Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Xenopus laevis as a Model to Identify Translation Impairment
10:24

Xenopus laevis as a Model to Identify Translation Impairment

Published on: September 27, 2015

10.8K

[Dynamics of Eukaryotic mRNA Structure during Translation]

N S Biziaev1, T V Egorova1,2, E Z Alkalaeva1,2,3

  • 1Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991 Russia.

Molekuliarnaia Biologiia
|May 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The spatial structure of messenger RNA (mRNA) during translation is not fixed. Its dynamic, changing shape influences protein synthesis activity, challenging previous universal models.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The spatial arrangement of messenger RNA (mRNA) during translation is a complex and debated topic.
  • Proteins at the 5' and 3' ends of mRNA interact, influencing protein activity.
  • The closed-loop mRNA structure hypothesis suggested ends are close for translation, but this is not always required.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review experimental data and concepts on mRNA spatial structure and translation.
  • To explore the dynamic nature of mRNA conformation during protein synthesis.
  • To discuss the relationship between mRNA structure and its functional activity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of experimental data.
  • Synthesis of existing concepts and hypotheses.
  • Analysis of studies on mRNA-protein interactions.

Main Results:

  • No single optimal mRNA spatial structure exists for translation.
  • mRNA can adopt various conformations, including linear and potentially circular structures.
  • The dynamic spatial structure of mRNA directly impacts its translational efficiency and protein production.

Conclusions:

  • Translating mRNA structure is not universal and can change dynamically.
  • mRNA conformation plays a crucial role in regulating translational activity.
  • Future research should consider the dynamic nature of mRNA structure in biological contexts.
Keywords:
PABPclosed-loop mRNAeIF4FmRNAribosometranslationtranslational control

More Related Videos

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs10:37

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs

Published on: May 10, 2018

12.7K
Polysome Fractionation and Analysis of Mammalian Translatomes on a Genome-wide Scale10:56

Polysome Fractionation and Analysis of Mammalian Translatomes on a Genome-wide Scale

Published on: May 17, 2014

68.9K

Related Concept Videos

Initiation of Translation02:33

Initiation of Translation

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.
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
34.6K
Improving Translational Accuracy02:07

Improving Translational Accuracy

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...
11.9K
Translation in Prokaryotes01:29

Translation in Prokaryotes

Prokaryote translation is a complex, highly coordinated process that converts genetic information from mRNA into functional proteins. It involves three stages: initiation, elongation, and termination, each facilitated by specific molecular components.Initiation of TranslationThe process begins with the assembly of the ribosomal subunits and initiation factors on the mRNA. In bacteria, the 30S ribosomal subunit recognizes the Shine-Dalgarno sequence in the mRNA, a conserved region upstream of...
235
Regulated mRNA Transport02:22

Regulated mRNA Transport

In eukaryotes, transcription and translation are compartmentalized; an mRNA is first synthesized in the nucleus and then selectively transported to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis. Before transport, a pre-mRNA undergoes several steps of post-transcriptional modifications including splicing, 5' capping, and the addition of a poly-adenine tail. Various proteins bind to the pre-mRNA during these modifications. The mRNA transport takes place with the help of multiple proteins playing...
6.5K
Termination of Translation01:44

Termination of Translation

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...
25.8K
RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

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...
34.0K