In this project, we were asked to select a disease caused by some change in the body's proteins and given a choice over how we want to present this information. We learned about transcription and translation and how changes in this process influence the proteins and eventual body structures that are created. The only guidelines we were shown were a sheet with all the information required and that we were not allowed to make a normal presentation or slideshow. These are the questions we had to have answered:
We have a document with all of our research, links, and a script shown below
The information was obtained at these sources:
- What is it
- What parts of the body does it affect, symptoms
- What protein is affected
- Who is likely to get it
- What are the treatments? Cure?
- What are the barriers to curing it?
- Any interesting research going on now?
- What is happening→ how and why
- Where is it happening
- What are the major players
- What is the code/ sequence
- End with a 3D model of the protein
We have a document with all of our research, links, and a script shown below
The information was obtained at these sources:
- https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/mental-health-aspergers-syndrome#1
- https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-asperger-syndrome
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4161164/
- https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/study-supports-flawed-protein-synthesis-theory-of-autism/
- https://www.gstatic.com/healthricherkp/pdf/asperger_syndrome.pdf
- http://www.autism-society.org/what-is/aspergers-syndrome/
- https://www.gstatic.com/healthricherkp/pdf/asperger_syndrome.pdf
- http://www.rcsb.org/3d-view/3BIW/1
The podcast that we made, called "The Dinner Club On Fire", had a few visual cues along with it, so we uploaded it to Youtube, seen below
Content
The process of protein synthesis is extremely important to Asperger's and all of the other diseases chosen by our peers. It is crucial for cell growth and allows for the production of many different types of proteins. This process happens through the change of DNA to RNA to proteins, something scientists have called...
Definitions
Project Terms
- Central Dogma
- DNA to RNA happens through the process of "Transcription" in the nucleus, in which a specific segment of DNA is copied into an RNA strand using an enzyme polymerase. This happens through four steps:
- Initiation: The DNA unwinds and separates and the RNA polymerase binds to the "starter" of the strand
- Elongation: The polymerase moves along the strand, creating another mRNA strand in the process
- Termination: Can either happen two ways, where a protein factor disrupts the process of elongation, or a loop forms and the polymerase detaches itself
- Processing: The mRNA is processed, forming a mature mRNA strand with a single sequence and moves out cytoplasm
- RNA to proteins happens through the process of "Translation", in which a ribosome connects to the mRNA and uses tRNA to read the codons of the mRNA, involving three different steps:
- Initiation: A small piece of the ribosome binds at the end of the mRNA and moves until it reaches the "start" codon. It then connects with the large unit of the ribosome and an initiation tRNA molecule
- Elongation: Codons on the mRNA strand determine which tRNA molecule linked with an amino acid binds to the mRNA, the amino acids are then linked using a peptide bond. This continues, producing a string of amino acids, a polypeptide chain, as the ribosome moves along the mRNA strand
- Termination: When the ribosome reaches one of the "stop" codons, translation ends
- After the polypeptide chain is created, it folds together to create a finished protein in a process called "Protein Folding". The chain coils and folds together into a specific three-dimensional shape, involving four different stages of structure and two different structures
- Primary Structure: The sequence of amino acids held together by peptide bonds
- Secondary Structure: The protein begins to fold up. It can have two types of structures:
- Alpha Helix: A coil shape held by hydrogen bonds in the same direction as the coil
- Beta Plated Sheet: An "S" shape pattern with hydrogen bonds holding the structure together
- Tertiary Structure: The protein folding into a precise 3D structure relating specifically to its function
- Quarternary Structure: The single peptides bind to other peptides
- DNA to RNA happens through the process of "Transcription" in the nucleus, in which a specific segment of DNA is copied into an RNA strand using an enzyme polymerase. This happens through four steps:
Definitions
- Codon - A sequence of three nucleotides forming a genetic unit of code in DNA or RNA, there are numerous codons in an mRNA strand that help to build proteins. In our project, eIF4E influences how many codons are read by the ribosome
- Anticodon - A sequence of three nucleotides in tRNA directly corresponding to the codons in mRNA. In our project, the codons connect with the anticodons in NLGN1
- RNA Polymerase - An enzyme responsible for copying a DNA sequence into an RNA sequence and plays a major part in both transcription and translation. In our project, when NLGN1 is created RNA polymerase connects with the DNA to created an mRNA strand
- Polypeptide Chain - A chain consisting of amino acids created when the tRNA and ribosome read the mRNA strand. EIF4E and NLGN1 are both polypeptides before they are folded into a protein
- Peptide Bond - A chemical bond that holds amino acids together. NLGN1 and eIF4E are both held together by peptide bonds
- Protein - An essential macromolecule in the human body that helps to repair and create tissue and serve as an energy source consisting of long chains of amino acids. They are created through the Central Dogma and the folding of amino acids. In Asperger's, the levels of the proteins NLGN1 and eIF4E directly effect the symptoms
- Amino Acids - Organic compounds in many different forms that create the polypeptide chains and are brought to the ribosome by attaching to tRNA. NLGN1 and eIF4E are made up entirely of amino acids
- Types of RNA - There are a few types of ribonucleic acid, RNA, that are responsible for various biological rules, these RNA are specifically responsible for the creation of proteins and therefore the most important part of the creation of NLGN1 and eIF4E
- mRNA - Messenger RNA; sends genetic information from DNA to the ribosome that specifies the amino acid sequence the protein needs
- tRNA - Transfer RNA; helps decode the mRNA sequence and brings amino acids from all over the cell to the ribosome
- rRNA - Ribosomal RNA; the RNA component of the ribosome that is essential for protein synthesis
- Ribosome - An organelle found in the nucleus responsible for creating proteins. It consists of RNA and other proteins and bind mRNA and tRNA to synthesize polypeptides and eventually proteins
Project Terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder - A term for all diseases similar or following the same type of protein mutation or symptoms as autism
- Asperger's Syndrome - A lesser form of autism that directly effects the brain and social interactions. It usually leads to awkwardness and lack of social contact with fellow peers, but an increased sense of patterns, perseverance, and usually a specific subject that they excel
- NLGN1 - One of the main proteins that leads to Asperger's in which the amount of NLGN1 tells how many symptoms will be present
- EIF4E - A protein crucial to the effects of Asperger's Syndrome, effecting the levels of NLGN1 that is created. When eIF4E is created in abnormal amounts, the amount of NLGN1 in the body substantially increases, leading to the symptoms of Asperger's
Reflection
In this project, I went in thinking that I, along with one other group member, would have to do much of the work, however I was quickly proven wrong and we all actually worked quite well together. Every team member contributed their own part and we finished right on time. The final project was pretty well done in my opinion and had all of the information required, however it might have went a bit better if we had more time to re-record clips and for me to edit the video.
I was sick for one of the work days and had to completely edit the entire podcast in one night, proving to be tiring and stressful for me. I learned that I can work very fast under high pressure and if put under enough weight, can audio edit extremely quickly. I also realized that in order to work efficiently, we have to seclude ourselves from the rest of the class, as our recording was interrupted too many times to count.
I could have managed my time a little more effectively, i.e not getting sick and also tried to be a bit more forceful with my words to show that I really mean what I say. Sometimes my fellow peers wouldn't listen to the things that I asked them to do, more specifically, when they weren't being quiet. All in all, the final project turned out quite well and my group didn't get off task at all, making this assignment all the more enjoyable.
I was sick for one of the work days and had to completely edit the entire podcast in one night, proving to be tiring and stressful for me. I learned that I can work very fast under high pressure and if put under enough weight, can audio edit extremely quickly. I also realized that in order to work efficiently, we have to seclude ourselves from the rest of the class, as our recording was interrupted too many times to count.
I could have managed my time a little more effectively, i.e not getting sick and also tried to be a bit more forceful with my words to show that I really mean what I say. Sometimes my fellow peers wouldn't listen to the things that I asked them to do, more specifically, when they weren't being quiet. All in all, the final project turned out quite well and my group didn't get off task at all, making this assignment all the more enjoyable.