A Computational Framework to Identify Structural Features Associated with Asymmetric mRNA Localization to Mitochondria
Advisor Information
Dhundy Bastola
Location
UNO Criss Library, Room 225
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
4-3-2016 2:00 PM
End Date
4-3-2016 2:15 PM
Abstract
The mitochondrion is an energy power house in a human cell. The genome present in a human mitochondrion contains genes that code for 13 proteins. However, with advancements in proteomic and genomic technologies, we know that modern-day mitochondria are comprised of over 1,000 proteins. These proteins are transported to the mitochondrion from the center of the cell via a molecular signaling system. This system is traditionally composed of transport machinery and a short signal at the beginning, or N-terminus, of a protein. These N-terminal signals are found in, and are believed to be responsible for, the localization of 40% of human mitochondrial proteins. The rest of proteins found in or around proteins must localize using an alternate mechanism. Some studies have found evidence towards the localization of the mRNA transcript of a protein as a potential mechanism for asymmetric localization of proteins throughout a cell. The mRNA is what is translated to get the protein and it itself is transcribed from the genome’s DNA. The tail end of the mRNA is the section reputed to carry the localization signal. We have built a computational framework to investigate of the mRNA signal’s specific location and to attempt to characterize it.
A Computational Framework to Identify Structural Features Associated with Asymmetric mRNA Localization to Mitochondria
UNO Criss Library, Room 225
The mitochondrion is an energy power house in a human cell. The genome present in a human mitochondrion contains genes that code for 13 proteins. However, with advancements in proteomic and genomic technologies, we know that modern-day mitochondria are comprised of over 1,000 proteins. These proteins are transported to the mitochondrion from the center of the cell via a molecular signaling system. This system is traditionally composed of transport machinery and a short signal at the beginning, or N-terminus, of a protein. These N-terminal signals are found in, and are believed to be responsible for, the localization of 40% of human mitochondrial proteins. The rest of proteins found in or around proteins must localize using an alternate mechanism. Some studies have found evidence towards the localization of the mRNA transcript of a protein as a potential mechanism for asymmetric localization of proteins throughout a cell. The mRNA is what is translated to get the protein and it itself is transcribed from the genome’s DNA. The tail end of the mRNA is the section reputed to carry the localization signal. We have built a computational framework to investigate of the mRNA signal’s specific location and to attempt to characterize it.