Depletion of cellular poly (A) binding protein prevents protein synthesis and leads to apoptosis in HeLa cells

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 408; no. 3; pp. 375 - 381
• Main Authors: Thangima Zannat, Mst, Bhattacharjee, Rumpa B., Bag, Jnanankur
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 13.05.2011
• Subjects: 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; APOPTOSIS; Apoptosis - genetics; BIOSYNTHESIS; DROSOPHILA; Gene Knockdown Techniques; GENES; HELA CELLS; Humans; MESSENGER-RNA; METABOLISM; mRNA translation; PABP; Poly (A) binding protein; Poly(A)-Binding Protein I - genetics; Poly(A)-Binding Protein I - physiology; Protein Biosynthesis - genetics; Protein synthesis; PROTEINS; RNA Interference; siRNA; TRANSCRIPTION; YEASTS; PABP; siRNA; mRNA translation; Poly (A) binding protein; Protein synthesis
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.04.003

► Depletion of cellular PABP level arrests mRNA translation in HeLa cells. ► PABP knock down leads to apoptotic cell death. ► PABP depletion does not affect transcription. ► PABP depletion does not lead to nuclear accumulation of mRNA. The cytoplasmic poly (A) binding protein (PABP) is important in mRNA translation and stability. In yeast, depletion of PABP leads to translation arrest. Similarly, the PABP gene in Drosophila is important for proper development. It is however uncertain, whether mammalian PABP is essential for mRNA translation. Here we showed the effect of PABP depletion on mRNA metabolism in HeLa cells by using a small interfering RNA. Our results suggest that depletion of PABP prevents protein synthesis and consequently leads to cell death through apoptosis. Interestingly, no detectable effect of PABP depletion on transcription, transport and stability of mRNA was observed.