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Related Concept Videos

Nuclear Export of mRNA02:31

Nuclear Export of mRNA

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Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
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Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay02:27

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The Upf proteins that carry out nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) are found in all eukaryotic organisms, including humans. Each protein has an individual role, but they need to work in collaboration. Upf1 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that unwinds the RNA helix. Because Upf1 can unwind any RNA, Upf2 and Upf3 are required to help Upf1 discriminate between nonsense and normal mRNAs.
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RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

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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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RNA Editing02:23

RNA Editing

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RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification where a precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) nucleotide sequence is changed by base insertion, deletion, or modification. The extent of RNA editing varies from a few hundred bases, in mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomes, to a just single base, in nuclear genes of mammals. Even a single base change in the pre-mRNA can convert a codon for one amino acid into the codon for another amino acid or a stop codon. This type of re-coding can significantly affect the...
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Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing02:41

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In eukaryotic cells, nascent mRNA transcripts need to undergo many post-transcriptional modifications to reach the cell cytoplasm and translate into functional proteins. For a long time, transcription and pre-mRNA processing were considered two independent events that occur sequentially in the cell. However, it has now been well established that transcription and pre-mRNA processing are two simultaneous processes that are precisely regulated inside the cell.
The chromatin structure, especially...
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Alternative RNA Splicing02:18

Alternative RNA Splicing

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Alternative RNA splicing is the regulated splicing of exons and introns to produce different mature mRNAs from a single pre-mRNA. Unlike in constitutive splicing where a single gene produces a single type of mRNA, alternative splicing allows an organism to produce multiple proteins from a single gene and plays an important role in protein diversity.
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Updated: Jul 23, 2025

Optogenetic Phase Transition of TDP-43 in Spinal Motor Neurons of Zebrafish Larvae
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Optogenetic Phase Transition of TDP-43 in Spinal Motor Neurons of Zebrafish Larvae

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Selective neuronal vulnerability to deficits in RNA processing.

Gabrielle Zuniga1, Bess Frost1

  • 1Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.

Progress in Neurobiology
|July 16, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Errors in RNA processing contribute to neurodegeneration. Neurons are particularly vulnerable due to increased processing demands and poor clearance of faulty RNA, with tau protein exacerbating these deficits.

Keywords:
AgingAlzheimer’s diseaseBrainNeurodegenerationNeuronRNATau

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Characterizing RNA Modifications in Single Neurons Using Mass Spectrometry
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Errors in RNA processing are increasingly linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Neurons possess complex RNA processing needs for synaptic plasticity, increasing susceptibility to errors.
  • Existing cellular defenses against misprocessed RNA may be insufficient in neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence on neuronal vulnerability to RNA processing errors.
  • To explore the role of tau protein in RNA processing and clearance deficits.
  • To highlight the implications for neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of emerging evidence on RNA processing and neurodegeneration.
  • Analysis of studies investigating neuronal RNA processing pathways.
  • Examination of the link between tau pathology and RNA metabolism.

Main Results:

  • Neurons exhibit a higher propensity for RNA processing errors compared to other cell types.
  • Neurons demonstrate inadequate mechanisms for clearing misprocessed RNA.
  • Tau protein is implicated in exacerbating RNA processing and clearance deficiencies.

Conclusions:

  • Deficits in RNA processing and clearance are significant contributors to neurodegeneration.
  • The unique demands of neuronal function increase vulnerability to RNA processing errors.
  • Tau pathology may play a critical role in neurodegenerative conditions by impairing RNA quality control.