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The brain’s protein factories at work
Protein synthesis is a finely tuned process in the cell by macromolecules known as ribosomes. Which regulators are responsible for controlling protein synthesis in the brain, and how do they exert their control on the ribosome? To address this question, a team of researchers from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin studied the structure of the brain’s ribosomal complexes in great detail. The team was able to identify a new factor which is also involved in controlling brain development. Details of this research have been published in Molecular Cell.
Proteostasis refers to maintaining a delicate balance of protein levels in the cell, which is of particularly crucial importance to neurons. Abnormal protein production is a characteristic feature of many brain disorders. High precision protein production is of immense importance during the early development of a complex part of the cerebral cortex known as the neocortex. It is particularly important in the production of membrane proteins, which play an important role in cell-to-cell sites of synaptic contact between nerve cells. As the cell’s ‘molecular protein factories’, ribosomes are at the heart of the regulatory processes involved in proteostasis. A range of molecules can influence ribosome function, and are responsible for controlling the production of specific proteins in different tissues and at different developmental stages. The way in which these various factors interact with the ribosome during development remains widely unknown. However, a group of Charité researchers has successfully observed protein production by ribosomes in the developing brain.
(Image caption: A snapshot of protein synthesis in action inside the developing brain. Credit: M.L. Kraushar/Charité)
“It is the first time the ribosomal complex has been visualized in action inside the brain at near atomic-level resolution,” says Prof. Dr. Christian Spahn, Director of Charité’s Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics. “While the structure of the ribosomal complex has been mapped in other tissues and organisms, our approach enabled us to identify Ebp1 as the new key factor responsible for controlling both ribosome function and the synthesis of specific proteins during brain development.” The interaction between the regulatory protein Ebp1 (short for ErbB3 binding protein 1) and the ribosome takes place at the ribosome’s exit tunnel, through which the newly formed protein chain emerges from the ribosome. Through this interaction, Ebp1 influences the production of membrane proteins that play an important role in neuronal interactions, thus maintaining neuronal proteostasis.
As part of a multidisciplinary project linking aspects of structural biology and neuroscience, the researchers used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) as their main investigative tool, combining it with mass spectrometry, RNA sequencing and genetic techniques. The cryo-EM imaging technique enables scientists to determine protein structures – particularly larger complexes comprising multiple molecules – at extremely low temperatures and near-physiological conditions. The study’s first author, Dr. Dr. Matthew L. Kraushar (a neuroscientist at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (MPIMG) in Berlin and previously a member of Prof. Spahn’s laboratory), explains: “We could therefore visualize the molecular architecture of the ribosome at high resolution, as it would be found inside brain cells. We were able to capture snapshots of the ribosome in action.”
“Protein production in various types of brain cells is subject to finely tuned control mechanisms. Small changes can lead to big consequences, such as neurodegenerative diseases or disrupted development. Our findings on the role of ribosomes during normal brain development will help us to better understand pathological changes affecting the brain,” says Prof. Spahn. As a next step, the researchers are conducting a large-scale study to understand the way ribosomes translate messages from the genetic code (mRNA) into numerous essential proteins throughout brain development.
I HATE how tumblr brings up your old tags as you’re typing a new tag because I really don’t!! Want to remember!!! Some of the things I’ve said on this godforsaken site!!!!
tag this post with your first result you get when you type will
At this point in time, with rare exception, I’m pretty against content creators speaking about their projects. By that I mean, I hate creators revealing lore or explaining content after the fact or even AS something is coming out. It ends up weakening the actual narrative in canon, making it so it can’t stand on its own.
BUT I am 110% percent okay with Marvel creators speaking about their works and its BECAUSE it ALWAYS weakens the actual content and it’s always in the funniest way.
You think Steve’s ending was beautiful and lovingly crafted? The writers and directors can’t even agree where he went and what he did. No thought went into that. They spent WEEKS on promo tours indirectly arguing about what was more canon.
You think Loki was a great show and didn’t mind him dating himself? Well, AFTER the he kissed the only female version of himself, a composer came out and said she crafted all the music with the idea that Loki sees Sylvie like a mother in her mind. “He looks at her like he looks at her mother.”
And there’s shit like this all throughout the MCU production and promo. Actors arguing for ships that make zero sense at the expense of characterization. Completely insane takes on continuity from directors. And I love it… like… yes… expose your projects for the shallow frauds that they are. This isn’t even getting into shit like “just looking at production schedules demonstrates how projects are filmed/developed at the same time, so accidental retcons/regressions are a common thing because they can’t even know how a character has developed because it technically hasn’t filmed yet.” (See: Thor Ragnarok and Avengers IW/EG)
It’s so blatantly bad. I love it. All content creators BESIDES MCU people shut the fuck up and stop ruining your works. MCU… keep going.
As much as I can’t wait to bite at Astarion’s fishing for compliments next time, this conversation with my socially ignorant githyanki nearly killed me with laughter oh my god I can’t believe they let you obliterate him like this