Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs

Summary

Toeprinting aims to measure the ability of in vitro transcribed RNA to form translation initiation complexes with ribosomes under a variety of conditions. This protocol describes a method for toeprinting mammalian RNA and can be used to study both cap-dependent and IRES-driven translation.

Abstract

Translation initiation is the rate-limiting step of protein synthesis and represents a key point at which cells regulate their protein output. Regulation of protein synthesis is the key to cellular stress-response, and dysregulation is central to many disease states, such as cancer. For instance, although cellular stress leads to the inhibition of global translation by attenuating cap-dependent initiation, certain stress-response proteins are selectively translated in a cap-independent manner. Discreet RNA regulatory elements, such as cellular internal ribosome entry sites (IRESes), allow for the translation of these specific mRNAs. Identification of such mRNAs, and the characterization of their regulatory mechanisms, have been a key area in molecular biology. Toeprinting is a method for the study of RNA structure and function as it pertains to translation initiation. The goal of toeprinting is to assess the ability of in vitro transcribed RNA to form stable complexes with ribosomes under a variety of conditions, in order to determine which sequences, structural elements, or accessory factors are involved in ribosome binding—a pre-cursor for efficient translation initiation. Alongside other techniques, such as western analysis and polysome profiling, toeprinting allows for a robust characterization of mechanisms for the regulation of translation initiation.

Introduction

As translation consumes most cellular energy, it makes sense that translation is tightly regulated¹. Conversely, dysregulation of translation-and the consequent alterations in protein output-is often observed in stress-response and disease states, such as cancer^1,2. A major advantage of translational control is the speed with which cells can alter their protein output in order to respond to various stimuli³. Translation regulation thus represents an important mechanism that can influence cell survival and death^1,

Protocol

NOTE: RNA is highly susceptible to degradation by ribonucleases (RNases). Take standard precautions to keep the RNA intact. Change gloves frequently. Use filtered pipette tips, nuclease-free plasticware, and nuclease-free chemicals in all steps of the protocol. Use nuclease-free or diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC)-treated water for all solutions.

1. Preparation of Solutions

1. Prepare Toeprinting buffer: 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.6), 100 mM KOAc, 2.5 mM Mg(OAc)₂, 5% (w/v) sucrose, 2 mM dithiothreitol (DTT), and 0.5 mM spermidine.
   1. Store DTT and spermidine in single-use aliquots at -20 °C to avoid repeated freeze-t....

Results

We have previously described the ability of the XIAP IRES to support cap-independent translation initiation in vitro^8,10. Toeprinting was the key technique to interrogate the mechanistic details of the XIAP IRES initiation complex. A DNA construct encoding an mRNA containing the XIAP IRES (Figure 1A) was in vitro transcribed and subjected to toeprinting analysis. The.......

Discussion

Toeprinting is a powerful technique to directly measure the ability of an RNA of interest to support the formation of translation initiation complexes under highly controlled circumstances. This protocol describes a simplified technique for toeprinting mammalian RNAs. Rabbit reticulocyte lysate (RRL) is used as a convenient source of ribosomes, eIFs, initiator tRNA, and IRES trans-acting factors (ITAFs). The experimenter provides their RNA of choice, and can also supplement the toeprinting reaction with specific.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
DEPC (Diethyl pyrocarbonate)	Sigma	D5758-100ML
TRIS base, Ultrapure	JT Baker	4109-01
KOAc (Potassium acetate)	Bio Basic	PB0438
Mg(OAc)2 (Magnesium acetate tetrahydrate)	Bio Basic	MB0326
Sucrose, molecular biology grade	Calbiochem	573113-1KG
Spermidine	Sigma	85558
GMP-PNP (Guanosine 5′-[β,γ-imido]triphosphate trisodium salt hydrate) 0.1 M solution	Sigma	G0635
ATP (Adenosine 5′-triphosphate) disodium salt, 100 mM solution	Sigma	A6559
19:1 Acrylamide:bis-acrylamide, 40%	Bio Basic	A0006
Urea	Bio Basic	UB0148
500mL bottle top filtration units, 0.2 µm	Sarstedt	83.1823.101
Formamide	Sigma	F9037-100ML
EDTA (disodium salt, dihydrate)	Bio Basic	EB0185
SDS	Bio Basic	SB0485
Bromophenol blue	Bio Basic	BDB0001
Xylene cyanol FF	Bio Basic	XB0005
MEGAshortscript T7 transcription kit	Ambion	AM1354
mMESSAGE mMACHINE T7 transcription kit	Ambion	AM1344
Acid Phenol:Chloroform (5:1)	Ambion	AM9722
25:24:1 Phenol:Chloroform:Isoamyl Alcohol	Invitrogen	15593-049
Rabbit Reticulocyte Lysate (RRL). Should NOT be nuclease-treated.	Green Hectares, USA		Contact Green Hectares, ask for 1:1 RRL:water
RiboLock RNase Inhibitor (40 U/µL)	Thermo Fisher	E00382
100 mM dNTPs	Invitrogen	56172, 56173, 56174, 56175	Mix equal parts for a stock of 25 mM each.
AMV-RT, 10 U/µL	Promega	M5101
Sequenase Version 2.0 DNA Sequencing Kit	Thermo Fisher	707701KT
Model 4200 IR2 DNA analyzer	LI-COR		Product has been discontinued
APS (Ammonium Persulfate)	Bio Basic	AB0072
TEMED	Bio Basic	TB0508
Phusion High Fidelity Polymerase	New England Biolabs	M0530
Turbo Dnase	Thermo Fisher	AM2238