Dysregulated translation lies at the heart of numerous pathological conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and infectious diseases. Unravelling the specific genes, pathways, and regulatory mechanisms driving aberrant translation offers promising avenues for therapeutic intervention. Identifying whether lead compounds for disease targets impact global translational signatures is a useful first step in understanding their pharmacological effects and potential therapeutic efficacy.
Polysome Profiling offers a powerful tool to interrogate global changes in translation between experimental conditions. By separating mRNA transcripts based on the number of bound ribosomes, Polysome Profiling provides a snapshot of translational activity across the transcriptome. Comparison of polysome profiles allows researchers to identify conditions subjected to translational regulation at a global level. Additionally, polysome profiling can be upgraded to Polysome-seq, expanding the methodology to include the collection and sequencing of mRNA from fractions reflecting the different numbers of ribosome bound transcripts. Identifying which transcripts exhibit shifts in abundances between the fractions allows researchers to identify genes undergoing translation regulation, including those involved in key biological processes or disease pathways.
In-depth expertise is crucial for the comprehensive analysis of Polysome Profiling data, given the intricacies involved in comparing profiles. Correct implementation requires proficiency in experimental techniques, data processing methodologies, and understanding of biological context to accurately discern translational activity.
