Identification of the iron-responsive element for the translational regulation of human ferritin mRNA

Regulated translation of messenger RNA offers an important mechanism for the control of gene expression. The biosynthesis of the intracellular iron storage protein ferritin is translationally regulated by iron. A cis-acting element that is both necessary and sufficient for this translational regulation is present within the 5' nontranslated leader region of the human ferritin H-chain messenger RNA. In this report the iron-responsive element (IRE) was identified by deletional analysis. Moreover, a synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide was shown to be able to transfer iron regulation to a construct that would otherwise not be able to respond to iron. The IRE has been highly conserved and predates the evolutionary segregation between amphibians, birds, and man. The IRE may prove to be useful for the design of translationally regulated expression systems.     

Oxidation-reduction and the molecular mechanism of a regulatory RNA-protein interaction

Iron-responsive elements (IREs) are RNA motifs that have been identified within the 5' untranslated region of ferritin messenger RNA and the 3' untranslated region of transferrin receptor mRNA. A single IRE mediates iron-dependent control of ferritin translation, whereas multiple IREs are found in the region of the transferrin receptor mRNA responsible for iron-dependent control of mRNA stability. A cytosolic protein binds in vitro to the IREs of both mRNAs. The IRE-binding protein (IRE-BP) is shown to require free sulfhydryl groups for its specific interaction with the IRE. Treatment of lysates with reducing agents increases the binding activity, whereas agents that block sulfhydryls inhibit binding. Iron starvation, leading to decreased ferritin translation, results in increased binding activity, which is explained by an increase in the fraction of the IRE-BP that is in a fully reduced state.     

Structure of dual function iron regulatory protein 1 complexed with ferritin IRE-RNA

Iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1) binds iron-responsive elements (IREs) in messenger RNAs (mRNAs), to repress translation or degradation, or binds an iron-sulfur cluster, to become a cytosolic aconitase enzyme. The 2.8 angstrom resolution crystal structure of the IRP1:ferritin H IRE complex shows an open protein conformation compared with that of cytosolic aconitase. The extended, L-shaped IRP1 molecule embraces the IRE stem-loop through interactions at two sites separated by approximately 30 angstroms, each involving about a dozen protein:RNA bonds. Extensive conformational changes related to binding the IRE or an iron-sulfur cluster explain the alternate functions of IRP1 as an mRNA regulator or enzyme.     

The structure of the eukaryotic ribosome at 3.0 Å resolution

Ribosomes translate genetic information encoded by messenger RNA into proteins. Many aspects of translation and its regulation are specific to eukaryotes, whose ribosomes are much larger and intricate than their bacterial counterparts. We report the crystal structure of the 80S ribosome from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae--including nearly all ribosomal RNA bases and protein side chains as well as an additional protein, Stm1--at a resolution of 3.0 angstroms. This atomic model reveals the architecture of eukaryote-specific elements and their interaction with the universally conserved core, and describes all eukaryote-specific bridges between the two ribosomal subunits. It forms the structural framework for the design and analysis of experiments that explore the eukaryotic translation apparatus and the evolutionary forces that shaped it.     

Divergent regulation of dihydrofolate reductase between malaria parasite and human host

For half a century, successful antifolate therapy against Plasmodium falciparum malaria has been attributed to host-parasite differences in drug binding to dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS). Selectivity may also arise through previously unappreciated differences in regulation of this drug target. The DHFR-TS of Plasmodium binds its cognate messenger RNA (mRNA) and inhibits its own translation. However, unlike translational regulation of DHFR or TS in humans, DHFR-TS mRNA binding is not coupled to enzyme active sites. Thus, antifolate treatment does not relieve translational inhibition and parasites cannot replenish dead enzyme.     

A cytosolic iron chaperone that delivers iron to ferritin

Ferritins are the main iron storage proteins found in animals, plants, and bacteria. The capacity to store iron in ferritin is essential for life in mammals, but the mechanism by which cytosolic iron is delivered to ferritin is unknown. Human ferritins expressed in yeast contain little iron. Human poly (rC)-binding protein 1 (PCBP1) increased the amount of iron loaded into ferritin when expressed in yeast. PCBP1 bound to ferritin in vivo and bound iron and facilitated iron loading into ferritin in vitro. Depletion of PCBP1 in human cells inhibited ferritin iron loading and increased cytosolic iron pools. Thus, PCBP1 can function as a cytosolic iron chaperone in the delivery of iron to ferritin.     

缢蛏铁蛋白基因的分子特性及其表达分析

从缢蛏(Sinonovacula constricta)cDNA文库中筛选出一条铁蛋白同源序列,直接扩增质粒获得全长cDNA序列,共1 106 bp,包括128 bp的5’非翻译区和309 bp的3’非翻译区,以及669 bp的开放阅读框。阅读框共编码222个氨基酸,N端含有17个氨基酸的信号肽序列,推算的分子量约为25.47 ku,理论等电点为5.48。氨基酸序列分析结果表明,该基因含有保守的铁氧化酶活性中心的7个氨基酸残基,但是不具有糖基化位点(NQS)和5’非编码区铁蛋白的铁反应元件(iron response element,IRE),属于H型铁蛋白基因,该基因被命名为ScFERs。系统进化显示,基本上同一个物种的不同亚型铁蛋白首先聚在一起,然后和其他物种的铁蛋白聚在一起。缢蛏ScFERs首先与日本花棘石鳖(Liolophura japonica)LjFERs聚在一起,然后与缢蛏另一种ScFER以及文蛤(Meretrix meretrix)MmFERs聚在一起。荧光定量PCR检测结果显示ScFERs基因在肝胰腺中高度表达,肝胰腺与其它组织间的表达量存在着极显著差异。经鳗弧菌(Vibrioanguillarum)和副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)诱导后,ScFERs基因表达水平呈显著上调。为进一步研究缢蛏铁蛋白基因的结构和功能奠定了基础。     

植物铁蛋白与植物发育

植物铁蛋白是一类铁贮存蛋白,可以贮藏可溶、无毒和生物体可以利用形式的铁.简要介绍了植物铁蛋白在植物发育方面的作用.     

Proapoptotic BAX and BAK modulate the unfolded protein response by a direct interaction with IRE1alpha

Accumulation of misfolded protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) triggers an adaptive stress response-termed the unfolded protein response (UPR)-mediated by the ER transmembrane protein kinase and endoribonuclease inositol-requiring enzyme-1alpha (IRE1alpha). We investigated UPR signaling events in mice in the absence of the proapoptotic BCL-2 family members BAX and BAK [double knockout (DKO)]. DKO mice responded abnormally to tunicamycin-induced ER stress in the liver, with extensive tissue damage and decreased expression of the IRE1 substrate X-box-binding protein 1 and its target genes. ER-stressed DKO cells showed deficient IRE1alpha signaling. BAX and BAK formed a protein complex with the cytosolic domain of IRE1alpha that was essential for IRE1alpha activation. Thus, BAX and BAK function at the ER membrane to activate IRE1alpha signaling and to provide a physical link between members of the core apoptotic pathway and the UPR.     

氨基酸对蛋白质翻译起始因子的调控

氨基酸既是蛋白质合成的底物又是细胞内信号传导通路的调节物。综述了蛋白质翻译起始过程、氨基酸在翻译起始Met-tRNAi结合阶段和mRNA结合阶段的调节及氨基酸调节蛋白翻译起始的信号传导机制。     

细菌转录调控蛋白CarD的研究进展

微生物为适应各种多变的环境,需要通过严紧反应调控rRNA基因的转录表达。细菌CarD含有DNA结合的C端结构域和RNA聚合酶相互作用的N端结构域,作为一种全局调控蛋白,参与多种细胞生理代谢过程,在调控核糖体rRNA转录中发挥着重要的作用。从细菌CarD的蛋白结构、同源蛋白及调控方式等研究进展进行了概述,探讨了CarD蛋白的功能及其调控rRNA转录表达的分子作用机制,以期为相关研究提供参考。     

Crystal structure of an early protein-RNA assembly complex of the signal recognition particle

The signal recognition particle (SRP) is a universally conserved ribonucleoprotein complex that mediates the cotranslational targeting of secretory and membrane proteins to cellular membranes. A crucial early step in SRP assembly in archaea and eukarya is the binding of protein SRP19 to specific sites on SRP RNA. Here we report the 1.8 angstrom resolution crystal structure of human SRP19 in complex with its primary binding site on helix 6 of SRP RNA, which consists of a stem-loop structure closed by an unusual GGAG tetraloop. Protein-RNA interactions are mediated by the specific recognition of a widened major groove and the tetraloop without any direct protein-base contacts and include a complex network of highly ordered water molecules. A model of the assembly of the SRP core comprising SRP19, SRP54, and SRP RNA based on crystallographic and biochemical data is proposed.