This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate capstone course at UW-Madison.
What are post-translational modifications?
Post-translational modifications add another layer of complexity to protein forms, allowing for more combinations of different modified forms of proteins. Post-translational modifications can include phosphorylation of serines, tyrosines, or threonines among many others. Post-translational modifications can also occur at point in a protein's life, modifying its function. (1)
ABCA4 post-translational modifications
Figure 1: Post-translational modifications of human ABCA4
Shown here using NetPhos, over the 2273 amino acid length ABCA4 protein, there are many areas with post-translational modifications. This is even considering that only three types of the many post-translational modifications that could occur on a protein. Even with many that are not at a phosphorylation potential that is deemed significant there are dozens more types of post-translational modifications, giving an idea of the possible amounts of modification the ABCA4 protein can participate in. (1)
Discussion
The many post-translational modifications present could be the subject of study, and analysis of overlap of mutations and different disease phenotypes. A few methods that are available to study post-translational modifications include techniques like mass spectrometry, sequence modification and phenotype analysis, and immunoprecipitation. (1-3)
References
1. Prabakaran, S., Lippens, G., Steen, H., & Gunawardena, J. (2012). Post-translational modification: nature’s escape from genetic imprisonment and the basis for dynamic information encoding. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Systems Biology and Medicine, 4(6), 565–583. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsbm.1185
2. Nørregaard Jensen, O. (2004). Modification-specific proteomics: characterization of post-translational modifications by mass spectrometry. Current Opinion in Chemical Biology, 8(1), 33–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2003.12.009
3. Post-translational modification detection techniques. (n.d.). Retrieved May 7, 2020, from https://www.cytoskeleton.com/about-signal-seeker-ptm-detection
2. Nørregaard Jensen, O. (2004). Modification-specific proteomics: characterization of post-translational modifications by mass spectrometry. Current Opinion in Chemical Biology, 8(1), 33–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2003.12.009
3. Post-translational modification detection techniques. (n.d.). Retrieved May 7, 2020, from https://www.cytoskeleton.com/about-signal-seeker-ptm-detection