title: Identification of peptides with ELAV-like mRNA-stabilizing effect: an integrated in vitro/in silico approach.
abstract: Embryonic lethal abnormal vision (ELAV) proteins are RNA-binding proteins that bind specific adenine and uridine-rich elements mainly located in the 3'-untranslated region of target mRNAs, preventing their otherwise rapid degradation and thus increasing gene expression. Starting from our previous discovery and applying an integrated in vitro/in silico approach, herein we report a deeper understanding of the mRNA-stabilizing activity of four peptides derived from the ELAV proteins structure. The stabilizing effect on the VEGF transcript (mRNAVEGF ) exerted by each peptide, tested individually, was initially evaluated, and no effects were evidenced. Hence, the biological effects of all peptides couples were investigated. Interestingly, in accordance with preliminary molecular dynamics results, only one of all possible peptide couples resulted highly effective in stabilizing mRNAVEGF . These two peptides were thus identified as valuable starting point for designing small molecules with ELAV-mimicking properties.
authors: Pharmacology Section, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, Pavia 27100, Italy.
authors: Marialaura
authors: M
authors: Amadio
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Pascale
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Govoni
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Laurini
authors: Sabrina
authors: S
authors: Pricl
authors: Raffaella
authors: R
authors: Gaggeri
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Rossi
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Collina
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D051959:ELAV Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D020871:RNA Stability; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D013816:Thermodynamics; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D051959:ELAV Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A