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Related Concept Videos

RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins02:36

RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins

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Proteins that regulate transcription can do so either via direct contact with RNA Polymerase or through indirect interactions facilitated by adaptors, mediators, histone-modifying proteins, and nucleosome remodelers. Direct interactions to activate transcription is seen in bacteria as well as in some eukaryotic genes. In these cases, upstream activation sequences are adjacent to the promoters, and the activator proteins interact directly with the transcriptional machinery. For example, in...
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Translation01:31

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Lesson: Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
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Initiation of Translation02:33

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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.
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Termination of Translation01:44

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The large ribosomal subunit has several important structures essential to translation. These include the peptidyl transferase center (PTC) - which is the site where the peptide bond is formed - and a large, internal, water-filled tube through which the nascent polypeptide moves. This latter structure is called the Peptide Exit Tunnel, and it begins at the PTC and spans the body of the large ribosomal subunit. During translation, as the nascent polypeptide chain is synthesized, it passes through...
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Base complementarity between the three base pairs of mRNA codon and the tRNA anticodon is not a failsafe mechanism. Inaccuracies can range from a single mismatch to no correct base pairing at all. The free energy difference between the correct and nearly correct base pairs can be as small as 3 kcal/ mol. With complementarity being the only proofreading step, the estimated error frequency would be one wrong amino acid in every 100 amino acids incorporated. However, error frequencies observed in...
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Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
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Protein interaction and functional data indicate MTHFD2 involvement in RNA processing and translation.

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The metabolic enzyme MTHFD2, overexpressed in cancer, has a novel non-enzymatic role in RNA metabolism and translation, crucial for cancer cell proliferation and therapeutic targeting.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • MTHFD2 is a folate-coupled metabolic enzyme overexpressed in many cancers.
  • It is essential for cancer cell proliferation and a potential therapeutic target.
  • Emerging evidence points to a non-enzymatic function critical for cancer cell survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the non-enzymatic functions of MTHFD2.
  • To identify MTHFD2 interacting proteins and their roles in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry to identify MTHFD2 interacting proteins.
  • Integration with co-expression analysis, protein dynamics, and gene expression data.
  • Analysis of MTHFD2 knockdown effects using shRNA.

Main Results:

  • MTHFD2 interacts with nuclear proteins involved in RNA metabolism and translation, including ribosomal subunits and hnRNPs.
  • Interacting proteins are co-expressed with MTHFD2 during proliferation changes.
  • MTHFD2 knockdown affects RNA metabolism and translation, mimicking ribosomal subunit inhibition.

Conclusions:

  • MTHFD2 possesses a novel non-enzymatic function in RNA metabolism and translation.
  • This function is critical for cancer cell proliferation.
  • Understanding this role is key for developing targeted MTHFD2 cancer therapies.