Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 21, 2025
09:37
An Integrated Approach for Microprotein Identification and Sequence Analysis
Published on: July 12, 2022
3.8K
The micropeptide LEMP plays an evolutionarily conserved role in myogenesis.
Lantian Wang1, Jing Fan1, Lili Han2
1State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200031, Shanghai, China.
Cell Death & Disease
|May 13, 2020
Summary
Researchers discovered a conserved micropeptide, LEMP, encoded by MyolncR4, that is crucial for muscle development and regeneration across species. This finding highlights the evolutionary importance of micropeptides in biological processes.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Micropeptides are increasingly recognized as key regulators in biological processes.
- The functional conservation of micropeptides across species is largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary conservation and functional roles of micropeptides in myogenesis.
- To identify and characterize novel micropeptides involved in skeletal muscle differentiation.
Main Methods:
- RNA-sequencing of mouse satellite cells and differentiated myotubes.
- Bioinformatic analysis to identify conserved lncRNAs and potential micropeptide-encoding regions.
- Functional studies in mouse and zebrafish models, including gene knockout and rescue experiments.
Main Results:
- Identified MyolncR4 (1500011K16RIK) as a lncRNA upregulated during muscle differentiation, encoding a conserved 56-aa micropeptide named LEMP.
- LEMP demonstrated pro-myogenic activity, promoting muscle formation and regeneration in mice.
- LEMP is essential for zebrafish muscle development, with its absence causing defects that are rescued by mouse LEMP expression.
- LEMP localizes to the plasma membrane and mitochondria, interacting with mitochondrial proteins.
Conclusions:
- Uncovered an evolutionarily conserved micropeptide, LEMP, with critical roles in skeletal muscle differentiation and regeneration.
- Demonstrated the functional importance of micropeptides in myogenesis across vertebrate species.
- Highlighted LEMP's potential involvement in mitochondrial function during muscle development.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Formation of Muscle Fibers from Myoblasts
5.6K
De novo myogenesis, or the formation of muscle fibers, begins during the early embryonic stages. The skeletal muscle is formed from somites– blocks of embryonic cell layers. The somites are further divided into dermatomes, myotomes, sclerotomes, and syndetomes. Among these, the myotomes give rise to muscle fibers.
Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) are formed from the myotomes. MPCs express genes that encode the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7. Along with Pax 3/7, other transcription...
Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) are formed from the myotomes. MPCs express genes that encode the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7. Along with Pax 3/7, other transcription...
5.6K
01:19Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
11.6K
Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
11.6K
01:26Bacterial Protein Maturation
356
Bacterial protein maturation is a tightly regulated process that ensures newly synthesized polypeptides achieve correct functional conformations. This maturation involves a series of modifications, folding events, and quality control steps, often assisted by specialized chaperone proteins.N-Terminal ModificationsThe maturation of bacterial polypeptides begins cotranslationally as the polypeptide exits the ribosome. The first amino acid, N-formylmethionine (fMet), is typically modified at the...
356
01:23Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM
3.1K
Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of proteins and glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix. MMPs are essential for the migration and proliferation of cells through the dense matrix network, throughout embryonic development, and throughout morphogenesis. The first MMP activity discovered was a collagenase in a tadpole's tail undergoing metamorphosis. The active collagen deposition and modifications lead to the morphogenesis of tadpoles into the adult...
3.1K
01:49Conserved Binding Sites
5.0K
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...
5.0K
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
7.6K
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
7.6K