Argonaute (Ago) proteins are typically recruited to target messenger RNAs via an associated small RNA such as a microRNA (miRNA). Here, we describe a new mechanism of Ago recruitment through the Drosophila Smaug RNA-binding protein. We show that Smaug interacts with the Ago1 protein, and that Ago1 interacts with and is required for the translational repression of the Smaug target, nanos mRNA. T...

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal modification of eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) and plays critical roles in RNA biology. The function of this modification is mediated by m6A-selective 'reader' proteins of the YTH family, which incorporate m6A-modified mRNAs into pathways of RNA metabolism. Here, we show that the m6A-binding protein YTHDC1 mediates export of methylated mRN...

Synthetic pre-edited messenger RNA (mRNA) and guide RNA (gRNA) for the 5'-edited maxicircle-encoded ND7 cryptogene from Leishmania tarentolae formed chimeric molecules upon incubation in the presence of a mitochondrial extract. These chimeric molecules consisted of the gRNAs covalently linked to the mRNAs by short oligo(U) tails at normal editing sites in most cases. Unlike the previously repor...

Fragile X syndrome - a common form of inherited mental retardation - is caused by the loss of the fragile X mental retardation 1 protein (FMRP). FMRP is an RNA-binding protein which forms a messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) complex that associates with translating polyribosomes. It has been proposed that FMRP is involved in synaptic plasticity through the regulation of mRNA transportation and ...

An adult human being has about 100 000 billion cells. The nucleus of each cell carries all our genetic material: a total of two meters of DNA containing some 30 000 genes. When genes are expressed (activated), genetic information is copied from DNA to messenger molecules, messenger RNA (mRNA), which then orchestrate formation of proteins. Proteins are involved in the life processes of all organ...

Traditionally, we know that genomic DNA will produce transcripts named messenger RNA and then translate into protein following the instruction of genetic central dogma, and RNA works here as a pass-by messenger. Now increasing evidence shows that RNA is a key regulator as well as a message transmitter. It is discovered by next-generation sequencing techniques that most genomic DNA are generally...

The conserved CDC5 family of Myb-related proteins performs an essential function in cell cycle control at G(2)/M. Although c-Myb and many Myb-related proteins act as transcription factors, herein, we implicate CDC5 proteins in pre-mRNA splicing. Mammalian CDC5 colocalizes with pre-mRNA splicing factors in the nuclei of mammalian cells, associates with core components of the splicing machinery i...

Conventional gene therapy has focused largely on gene replacement in target cells. However, progress from basic research to the clinic has been slow for reasons relating principally to the challenges of heterologous DNA delivery and regulation in vivo. Alternative approaches targeting RNA have the potential to circumvent some of these difficulties, particularly as the active therapeutic molecul...

Functional human globin messenger RNA but failed to stimulate the synthesis of any was isolated from reticulocytes of two paf. -chains, even though nonthalassemic tients with homozygous /3#{176}-thalassemia, human globin mRNA preparations conthree patients with sickle cell fl#{176}-thalassistently stimulated two to four times as semia, and one patient doubly heteromuch fl or globin chain synthe...

Details are presented of the in vitro synthesis of double-stranded DNA complementary to purified Xenopus globin messenger RNA, using a combination of reverse transcriptase, fragment 'A' of E. coli DNA polymerase 1 and S1 endonuclease. After selection of duplex DNA molecules approaching the length of Xenopus globin messenger RNA by sedimentation of the DNA through neutral sucrose gradients, the ...