-
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jan 2015The metabolic roles for L-leucine, an essential branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), go far beyond serving exclusively as a building block for de novo protein synthesis.... (Review)
Review
The metabolic roles for L-leucine, an essential branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), go far beyond serving exclusively as a building block for de novo protein synthesis. Growing evidence shows that leucine regulates protein and lipid metabolism in animals. Specifically, leucine activates the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, including the 70 kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) and eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1) to stimulate protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue and to promote mitochondrial biogenesis, resulting in enhanced cellular respiration and energy partitioning. Activation of cellular energy metabolism favors fatty acid oxidation to CO2 and water in adipocytes, lean tissue gain in young animals, and alleviation of muscle protein loss in aging adults, lactating mammals, and food-deprived subjects. As a functional amino acid, leucine holds great promise to enhance the growth, efficiency of food utilization, and health of animals and humans.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Animals; Energy Metabolism; Humans; Leucine; Muscle, Skeletal; Protein Biosynthesis
PubMed: 25553480
DOI: 10.2741/4338 -
Nature Biotechnology Oct 2018
Topics: Escherichia coli; Protein Biosynthesis; RNA, Messenger
PubMed: 30307923
DOI: 10.1038/nbt.4257 -
Current Opinion in Plant Biology Oct 2023Transposons are mobile DNA sequences that can move within the genome and integrate in new genomic locations. They are widespread in eukaryotes and prokaryotes and can... (Review)
Review
Transposons are mobile DNA sequences that can move within the genome and integrate in new genomic locations. They are widespread in eukaryotes and prokaryotes and can influence gene expression when landing within or nearby a gene. Although transposon-induced regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional level has been extensively studied, there has been less focus on regulation at the post-transcriptional and translational levels. Recent studies in maize (Zea mays) and other plant species suggest that transposon insertions can affect RNA processing, RNA stability, protein translation and protein stability. We will describe the diverse mechanisms by which transposons can influence gene expression at the post-transcriptional and translational levels, and discuss the interactions between these mechanisms.
Topics: Genes, Plant; Genomics; Protein Biosynthesis; RNA Stability; Zea mays
PubMed: 37619514
DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2023.102438 -
Biochemical Society Transactions Dec 2015In multicellular organisms, the epithelia is a contact surface with the surrounding environment and is exposed to a variety of adverse biotic (pathogenic) and abiotic... (Review)
Review
In multicellular organisms, the epithelia is a contact surface with the surrounding environment and is exposed to a variety of adverse biotic (pathogenic) and abiotic (chemical) factors. Multi-layered pathways that operate on different time scales have evolved to preserve cellular integrity and elicit stress-specific response. Several stress-response programs are activated until a complete elimination of the stress is achieved. The innate immune response, which is triggered by pathogenic invasion, is rather harmful when active over a prolonged time, thus the response follows characteristic oscillatory trajectories. Here, we review different translation programs that function to precisely fine-tune the time at which various components of the innate immune response dwell between active and inactive. We discuss how different pro-inflammatory pathways are co-ordinated to temporally offset single reactions and to achieve an optimal balance between fighting pathogens and being less harmful for healthy cells.
Topics: Adaptive Immunity; Animals; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Inflammation Mediators; Interferon-gamma; Models, Genetic; Models, Immunological; Protein Biosynthesis; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 26614668
DOI: 10.1042/BST20150166 -
Free Radical Biology & Medicine Dec 2014Protein turnover reflects the balance between synthesis and degradation of proteins, and it is a crucial process for the maintenance of the cellular protein pool. The... (Review)
Review
Protein turnover reflects the balance between synthesis and degradation of proteins, and it is a crucial process for the maintenance of the cellular protein pool. The folding of proteins, refolding of misfolded proteins, and also degradation of misfolded and damaged proteins are involved in the protein quality control (PQC) system. Correct protein folding and degradation are controlled by many different factors, one of the most important of which is the heat shock protein family. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are in the class of molecular chaperones, which may prevent the inappropriate interaction of proteins and induce correct folding. On the other hand, these proteins play significant roles in the degradation pathways, including endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD), the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and autophagy. This review focuses on the emerging role of HSPs in the regulation of protein turnover; the effects of HSPs on the degradation machineries ERAD, autophagy, and proteasome; as well as the role of posttranslational modifications in the PQC system.
Topics: Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation; Heat-Shock Proteins; Humans; Lysosomes; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Protein Biosynthesis; Proteins; Proteolysis; Ubiquitination
PubMed: 25236750
DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.08.012 -
Nature Cell Biology May 2019A diverse catalog of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which lack protein-coding potential, are transcribed from the mammalian genome. They are emerging as important... (Review)
Review
A diverse catalog of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which lack protein-coding potential, are transcribed from the mammalian genome. They are emerging as important regulators in gene expression networks by controlling nuclear architecture and transcription in the nucleus and by modulating mRNA stability, translation and post-translational modifications in the cytoplasm. In this Review, we highlight recent progress in cellular functions of lncRNAs at the molecular level in mammalian cells.
Topics: Animals; Cell Physiological Phenomena; Gene Regulatory Networks; Genome; Humans; Protein Biosynthesis; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; RNA Stability; RNA, Long Noncoding
PubMed: 31048766
DOI: 10.1038/s41556-019-0311-8 -
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology May 2017Androgens significantly alter muscle mass in part by shifting protein balance in favor of net protein accretion. During various atrophic conditions, the clinical impact... (Review)
Review
Androgens significantly alter muscle mass in part by shifting protein balance in favor of net protein accretion. During various atrophic conditions, the clinical impact of decreased production or bioavailability of androgens (termed hypogonadism) is important as a loss of muscle mass is intimately linked with survival outcome. While androgen replacement therapy increases muscle mass in part by restoring protein balance, this is not a comprehensive treatment option due to potential side effects. Therefore, an understanding of the mechanisms by which androgens alter protein balance is needed for the development of androgen-independent therapies. While the data in humans suggest androgens alter protein balance (both synthesis and breakdown) in the fasted metabolic state, a predominant molecular mechanism(s) behind this observation is still lacking. This failure is likely due in part to inconsistent experimental design between studies including failure to control nutrient/feeding status, the method of altering androgens, and the model systems utilized.
Topics: Androgens; Animals; Humans; Models, Biological; Muscle Proteins; Muscle, Skeletal; Protein Biosynthesis; Proteolysis
PubMed: 28237723
DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.02.031 -
Current Opinion in Neurobiology Aug 2017Neurons are amongst the most structurally complex cells and exhibit a high degree of spatial compartmentalization. Also, neurons exhibit rapid and dynamic signaling by... (Review)
Review
Neurons are amongst the most structurally complex cells and exhibit a high degree of spatial compartmentalization. Also, neurons exhibit rapid and dynamic signaling by processing information in a precise and, sometimes, spatially-restricted manner. The signaling that occurs in axons and dendrites necessitates the maintenance and modification of their local proteomes. Local translation of mRNAs into protein is one solution that neurons use to meet synaptic demand and activity. Here we review some of the key findings and recent discoveries that have shaped our understanding of local translation in neuronal function and highlight important new techniques that might pave the way for new insights.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Neurons; Neurophysiology; Protein Biosynthesis; RNA Transport; RNA, Messenger; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 28633045
DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.05.005 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2022Among the 20 amino acids needed for protein synthesis, Tryptophan (Trp) is an aromatic amino acid fundamental not only for the synthesis of the major components of...
Among the 20 amino acids needed for protein synthesis, Tryptophan (Trp) is an aromatic amino acid fundamental not only for the synthesis of the major components of living cells (namely, the proteins), but also for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis [...].
Topics: Disease Susceptibility; Homeostasis; Humans; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Protein Biosynthesis; Tryptophan
PubMed: 35054973
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020787 -
Biochemical Pharmacology Aug 2018Despite remarkable advances in medical science, infection-associated diseases remain among the leading causes of death worldwide. There is a great deal of interest and... (Review)
Review
Despite remarkable advances in medical science, infection-associated diseases remain among the leading causes of death worldwide. There is a great deal of interest and concern at the rate at which new pathogens are emerging and causing significant human health problems. Expanding our understanding of how cells regulate signaling networks to defend against invaders and retain cell homeostasis will reveal promising strategies against infection. It has taken scientists decades to appreciate that eukaryotic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) play a role as global cell signaling mediators to regulate cell homeostasis, beyond their intrinsic function as protein synthesis enzymes. Recent discoveries revealed that ubiquitously expressed standby cytoplasmic ARSs sense and respond to danger signals and regulate immunity against infections, indicating their potential as therapeutic targets for infectious diseases. In this review, we discuss ARS-mediated anti-infectious signaling and the emerging role of ARSs in antimicrobial immunity. In contrast to their ability to defend against infection, host ARSs are inevitably co-opted by viruses for survival and propagation. We therefore provide a brief overview of the communication between viruses and the ARS system. Finally, we discuss encouraging new approaches to develop ARSs as therapeutics for infectious diseases.
Topics: Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antiviral Agents; Communicable Diseases; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Protein Biosynthesis; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 29890143
DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.06.009