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Investigating the Function of Coronin A in the Early Starvation Response of Dictyostelium discoideum by Aggregation Assays
Published on: June 18, 2016
Translational control during early Dictyostelium development: possible involvement of poly(A) sequences
Cell
|April 1, 1984
Summary
Development in Dictyostelium discoideum is triggered by decreased mRNA translational efficiency. Shortening of the poly(A) tail on existing mRNA regulates protein synthesis patterns during this transition.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- During development, Dictyostelium discoideum exhibits a rapid decrease in the translational efficiency of vegetative mRNA.
- Newly synthesized mRNA, however, efficiently associates with polysomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism regulating differential mRNA translational efficiency during Dictyostelium discoideum development.
- To elucidate the role of poly(A) tail length in controlling protein synthesis patterns.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mRNA populations and their association with polysomes.
- Measurement of poly(A) tract length in different mRNA populations.
- Development of a regulatory model for protein synthesis.
Main Results:
- A rapid shortening of the poly(A) tract on preexisting mRNA correlates with the initiation of development.
- This poly(A) shortening discriminates between vegetative and developmental mRNA populations.
- A model proposing poly(A) length as a critical regulator of translational efficiency was developed.
Conclusions:
- Poly(A) tail length is a key factor in regulating protein synthesis patterns during Dictyostelium discoideum development.
- Transcriptional and translational controls are coupled via mRNA adenylation state.
- Significant shifts in protein synthesis can occur without complete mRNA degradation.
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