Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) as translational regulators in human disease

Fernandes, Rafael; Romão, Luísa

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/7737

Use this identifier to reference this record.

Name:	Description:	Size:	Format:
Fernandes & Romão 2020.pdf		170.25 KB	Adobe PDF	Download

Send Feedback

Authors

Fernandes, Rafael

Romão, Luísa

Abstract(s)

The messenger RNA (mRNA) translation process is a key step of gene expression, whose regulation allows the cell to rapidly change protein synthesis in a spatio-temporal manner in response to different stimuli. Translation comprises four steps – initiation, elongation, termination, and ribosome recycling – being initiation the rate-limiting step that is, therefore, prone to a tighter regulation. Among the regulatory elements and factors that can act in this stage, there are the upstream open reading frames (uORFs), which represent coding regions defined by an initiation codon in the 5’ leader sequence [also known as 5’ untranslated region (UTR)] of the mRNAs, in frame with an upstream termination codon or overlapped with the main open reading frame (mORF) that encodes the protein. These cis-acting elements are typically considered to be repressors of downstream translation in basal conditions since they may function as “barriers” to ribosomes, impeding them to reach the mORF.

Description

Atlas of Science is established to help scientists share, and to bring science to the broader audience. The publication of Layman summaries by academic researchers and access to these summaries for the general public will always be free of charge.

Keywords

Genetic Disease Non-AUG Upstream Open Reading Frame (uORF) Stress Translational Regulation Translatome uORF uORF-encoded Peptide Genómica Funcional e Estrutural Doenças Genéticas