Research summary
A Genes & Development review of mTOR signaling cataloged direct and indirect downstream effectors that link the TOR kinase to protein synthesis, alongside upstream regulators of mammalian TOR activation [1]. An Annual Review of Biochemistry review of microRNA-mediated post-transcriptional control summarized the principles of miRNA鈥搈RNA base pairing in 3' UTRs, interacting Argonaute and accessory proteins, the contradictory mechanisms reported for translational repression and mRNA decay, and the role of RNA-binding proteins and cellular localization in determining miRNA outcome [2]. An earlier Annual Review of Biochemistry described the eIF4F complex as the rate-limiting ribosome recruitment factor in eukaryotic translation, with eIF4E recognizing the 5' cap, eIF4A delivering RNA-helicase activity to the 5' region, and eIF4G bridging the mRNA to the ribosome and to poly(A)-binding protein for mRNA circularization, alongside its regulation by phosphorylation and proteolysis [3]. A multi-author monograph compiled chapters on translational control covering initiation, the elongation cycle, initiation-site selection, methionyl-tRNA binding, ribosomal recruitment, developmental control, and viral strategies [4]. A two-step phosphorylation model for the eIF4F-binding inhibitor 4E-BP1 was developed, distinguishing the hypophosphorylated state that binds eIF4E and inhibits cap-dependent initiation from the hyperphosphorylated state released by the PI3-kinase/Akt and FRAP/mTOR pathways after extracellular stimulation [5].
Recent publications
- Mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs: are the answers in sight?DOI
- Upstream and downstream of mTORDOI
- Regulation of Translation Initiation in Eukaryotes: Mechanisms and Biological TargetsDOI
- Regulation of mRNA Translation and Stability by microRNAsDOI
- eIF4 Initiation Factors: Effectors of mRNA Recruitment to Ribosomes and Regulators of TranslationDOI
- Internal initiation of translation of eukaryotic mRNA directed by a sequence derived from poliovirus RNADOI
- Regulation of translation initiation by FRAP/mTORDOI
- Translational control in stress and apoptosisDOI
- Translational control of gene expression
- Regulation of 4E-BP1 phosphorylation: a novel two-step mechanismDOI
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Email Nahum Sonenberg 6-12 months before your application deadline. Read several recent papers and reference specific work in your message. Use our how to email a Japanese professor guide for the proven email structure.
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External profiles
- ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4707-8759
- OpenAlex: openalex.org
Profile compiled from public sources (Researchmap, OpenAlex, Kobe University faculty directory). Last refreshed 2026-05. Report incorrect information.