Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 12, 2025
12:29
mRNA Interactome Capture from Plant Protoplasts
Published on: July 28, 2017
9.2K
Ribosome biogenesis in plants requires the nuclear envelope and mitochondria localized OPENER complex
Wei Wang1,2, Amir Mahboubi3, Shaochun Zhu4
1Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183, Umeå, Sweden. wangwei@yzwlab.cn.
Nature Communications
|August 7, 2025
Summary
The OPENER (OPNR) protein complex is essential for 60S ribosome assembly in Arabidopsis plants. This complex, found on the nuclear envelope and mitochondria, ensures proper translation capacity.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Plant Science
Background:
- Eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis is a complex, conserved process.
- Emerging differences in ribosome assembly exist between eukaryotic kingdoms.
- Assembly factors guide ribosome production from the nucleolus to the cytosol.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the OPENER (OPNR) protein complex in plant ribosome biogenesis.
- To elucidate the composition and function of the OPNR complex in Arabidopsis thaliana.
- To understand the subcellular localization and impact of OPNR complex depletion.
Main Methods:
- Depletion of OPNR complex components.
- Biochemical analyses.
- Structural modeling.
- Subcellular localization studies.
Main Results:
- The OPNR complex is crucial for 60S ribosome assembly in plants.
- OPNR, OAP1, and OAP2 form a trimer that binds RIBOSOMAL PROTEIN L24C (RPL24C).
- Depletion leads to reproductive lethality and cytoplasmic retention of assembly factors.
- The OPNR complex localizes to the nuclear envelope and mitochondria.
Conclusions:
- The OPNR complex plays a vital role in plant 60S ribosome assembly.
- Mitochondrial association of the OPNR complex may ensure adequate translational capacity.
- This study reveals novel subcellular complexity in plant ribosome biogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Porin Insertion in the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane
3.3K
Porins are beta-barrel proteins translocated to the mitochondrial outer membrane through the TOM complex into the intermembrane space. Porin precursors bind TIM chaperones within the intermembrane space and are guided to the Sorting and Assembly Machinery complex or SAM complex on the outer mitochondrial membrane.
Three models describe the assembly of porins by the SAM complex and their insertion into the outer membrane. Model 1 suggests that porins are assembled outside the SAM channel as the...
Three models describe the assembly of porins by the SAM complex and their insertion into the outer membrane. Model 1 suggests that porins are assembled outside the SAM channel as the...
3.3K
02:53Ribosomal RNA Synthesis
13.5K
Ribosome synthesis is a highly complex and coordinated process involving more than 200 assembly factors. The synthesis and processing of ribosomal components occurs not only in the nucleolus but also in the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
13.5K
01:27Ribosomes
8.2K
Ribosomes translate genetic information encoded by messenger RNA (mRNA) into proteins. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have ribosomes. Cells that synthesize large quantities of protein—such as secretory cells in the human pancreas—can contain millions of ribosomes.
Ribosome Structure and Assembly
Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins. In eukaryotes, rRNA is transcribed from genes in the nucleolus—a part of the nucleus that specializes in ribosome...
Ribosome Structure and Assembly
Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins. In eukaryotes, rRNA is transcribed from genes in the nucleolus—a part of the nucleus that specializes in ribosome...
8.2K
01:21Structure of Porins
3.2K
Mitochondria, chloroplasts, and gram-negative bacteria have transmembrane, beta-barrel proteins called porins to mediate the free diffusion of ions and metabolites across the membrane. Mitochondrial porin precursors contain conserved amino acid sequences called beta signals at their C-terminal. Beta signals have a motif of PoXGXXHyXHy (Po-Polar, X-Any amino acid, G-Glycine, Hy-LargeHydrophobic), which are crucial for precursor recognition to initiate precursor assembly. Beta-barrel...
3.2K
01:56Riboswitches
8.5K
Riboswitches are non-coding mRNA domains that regulate the transcription and translation of downstream genes without the help of proteins. Riboswitches bind directly to a metabolite and can form unique stem-loop or hairpin structures in response to the amount of the metabolite present. They have two distinct regions – a metabolite-binding aptamer and an expression platform.
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
8.5K
02:31Nuclear Export of mRNA
7.9K
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...
7.9K