RPL3L-containing ribosomes determine translation elongation dynamics required for cardiac function

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Physiology

Background:

• Tissue-specific expression of ribosomal protein paralogs is known.
• The functional impact of these paralogs on translation remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of ribosomal protein RPL3L in muscle tissue.
• To elucidate how RPL3L influences translation and cardiac function.

Main Methods:

• Utilized RPL3L knockout mouse models.
• Analyzed ribosome occupancy and translation elongation dynamics.
• Compared RPL3L-containing and canonical ribosomes.

Main Results:

• RPL3L deficiency in mice impaired cardiac contractility.
• Altered ribosome occupancy and translation elongation dynamics were observed in RPL3L-deficient hearts.
• RPL3L-containing ribosomes showed fewer collisions than canonical ribosomes.
• Transcriptome-wide translation changes were most significant for cardiac-related genes.

Conclusions:

• RPL3L plays a critical role in regulating translation elongation in cardiac and skeletal muscle.
• RPL3L deficiency impacts cardiac function through altered protein synthesis.
• These findings offer insights into tissue-specific translational regulation and its physiological relevance.