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Moonlighting genes harbor antisense ORFs that encode potential membrane proteins
Kasman E Thomas1, Paul A Gagniuc2, Elvira Gagniuc1,3
1Synevovet Laboratory, Bucharest, Romania.
Scientific Reports
|August 3, 2023
Summary
Moonlighting genes, which perform multiple functions, may be identified by their antisense translation potential. These genes often associate with cell envelope production, suggesting a mechanism for protein escape.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Moonlighting genes encode single proteins with multiple, diverse functions.
- Their prevalence across life forms raises questions about their evolution and cellular roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a bioinformatics probe to identify moonlighting genes.
- To investigate the characteristics and cellular localization of moonlighting genes.
Main Methods:
- Developed a bioinformatics probe to rank genes by antisense translation potential.
- Analyzed moonlighting genes for codon usage and genomic co-localization.
Main Results:
- The probe reliably enriched for moonlighting genes across various organisms.
- Moonlighting genes contain antisense open reading frames (ORFs) with non-polar amino acid codons.
- Moonlighting genes often co-locate with genes involved in cell envelope synthesis.
Conclusions:
- A model is proposed where moonlighting proteins may escape the cell via cell wall/membrane construction sites.
- Antisense ORFs may facilitate binding to the cell membrane, promoting protein export.
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