Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs
10:37

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs

Published on: May 10, 2018

A moonlighting metabolic enzyme shines light on translation initiation

Vivian Lobo1, Kathrin Leppek1

  • 1Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, Biomedical Center II (BMZ II), Venusberg-Campus 1, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.

Developmental Cell
|July 8, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The enzyme Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS) regulates gene expression by binding RNA. This study reveals P5CS inhibits cancer-promoting oncogene translation by blocking essential protein assembly.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Gene Regulation

Background:

  • Metabolic enzymes can regulate gene expression through RNA binding.
  • The specific functions of most enzyme-RNA interactions are not well understood.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for deciphering complex cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the RNA-binding functions of metabolic enzymes.
  • To elucidate the role of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS) in gene regulation.
  • To determine how P5CS affects oncogene translation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of enzyme-RNA interactions.
  • Investigating the impact of P5CS on mRNA translation.
  • Studying the pre-initiation complex assembly during translation.

Main Results:

  • The proline biosynthesis enzyme P5CS binds to RNA.
  • P5CS inhibits the translation of specific oncogenes.
  • This inhibition occurs by blocking the assembly of the pre-initiation complex.

Conclusions:

  • P5CS possesses a dual role as a metabolic enzyme and a gene regulator.
  • P5CS acts as a novel inhibitor of oncogene translation.
  • The findings shed light on enzyme moonlighting and its implications in cancer biology.

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