Question

1)     What is ribosome profiling?

2)     In your opinion, what are the advantages of ribosome profiling for the gene expression study of bacteriophage lambda?

Answer 1

Ribosome profiling:

Ribosome profiling is a method based on deep sequencing of ribosome protected mRNA fragments. Ribosome profiling, also known as Ribo-Seq (ribosome sequencing) or ART-Seq (active mRNA translation sequencing), provides a “snapshot” of all the ribosomes active in a cell at a specific time point.

In my opinion, ribosome profiling for the gene expression study of bacteriophage lambda which is one of the most extensively studied organisms and has been a primary model for understanding basic modes of genetic regulation. Here, we examine the progress of lambda gene expression during phage development by ribosome profiling and, thereby, provide a very-high-resolution view of lambda gene expression.

The known genes are expressed in a predictable fashion, authenticating the analysis. However, many previously unappreciated potential open reading frames become apparent in the expression analysis, revealing an unexpected complexity in the pattern of lambda gene function.

Advantages of Ribosome Profiling bacteriophage lambda  

• Investigate translational control and measure gene expression.
• Identify translation start sites.
• Determine the rate of protein synthesis.
• Predict protein abundance.