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The human mTOR transcript allows cap-independent translation that insures its expression and function during inhibition of global translation
Publication . Marques-Ramos, Ana; Menezes, Juliane; Candeias, Marco; Willcocks, Mariam; Lacerda, Rafaela; Teixeira, Alexandre; Locker, Nicola; Romão, Luísa
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a conserved serine/threonine kinase that integrates signals from the cellular nutrient- and energy-status, acting namely on the protein synthesis machinery. Deregulation of mTOR signaling is implicated in major diseases, such as cancer, mainly due to its role in regulating protein synthesis. Major advances are emerging regarding the regulators and effects of mTOR signaling pathway; however, regulation of mTOR gene expression is not well known. Here, we show that the 5’ untranslated region of the human mTOR transcript forms a highly folded RNA scaffold capable of binding directly to the 40S ribosomal subunit. We further demonstrate that this cis-acting RNA regulon is active both in normal and stress conditions, and that its activation status in response to translational adverse conditions parallels mTOR protein levels. Moreover, our data reveal that the cap-independent translation of mTOR is necessary for its ability to induce cell cycle progression into S-phase. These results suggest a novel regulatory mechanism of mTOR gene expression that integrates the protein profile rearrangement triggered by global translation inhibitory conditions.
The interplay between mRNA translation and nonsense-mediated decay in transcripts with short open reading frames
Publication . Onofre, Cláudia; Menezes, Juliane; Peixeiro, Isabel; Barbosa, Cristina; Romão, Luísa
Mammalian nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a splicing- and translation-dependent surveillance pathway that recognizes and selectively degrades mRNAs carrying premature termination codons (PTCs). In addition, several studies have also implicated NMD in the regulation of steady-state levels of physiological mRNAs, and examples of natural NMD targets are transcripts containing upstream short open reading frames or long 3’ untranslated regions.
The strength of the NMD response appears to reflect multiple determinants on a target mRNA. In general, the location of a PTC greater than 50 nucleotides upstream to the last exon-exon junction constitutes a major determinant of NMD. However, we have reported that human mRNAs with a PTC in close proximity to the translation initiation codon (AUG-proximal PTC), and thus, with a short open reading frame, can substantially escape NMD. Our data support a model in which cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding protein 1 (PABPC1) is brought into close proximity with an AUG-proximal PTC via interactions with the translation initiation complexes. This proximity of PABPC1 to the AUG-proximal PTC allows PABPC1 to interact with eRF3 with a consequent enhancement of the release reaction and repression of the NMD response. Here, we present strong evidence that the eIF3 is involved in delivering eIF4G-associated PABPC1 into the vicinity of the AUG-proximal PTC. In addition, we dissect the biochemical interactions of the eIF3 subunits in bridging PABPC1/eIF4G complex to the 40S ribosomal subunit. Together, our data provide a framework for understanding the mechanistic details of PTC definition and translation initiation.
Regulation of Glucose uptake in mammalian cells by phosphorylation networks
Publication . Henriques, Andreia; Jordan, Peter; Clarke, Luka
Objectives: Characterize the role of protein kinase WNK1 in the phosphorylation network regulating cellular glucose uptake
Tumour cell signalling- role of alternatively spliced Rac1b in colon cancer
Publication . Jordan, Peter
Tumour cell signalling; Role of alternatively spliced
Rac1b in colon cancer.
Molecular and Clinical Investigations on Portuguese Patients with Multiple acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency
Publication . Henriques, Bárbara J.; Lucas, Tânia G.; Martins, Esmeralda; Gaspar, Ana; Bandeira, Anabela; Nogueira, Célia; Brandão, Otilia; Rocha, Hugo; Vilarinho, Laura; Gomes, Cláudio M.
Background: Multiple Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MADD) is a congenital rare metabolic disease with broad clinical phenotypes and variable evolution. This inborn error of metabolism is caused by mutations in the ETFA, ETFB or ETFDH genes, which encode for the mitochondrial ETF and ETF:QO proteins. A considerable group of patients has been described to respond positively to riboflavin oral supplementation, which constitutes the prototypic treatment for the pathology.
Objectives: To report mutations in ETFA, ETFB and ETFDH genes identified in Portuguese patients, correlating, whenever possible, biochemical and clinical outcomes with the effects of mutations on the structure and stability of the affected proteins, to better understand MADD pathogenesis at the molecular level.
Methods: MADD patients were identified based on the characteristic urinary profile of organic acids and/or acylcarnitine profiles in blood spots during newborn screening. Genotypic, clinical and biochemical data were collected for all patients. In silico structural analysis was employed using bioinformatic tools carried out in an ETF:QO molecular model for the identified missense mutations.
Results: A survey describing clinical and biochemical features of eight Portuguese MADD patients was made. Genotype analysis identified five ETFDH mutations, including one extension (p.X618QextX*14), two splice mutations (c.34+5G>C and c.405+3A>T) and two missense mutations (ETF:QO-p.Arg155Gly and ETF:QO-p.Pro534Leu), and one ETFB mutation (ETFβ- p.Arg191Cys). Homozygous patients containing the ETFDH mutations p.X618QextX*14, c.34+5G>C and ETF:QO-p.Arg155Gly, all presented severe (lethal) MADD phenotypes. However, when any of these mutations are in heterozygosity with the known ETF:QO-p.Pro534Leu mild variant, the severe clinical effects are partly and temporarily attenuated. Indeed, the latter destabilizes an ETF-interacting loop, with no major functional consequences. However, the position 155 in ETF:QO is localized at the ubiquinone binding and membrane interacting domain, and is thus expected to perturb protein structure and membrane insertion, with severe functional effects. Structural analysis of molecular models is therefore demonstrated to be a valuable tool to rationalize the effects of mutations in the context of the clinical phenotype severity.
Conclusion: Advanced molecular diagnosis, structural analysis and clinical correlations reveal that MADD patients harboring a severe prognosis mutation in one allele can actually revert to a milder phenotype by complementation with a milder mutation in the other allele. However, such patients are nevertheless in a precarious metabolic balance which can revert to severe fatal outcomes during catabolic stress or secondary pathology, thus requiring strict clinical follow-up.
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Funding agency
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Funding programme
5876
Funding Award Number
UID/Multi/04046/2013