Structural roles for human translation factor eIF3 in initiation of protein synthesis

Protein synthesis in mammalian cells requires initiation factor eIF3, a approximately 750-kilodalton complex that controls assembly of 40S ribosomal subunits on messenger RNAs (mRNAs) bearing either a 5'-cap or an internal ribosome entry site (IRES). Cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions show that eIF3, a five-lobed particle, interacts with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) IRES RNA and the 5'-cap binding complex eIF4F via the same domain. Detailed modeling of eIF3 and eIF4F onto the 40S ribosomal subunit reveals that eIF3 uses eIF4F or the HCV IRES in structurally similar ways to position the mRNA strand near the exit site of 40S, promoting initiation complex assembly.     

真核细胞翻译起始因子5A(eIF5A)研究进展

真核细胞翻译起始因子5A(eIF5A)是真菌、动植物体内普遍存在的蛋白质翻译起始因子。研究发现其不仅仅在部分蛋白质翻译起始中发挥作用,还在人体癌症发生、促进动植物细胞增殖、细胞衰老和死亡以及一些植物环境胁迫应答等方面都有一定的调控作用。进一步研究真核细胞翻译起始因子5A(eIF5A)的功能,对其生产实践中应用具有非常重要的意义。     

拟南芥翻译起始因子eIF5B-1调控种子萌发的分子机制

为明确eIF5B-1基因在拟南芥种子萌发过程中的生理作用。以拟南芥翻译起始因子的T-DNA插入突变体eif5b-1为材料。测定突变体eif5b-1种子的萌发速率,同时利用多聚核糖体谱和qRT-PCR的研究方法,对拟南芥野生型(WT)和eif5b-1突变体的萌发过程进行了研究。结果表明:1)eif5b-1突变体种子的萌发率下降;2)eif5b-1突变体种子萌发过程中多聚核糖体的形成受到影响;3)eif5b-1突变体中ABI1、ABI3、ABI4、ABI5及DOG1基因的转录受到影响;4)eif5b-1突变体选择性地影响ABI4和DOG1基因的翻译效率。     

Inhibition of translational initiation by Let-7 MicroRNA in human cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are approximately 21-nucleotide-long RNA molecules regulating gene expression in multicellular eukaryotes. In metazoa, miRNAs act by imperfectly base-pairing with the 3' untranslated region of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and repressing protein accumulation by an unknown mechanism. We demonstrate that endogenous let-7 microribonucleoproteins (miRNPs) or the tethering of Argonaute (Ago) proteins to reporter mRNAs in human cells inhibit translation initiation. M(7)G-cap-independent translation is not subject to repression, suggesting that miRNPs interfere with recognition of the cap. Repressed mRNAs, Ago proteins, and miRNAs were all found to accumulate in processing bodies. We propose that localization of mRNAs to these structures is a consequence of translational repression.     

A Burkholderia pseudomallei toxin inhibits helicase activity of translation factor eIF4A

The structure of BPSL1549, a protein of unknown function from Burkholderia pseudomallei, reveals a similarity to Escherichia coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1. We found that BPSL1549 acted as a potent cytotoxin against eukaryotic cells and was lethal when administered to mice. Expression levels of bpsl1549 correlate with conditions expected to promote or suppress pathogenicity. BPSL1549 promotes deamidation of glutamine-339 of the translation initiation factor eIF4A, abolishing its helicase activity and inhibiting translation. We propose to name BPSL1549 Burkholderia lethal factor 1.     

Efficient inhibition of the Alzheimer's disease beta-secretase by membrane targeting

beta-Secretase plays a critical role in beta-amyloid formation and thus provides a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease. Inhibitor design has usually focused on active-site binding, neglecting the subcellular localization of active enzyme. We have addressed this issue by synthesizing a membrane-anchored version of a beta-secretase transition-state inhibitor by linking it to a sterol moiety. Thus, we targeted the inhibitor to active beta-secretase found in endosomes and also reduced the dimensionality of the inhibitor, increasing its local membrane concentration. This inhibitor reduced enzyme activity much more efficiently than did the free inhibitor in cultured cells and in vivo. In addition to effectively targeting beta-secretase, this strategy could also be used in designing potent drugs against other membrane protein targets.     

番木瓜eIF4E突变基因的构建

真核翻译起始因子4E（eukaryotic translation initiation factor4E,eIF4E）的缺失或突变能影响病毒对植物的侵染,并介导植物对病毒产生抗性。已有研究证明,番木瓜环班病毒的VPg能与番木瓜elF4E（Cp－eIF4E）互作,在此基础上,笔者通过蛋白序列比对和同源建模分析,确定了6个突变位点,采用套叠PCR方法印Cp－eIF4E基因进行点突变,然后,将它们分别连接到酵母双杂交系统和双分子荧光互补系统两套表达载体上,为后续互作实验和抗病功能验证奠定基础。     

Heterodimeric GTPase core of the SRP targeting complex

Two structurally homologous guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) domains interact directly during signal recognition particle (SRP)-mediated cotranslational targeting of proteins to the membrane. The 2.05 angstrom structure of a complex of the NG GTPase domains of Ffh and FtsY reveals a remarkably symmetric heterodimer sequestering a composite active site that contains two bound nucleotides. The structure explains the coordinate activation of the two GTPases. Conformational changes coupled to formation of their extensive interface may function allosterically to signal formation of the targeting complex to the signal-sequence binding site and the translocon. We propose that the complex represents a molecular "latch" and that its disengagement is regulated by completion of assembly of the GTPase active site.     

Sequential translation of trinucleotide codons for the initiation and termination of protein synthesis

Terminal events in protein synthesis were studied with trinucleotide codons. Initiator and terminator trinucleotides sequentially stimulate N-formyl-methionyl-tRNA binding to ribosomes and the release of free N-formyl-methionine from the ribosomal intermediate. The release factor discovered by Capecchi is also required. The trinucleotides UGA, UAA, and UAG were found to be terminator codons. This pattern of codon degeneracy has not been observed with other trinucleotides and transfer RNA.     

从归化异化的视角解读纽马克的翻译理论

纽马克的翻译理论主要包括语篇功能类观点,语义和交际翻译,翻译关联法。异化、归化的思想始终贯穿于纽马克的翻译理论与实践。其语篇功能型学说体现了其异化归化的思想,语义和交际翻译是异化归化在语篇内语言层次上的体现,翻译关联法则动态地描述了异化归化策略在翻译过程中的选择。     

草莓microRNA的RT-PCR鉴定

 【目的】microRNAs（miRNAs）在植物的生长发育过程中起着重要作用,本研究旨在建立一种快速准确地鉴定草莓中保守miRNA的方法。【方法】以草莓叶片为试材,在利用改进的CTAB法成功富集小于150 bp的小分子RNA的基础之上,采用3′端加接头、5′端和3′端两端加接头、利用茎环等3种RT-PCR策略来检测鉴定草莓中保守miRNA,同时比较总核酸、总RNA和小分子RNA等不同种类的模板对利用茎环RT-PCR检测miRNA的影响。【结果】对于植物中20种miRNAs,通过3′端加接头方式鉴定出7种;通过两端加接头方式鉴定出1种;而利用茎环的方式鉴定出15种。分别以3种核酸为模板的茎环RT-PCR的扩增效果没有差异。【结论】总核酸的提取是最快速最简单的,因此,以总核酸为模板,利用茎环RT-PCR是鉴定植物中miRNA的最简便快速而有效的方法,这种方法的可行性已在苹果、葡萄等植物上得到验证。     

Drug-induced teratogenesis in vitro: inhibition of calcification by different tetracyclines

Inhibition of calcification in embryonic bone rudiments was studied in the presence of several tetracyclines at three different concentrations. Different criteria for calcification and different concentrations of tetracyclines yielded parallel results and showed significant differences in the inhibitory action of the various compounds. The clear-cut results indicate that the test-system that was developed may be useful for the comparison of various teratogens under simplified controllable conditions.     

Leukotriene C4 transport by the choroid plexus in vitro

Nanomolar concentrations of peptidoleukotrienes evoke sustained cerebral edema and arterial constriction. Peptidoleukotrienes are thus considered to play an important role in eliciting cerebral edema after cerebral ischemia and vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. It was hypothesized that the choroid plexus, the locus of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, might minimize the vasoactivity of locally generated or systemically derived leukotrienes by transporting leukotrienes from cerebrospinal fluid into the blood. Consistent with this hypothesis, leukotriene C4 in vitro was transported into and released from isolated rabbit choroid plexus by a system that was specific, energy-dependent, probenecid-sensitive, and depressed by cold temperatures. The accumulation of leukotriene C4 in the choroid plexus was not dependent on tissue binding or metabolism of leukotriene C4.     

Histamine synthesis in man: inhibition by 4-bromo-3-hydroxybenzyloxyamine

Oral administration of 4-bromo-3-hydroxybenzyloxyamine to normal humans resulted in decreased urinary excretion of histamine; the normal increase in urinary levels of histamine after oral histidine loading was prevented. In two patients having systemic mastocytosis, additional evidence of inhibition of biosynthesis of histamine included marked reduction in symptoms attributed to histamine, and prevention of symptomatic exacerbation associated with histidine loading.     

Crystal structure of the eukaryotic 60S ribosomal subunit in complex with initiation factor 6

Protein synthesis in all organisms is catalyzed by ribosomes. In comparison to their prokaryotic counterparts, eukaryotic ribosomes are considerably larger and are subject to more complex regulation. The large ribosomal subunit (60S) catalyzes peptide bond formation and contains the nascent polypeptide exit tunnel. We present the structure of the 60S ribosomal subunit from Tetrahymena thermophila in complex with eukaryotic initiation factor 6 (eIF6), cocrystallized with the antibiotic cycloheximide (a eukaryotic-specific inhibitor of protein synthesis), at a resolution of 3.5 angstroms. The structure illustrates the complex functional architecture of the eukaryotic 60S subunit, which comprises an intricate network of interactions between eukaryotic-specific ribosomal protein features and RNA expansion segments. It reveals the roles of eukaryotic ribosomal protein elements in the stabilization of the active site and the extent of eukaryotic-specific differences in other functional regions of the subunit. Furthermore, it elucidates the molecular basis of the interaction with eIF6 and provides a structural framework for further studies of ribosome-associated diseases and the role of the 60S subunit in the initiation of protein synthesis.     

Crystal structure of the eukaryotic 40S ribosomal subunit in complex with initiation factor 1

Eukaryotic ribosomes are substantially larger and more complex than their bacterial counterparts. Although their core function is conserved, bacterial and eukaryotic protein synthesis differ considerably at the level of initiation. The eukaryotic small ribosomal subunit (40S) plays a central role in this process; it binds initiation factors that facilitate scanning of messenger RNAs and initiation of protein synthesis. We have determined the crystal structure of the Tetrahymena thermophila 40S ribosomal subunit in complex with eukaryotic initiation factor 1 (eIF1) at a resolution of 3.9 angstroms. The structure reveals the fold of the entire 18S ribosomal RNA and of all ribosomal proteins of the 40S subunit, and defines the interactions with eIF1. It provides insights into the eukaryotic-specific aspects of protein synthesis, including the function of eIF1 as well as signaling and regulation mediated by the ribosomal proteins RACK1 and rpS6e.