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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Polysome Fractionation and Analysis of Mammalian Translatomes on a Genome-wide Scale
Published on: May 17, 2014
Translational profiles of alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and beta-globin messenger ribonucleic acids in human reticulocytes
Abstract:
In human reticulocytes, the critical balancing of alpha- and beta-globin synthesis may be controlled in part by differential translation of the three major adult globin messenger RNAs (mRNAs), alpha 1, alpha 2, and beta. In this study, we determined, as a parameter of translational efficiency, the relative ribosome loading of these three mRNAs. Using oligonucleotide probes specific for the alpha 1- and alpha 2-globin mRNAs, we find that these two mRNAs have identical translational profiles. Their distribution contrasts with that of beta-globin mRNA, which is present on heavier polyribosomes and is less prevalent in pre-80S messenger ribonucleoprotein fractions. The relative distribution of alpha- vs. beta-globin mRNA is consistent with more efficient beta-globin translation. In contrast, the parallel distributions of alpha 1- and alpha 2-globin mRNAs suggests they are translated with equal efficiencies. Considering the relative concentrations of the two alpha-globin mRNAs in normal reticulocytes, this result predicts a dominant role for the alpha 2-globin locus in human alpha-globin expression.
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Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
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Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
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