Article
Virology
Nana Wang, Haiwei Wang, Jiabao Shi, Chen Li, Xinran Liu, Junhao Fan, Chao Sun, Craig E. Cameron, Hong Qi, Li Yu
Summary: Senecavirus A (SVA) is a picornavirus that causes vesicular disease in swine and is the only member of its genus. The IRES in SVA plays a crucial role in cap-independent translation. Studies have shown that the stem-loop I element in SVA's IRES is essential for IRES activity and viral replication.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zuben P. Brown, Irina S. Abaeva, Swastik De, Christopher U. T. Hellen, Tatyana Pestova, Joachim Frank
Summary: This study presents cryo-EM structures of hepatitis C virus IRES initiation complexes, revealing the dynamic network of 40S/IRES contacts and the conformational changes during the transition from eIF2- to eIF5B-containing 48S complexes, providing important insights into the process of subunit joining.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
You Li, Ichiro Misumi, Tomoyuki Shiota, Lu Sun, Erik M. Lenarcic, Hyejeong Kim, Takayoshi Shirasaki, Adriana Hertel-Wulff, Taylor Tibbs, Joseph E. Mitchell, Kevin L. McKnight, Craig E. Cameron, Nathaniel J. Moorman, David R. McGivern, John M. Cullen, Jason K. Whitmire, Stanley M. Lemon
Summary: Despite the availability of effective vaccines, recent outbreaks of hepatitis A in the United States have led to numerous hospitalizations and deaths. This study reveals the importance of ZCCHC14 and TENT4A/B in viral RNA synthesis and suggests that inhibitors of TENT4A/B could be useful in preventing or treating hepatitis A in humans.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Prakash Amruth Raj Chukka, Stacey D. Wetmore, Nehal Thakor
Summary: Translational control plays a crucial role in dictating gene expression and altering physiological processes in eukaryotic cells. eIF5B plays a significant role in this process, especially in the survival and drug resistance of cancer cells.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Review
Virology
Brenda Lopez-Ulloa, Yazmin Fuentes, Magdalena S. Pizarro-Ortega, Marcelo Lopez-Lastra
Summary: In this review, we discuss vRNA IRES-mediated translation initiation, highlighting the role of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), other than the canonical translation initiation factors, in regulating their activity.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gregory Mathez, Valeria Cagno
Summary: The majority of antivirals target viral proteins, but RNA is gaining attention as a new and promising antiviral target. This article discusses methods for identifying RNA-targeting compounds, including determination of RNA structures and in silico screening. It also reviews small molecules that target specific RNA elements in viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and HIV.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Shichong Han, Xiaojia Wang, Junyong Guan, Jinen Wu, Yun Zhang, Pinghua Li, Zaixin Liu, Sahibzada Waheed Abdullah, Zhihui Zhang, Ye Jin, Shiqi Sun, Huichen Guo
Summary: Nucleolin (NCL) is identified as a protein interacting with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) IRES and regulating translation of various IRES-containing viruses. NCL plays a substantial role in viral replication by directly regulating viral protein production and indirectly influencing FMDV RNA synthesis. The cytoplasmic relocalization of NCL during FMDV infection is crucial for viral IRES-driven translation, highlighting its importance as a potential target for antiviral interventions.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Virology
Azman Embarc-Buh, Rosario Francisco-Velilla, Encarnacion Martinez-Salas
Summary: Viral RNAs rely on host cells to complete their replication cycle, with host proteins playing critical roles in the infection process, and RNA architecture directly impacting virus multiplication and spreading.
Review
Cell Biology
Yudi Liu, Jiuwei Cui, Andrew R. Hoffman, Ji-Fan Hu
Summary: Protein translation is a critical regulatory event involved in various physiological and pathological processes. The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G2 (eIF4G2) is important for cap-independent translation initiation via internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs), but recent findings suggest that it plays a role in other translation initiation pathways as well. This review summarizes the role of eIF4G2 in different translation initiation events and its involvement in apoptosis, cell survival, cell differentiation, and embryonic development.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhaolian Lu, Zhenguo Lin
Summary: This study used the nAnT-iCAGE technique to identify TSSs in yeast species, revealing the origin and genetic mechanisms of the scanning model. It was found that the scanning model likely emerged after the split of certain yeast species, with an adenine-rich region aiding in TSS selection. Additionally, both the scanning and classic models showed a strong preference for pyrimidine-purine dinucleotides surrounding the TSS.
Article
Microbiology
Shiv Kumar, Rohit Verma, Sandhini Saha, Ashish Kumar Agrahari, Shivangi Shukla, Oinam Ningthemmani Singh, Umang Berry, Tushar Kanti Maiti, Shailendra Asthana, C. T. Ranjith-Kumar, Milan Surjit
Summary: Multiple processes exist in a cell to ensure continuous production of essential proteins through different translation processes. Viruses have evolved strategies to use the host translation machinery for their protein synthesis. This study identifies the RNA-protein interactome of the HEV IRESl element and demonstrates the roles of ribosomal protein RPL5 and RNA helicase A (DHX9) in mediating HEV IRESl activity, establishing it as a bona fide internal translation initiation site.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emma Minnee, William James Faller
Summary: Protein synthesis is crucial in all kingdoms of life, and dysregulation can drive cancer development, as seen in colorectal cancer with translational reprogramming. Multiple signaling pathways impact the translation initiation machinery, playing a critical role in regulating gene expression differentially.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xinwen E. Zhu, Chiara Ricci-Tam, Emily Hager, Allyson Sgro
Summary: The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum serves as a model for various biological processes and can be genetically manipulated using transgenes. However, using separate promoters and terminators for each gene can result in large plasmid sizes and possible interference. To address this issue, researchers have utilized polycistronic expression mediated by 2A viral peptides. In this study, the most commonly used 2A peptides were screened in D. discoideum, and it was found that all the screened sequences were effective. P2A was identified as the optimal sequence for polycistronic expression in D. discoideum, opening up new possibilities for genetic engineering in this model system.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dorian Farache, Luochen Liu, Amy S. Y. Lee
Summary: Translation factors play a crucial role in protein synthesis regulation. This study reveals that eIF5A2, a member of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A family, functions differently from eIF5A1. It is not involved in transcript-specific or global protein synthesis regulation, but instead regulates antiviral gene expression. Cells lacking eIF5A2 are more susceptible to virus infection. This research uncovers the functional distinction of eIF5A2 and provides an example of gene duplications resulting in proteins with distinct functions.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Alexis Bouin, Michelle N. Vu, Ali Al-Hakeem, Genevieve P. Tran, Joseph H. C. Nguyen, Bert L. Semler
Summary: Group B enteroviruses, including coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), can persistently infect cardiac tissue and cause dilated cardiomyopathy. 5' terminal deletions of viral genomic RNAs have been detected in persistently infected patients, and our study showed that these deletions decreased the levels of viral proteinase activity and synthesis of viral protein and RNA. However, a cooperative interaction was observed when full-length and terminally deleted forms were cotransfected into cardiomyocytes, leading to increased viral production.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jordi Agramunt, Enrique Pedroso, Silvia M. Kreda, Rudolph L. Juliano, Anna Grandas
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Moreno-Morcillo, Rosario Francisco-Velilla, Azman Embarc-Buh, Javier Fernandez-Chamorro, Santiago Ramon-Maiques, Encarna Martinez-Salas
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Jordi Agramunt, Rebecca Ginesi, Enrique Pedroso, Anna Grandas
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rosario Francisco-Velilla, Azman Embarc-Buh, Sergio Rangel-Guerrero, Sudipto Basu, Sudip Kundu, Encarnacion Martinez-Salas
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Encarnacion Martinez-Salas, Azman Embarc-Buh, Rosario Francisco-Velilla
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Miguel Rodriguez Pulido, Encarnacion Martinez-Salas, Francisco Sobrino, Margarita Saiz
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sergio Israel Rangel-Guerrero, Pablo Alberto Franco-Urquijo, Encarnacion Martinez-Salas, Luis Marat Alvarez-Salas
Summary: The study revealed the importance of the Let-7:LIN28 regulatory loop in miRNA regulation, investigated the binding differences between LIN28B and pre-let-7 members, and uncovered diverse structural patterns within the pre-let-7 family through SHAPE mapping.
NUCLEOSIDES NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Margarita Saiz, Encarnacion Martinez-Salas
Summary: RNA viruses have developed mechanisms to manipulate host RNA-binding proteins for their own gene expression. The L protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus cleaves translation initiation factors, challenging the definition of consensus sites for its targets. Identification of a motif centered on the RKAR sequence sheds light on potential L target sites in essential RNA-binding proteins.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Azman Embarc-Buh, Rosario Franscisco-Velilla, Sergio Camero, Jose Manuel Perez-Canadillas, Encarnacion Martinez-Salas
Summary: The study found that the RBS1 domain of Gemin5, although mostly unfolded in the presence of RNA, still retains RNA binding capability. Mutational analysis confirmed the presence of an evolutionarily conserved motif enriched in R, S, W, and H residues, which are necessary for promoting RNA-binding via pi-pi interactions.
Review
Virology
Azman Embarc-Buh, Rosario Francisco-Velilla, Encarnacion Martinez-Salas
Summary: Viral RNAs rely on host cells to complete their replication cycle, with host proteins playing critical roles in the infection process, and RNA architecture directly impacting virus multiplication and spreading.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rosario Francisco-Velilla, Azman Embarc-Buh, Salvador Abellan, Encarnacion Martinez-Salas
Summary: The genome of picornaviruses consists of a single RNA strand and relies on cellular machinery for replication. IRES elements in the genome control protein synthesis and subsequent replication steps. Recent studies show that these IRES elements have a modular structure and interact with ribosome subunits, eIFs, and RNA-binding proteins.
Article
Cell Biology
Deepa S. Rajan, Sukhleen Kour, Tyler R. Fortuna, Margot A. Cousin, Sarah S. Barnett, Zhiyv Niu, Dusica Babovic-Vuksanovic, Eric W. Klee, Brian Kirmse, Micheil Innes, Siri Lynne Rydning, Kaja K. Selmer, Magnus Dehli Vigeland, Anne Kjersti Erichsen, Andrea H. Nemeth, Francisca Millan, Catherine DeVile, Katherine Fawcett, Adrien Legendre, David Sims, Ricardo Parolin Schnekenberg, Lydie Burglen, Sandra Mercier, Somayeh Bakhtiari, Encarnacion Martinez-Salas, Kristen Wigby, Jerica Lenberg, Jennifer R. Friedman, Michael C. Kruer, Udai Bhan Pandey
Summary: This study discovered biallelic variants in the GEMIN5 gene among nine affected individuals, leading to abnormal protein structure and reduced expression of snRNP complex proteins. The research expands on the phenotypic spectrum associated with GEMIN5-related disease, providing insights into patients with spastic ataxia, cerebellar atrophy, and motor predominant developmental delay.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Rosario Francisco-Velilla, Azman Embarc-Buh, Francisco del Cano-Ochoa, Salvador Abellan, Marcal Vilar, Sara Alvarez, Alberto Fernandez-Jaen, Sukhleen Kour, Deepa S. Rajan, Udai Bhan Pandey, Santiago Ramon-Maiques, Encarnacion Martinez-Salas
Summary: Dysfunction of RNA-binding protein Gemin5 is associated with neurological disorders. This study identified functional and structural deficiencies associated with compound heterozygosity variants within the Gemin5 gene in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. These variants disrupt interactions with protein networks and ribosomes, affecting translation and RNA-driven pathways.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Azman Embarc-Buh, Rosario Francisco-Velilla, Juan Antonio Garcia-Martin, Salvador Abellan, Jorge Ramajo, Encarnacion Martinez-Salas
Summary: Selective translation is regulated by Gemin5, an RNA-binding protein involved in snRNP assembly. Gemin5 stimulates translation of specific mRNAs through interaction with unique cis-acting elements. Ribosomal and histone mRNAs, which contain specific regulatory elements, are enriched in polysomes and coprecipitate with Gemin5. Disruption of these regulatory elements impairs Gemin5-RNA interaction and translation. Therefore, Gemin5 plays a role in the translation of specific mRNA subsets encoding proteins involved in cellular processes.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)