast and hyphae but not in sporangiospores, with varying phosphate levels (1-3 phosphates/molecule) dependent on growth conditions.

    Conclusions:

    • The phosphorylation state of ribosomal protein S-6 is a distinguishing feature between growth forms of Mucor racemosus.
    • This modification may play a role in regulating ribosomal function or adaptation during fungal dimorphism.
    • Further research is needed to elucidate the functional significance of S-6 phosphorylation in Mucor racemosus.

    More Related Videos

    Rapid Isolation of the Mitoribosome from HEK Cells09:33

    Rapid Isolation of the Mitoribosome from HEK Cells

    Published on: October 4, 2018

    Sexual Crosses with the Mucoromycete Phycomyces blakesleeanus05:34

    Sexual Crosses with the Mucoromycete Phycomyces blakesleeanus

    Published on: June 6, 2025

    Related Concept Videos

    Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts01:57

    Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts

    Groups of proteins may form a complex where each protein in this complex has a different role in the overall execution of the complex’s function. Often some of the proteins in the complex can be replaced by a closely related variant to give a complex that contains many of the same components yet is functionally distinct.
    The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order to...
    Riboswitches01:56

    Riboswitches

    Riboswitches are non-coding mRNA domains that regulate the transcription and translation of downstream genes without the help of proteins. Riboswitches bind directly to a metabolite and can form unique stem-loop or hairpin structures in response to the amount of the metabolite present. They have two distinct regions – a metabolite-binding aptamer and an expression platform.
    The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
    Rab Proteins01:14

    Rab Proteins

    Rab proteins constitute the largest family of monomeric GTPases, of which 70 members are present in humans. Rab proteins and their effectors regulate consecutive stages of vesicle transport such as vesicle transport, docking, and fusion to the correct recipient membrane.
    Rab proteins switch between a cytosolic, GDP-bound inactive state and a membrane-anchored, GTP-bound active state. By themselves, Rabs show slow rates of GDP/GTP exchange and GTP hydrolysis. Thus, Rab proteins are considered...
    Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

    Fungal Group Zygomycota

    Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
    Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota01:26

    Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

    Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...
    Antifungal Agents01:15

    Antifungal Agents

    Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...