An overview of protein formation could help understanding diseases

Scientists have shed light on a biological process that helps produce healthy cells, which can help understand neurological diseases and other conditions.

The researchers looked at a maintenance mechanism that eliminates defective proteins as they form. This process, common to many living things, removes damaged proteins and prevents their accumulation in cells, tissues and organs.

A better understanding of how defects may occur in protein production may help explain other diseases, including some forms of anemia and stunting.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh used the yeast model, a model organism, to badyze protein production. During this process, the genetic information encoded in the DNA is first copied into a related molecule called RNA, and then used to produce proteins.

The team focused on part of this mechanism that removes proteins that remain stuck during training. This opens the door to the production of new proteins.

Scientists have studied a yeast protein called Hel2, using UV light to identify the points of contact of this protein with molecules involved in protein production. These interactions help Hel2 identify flaws in protein formation.

When the researchers removed the parts of Hel2 in direct contact, this prevented the destruction of the defective proteins, which shows that these contacts are important for the mechanism.

Partially formed proteins can not only be dysfunctional, but also be toxic, for example when they form protein clusters resembling those badociated with Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease. The study, published in Nature Communications, was supported by the European Organization for Molecular Biology and Wellcome.

Dr. Marie-Luise Winz, of the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, who led the study, said: "The process of removing blocked proteins during production occurs in all of nature, and a better understanding of how this occurs could potentially help advance the understanding of many diseases. "

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More information:
Marie-Luise Winz et al., Molecular interactions between Hel2 and RNA supporting quality control badociated with ribosomes, Nature Communications (2019). DOI: 10.1038 / s41467-019-08382-z