Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026
12:00
A Practical Guide to Phylogenetics for Nonexperts
Published on: February 5, 2014
36.1K
A phylogenetically conserved hnRNP type A/B protein from squid brain.
Gabriel Sarti Lopes1, Diego Torrecillas Paula Lico1, Rafael Silva-Rocha1
1Dept. Cellular & Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.
Neuroscience Letters
|January 6, 2019
Summary
Researchers identified and structurally modeled squid hnRNPA/B-like Protein 2, revealing conserved RNA-binding motifs and homodimerization potential. This protein
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Eukaryotic mRNA precursors form ribonucleoprotein complexes during transcription.
- Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are crucial for mRNA processing, stability, localization, and translation regulation.
- Mammals possess approximately 20 major classes of hnRNPs, with hnRNPA/B types being well-characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize novel hnRNPA/B-like proteins identified in squid.
- To generate a structural model of squid hnRNPA/B-like Protein 2 and assess its dimerization potential.
- To investigate the cellular localization and stress-induced behavior of squid hnRNPA/B-like Protein 2 in human cells.
Main Methods:
- In silico three-dimensional structural modeling of squid hnRNPA/B-like Protein 2.
- Biophysical measurements of bacterially expressed recombinant protein to confirm homodimerization.
- Heterologous expression of squid hnRNPA/B-like Protein 2 in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y).
- Observation of protein localization under basal and stress conditions (sorbitol challenge).
Main Results:
- Squid hnRNPA/B-like Protein 2 exhibits conserved RNA recognition motifs and tertiary structure similar to human hnRNPA1.
- The protein demonstrates a potential for stable homodimerization, confirmed by biophysical data.
- Exclusively nuclear localization of squid hnRNPA/B-like Protein 2 in human cells, dependent on its C-terminal sequence.
- Relocation to cytoplasmic PABP-containing particles upon sorbitol-induced stress, indicating involvement in stress granules.
Conclusions:
- Squid hnRNPA/B-like Protein 2 shares structural and functional similarities with mammalian hnRNPA/B proteins.
- The protein's localization and stress-induced behavior suggest a role in mRNA regulation and stress response pathways.
- This study provides insights into the evolution and function of hnRNPs in neuronal mRNA processing.
Related Concept Videos
02:26Conservation of Protein Domains Over Different Proteins
14.4K
Protein domains are small structurally independent units that are part of a single amino acid chain. Although these domains are often structurally independent, they may rely on synergistic effects to perform their functions as part of a larger protein. Protein domains may be conserved within the same organism, as well as across different organisms.
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to...
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to...
14.4K
02:26Conservation of Protein Domains
4.1K
4.1K
01:49Conserved Binding Sites
5.2K
Many proteins’ biological role depends on their interactions with their ligands, small molecules that bind to specific locations on the protein known as ligand-binding sites. Ligand-binding sites are often conserved among homologous proteins as these sites are critical for protein function.
Binding sites are often located in large pockets, and if their location on a protein’s surface is unknown, it can be predicted using various approaches. The energetic method computationally...
Binding sites are often located in large pockets, and if their location on a protein’s surface is unknown, it can be predicted using various approaches. The energetic method computationally...
5.2K
03:21Phylogenetic Trees
49.6K
Phylogenetic trees come in many forms. It matters in which sequence the organisms are arranged from the bottom to the top of the tree, but the branches can rotate at their nodes without altering the information. The lines connecting individual nodes can be straight, angled, or even curved.
49.6K
01:57What is Conservation Biology?
24.3K
Conservation biology is a scientific field that focuses on the preservation of biodiversity in order to protect ecosystems while meeting the needs of the human population. Humans require properly functioning ecosystems to maintain our supply of natural resources, including food, medicines, and building materials.
24.3K
02:04Conservation of Small Populations
17.2K
Small population sizes put a species at extreme risk of extinction due to a lack of variation, and a consequent decrease in adaptability. This weakens the chances of survival under pressures such as climate change, competition from other species, or new diseases. Large populations are more likely to survive pressures such as these, as such populations are more likely to harbor individuals that have genetic variants that are adaptive under new stresses. Small populations are much less...
17.2K