Gene length as a regulator for ribosome recruitment and protein synthesis: theoretical insights

Autor(es)

Fernandes, Lucas D. ^{[1, 2]} ; de Moura, Alessandro P. S. ^[1] ; Ciandrini, Luca ^{[3, 4, 5]}

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Aberdeen, Inst Complex Syst & Math Biol, Aberdeen AB24 3UE - Scotland

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Entomol & Acarol, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[3] CNRS, F-34095 Montpellier - France

^[4] Univ Montpellier, DIMNP UMR 5235, F-34095 Montpellier - France

^[5] Univ Montpellier, Lab Charles Coulomb UMR5221, F-34095 Montpellier - France

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 7, DEC 12 2017.
• Citações Web of Science: 9

Resumo

Protein synthesis rates are determined, at the translational level, by properties of the transcript's sequence. The efficiency of an mRNA can be tuned by varying the ribosome binding sites controlling the recruitment of the ribosomes, or the codon usage establishing the speed of protein elongation. In this work we propose transcript length as a further key determinant of translation efficiency. Based on a physical model that considers the kinetics of ribosomes advancing on the mRNA and diffusing in its surrounding, as well as mRNA circularisation and ribosome drop-off, we explain how the transcript length may play a central role in establishing ribosome recruitment and the overall translation rate of an mRNA. According to our results, the proximity of the 3' end to the ribosomal recruitment site of the mRNA could induce a feedback in the translation process that would favour the recycling of ribosomes. We also demonstrate how this process may be involved in shaping the experimental ribosome density-gene length dependence. Finally, we argue that cells could exploit this mechanism to adjust and balance the usage of its ribosomal resources. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 15/26989-4 - Spatial dynamics and landscape structure of Spodoptera frugiperda
• Beneficiário: Lucas Dias Fernandes
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado