Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Cell Based Assays of SINEUP Non-coding RNAs That Can Specifically Enhance mRNA Translation
Published on: February 1, 2019
A B1 SINE element within the mouse Malat1 long noncoding RNA acts as an internal ribosome entry site mediating
Wen Xiao1, Tanja Hann2, Zion Perry2
1Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Abstract:
In most cells, Malat1 long noncoding RNA localizes to the nucleus where it affects splicing and chromatin function. In mouse neurons, Malat1 is exported to the cytoplasm where it is translated to generate the M1 micropeptide. Here, we characterize an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) required for M1 translation that is sufficient to induce cap-independent expression of a downstream open reading frame. In vivo chemical probing and structural modeling defined a three-stem-loop RNA secondary structure that encompasses the active IRES segment and coincides with a mouse B1 SINE (short interspersed element) repetitive element. In affinity purification experiments, a minimal IRES/B1 RNA selectively bound ribosomal subunits, translation factors, and the known IRES cofactors Rack1 and hnRNP A2/B1. Depletion of Rack1 and hnRNP A2/B1 inhibited IRES-dependent translation of the reporter and expression of the endogenous M1 peptide. Our study identifies an unexpected functional unit hidden within a widely studied long noncoding RNA.
Related Concept Videos
Leaky Scanning
Initiation of Translation
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
Initiation of Translation
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
Translational Regulation
Non-LTR Retrotransposons
Nucleic Acid Structure
DNA Structure
DNA has a double-helix structure. The...

