Preference of IRES-mediated initiation of translation during hibernation in golden-mantled ground squirrels, Spermophilus lateralis.

ABSTRACT: Mammalian hibernation involves virtual cessation of energetically consumptive processes normally vital to homeostasis, including gene transcription and protein synthesis. As animals enter torpor, the bulk of initiation of translation is blocked at a body temperature of 18°C in golden-mantled ground squirrels [Spermophilus (Callospermophilus) lateralis]. Previous data demonstrated regulation of cap-dependent initiation of translation during torpor. We asked what happens to cap-independent, specifically, internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated initiation of translation during hibernation. We analyzed polysome fractions for mRNAs that are known to contain or not to contain IRES elements. Here, we show that mRNAs harboring IRES elements preferentially associate with ribosomes as a torpor

SUBMITTER: Pan P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3154717 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature