‘Birth’ of proteins visible for the first time

Researchers at the Hubrecht Institute have filmed the birth of proteins in living cells. The synthesis of proteins forms the foundation of life, but had never been directly observed. This provides new opportunities for research into various diseases, including cancer, in which the synthesis of proteins is often mis-regulated. The research is published this week in the journal Cell.

Individual protein molecules are very difficult to observe because of their tiny size. The scientists, led by Marvin Tanenbaum, developed a special protein staining technique called ‘SunTag’, with which single proteins can be seen in real-time using a sensitive microscope while they are undergoing synthesis.

Our genes contain all the information to create the cells of our body. During the birth of a new cell, the information that is stored in our genes is “translated” into the synthesis of protein; proteins are the workhorses of cells. Until now there were no techniques to visualize the synthesis of proteins.

Proteins are essential: they perform a large variety of biological functions both inside and outside the cell, such as muscle contraction, transport of materials within cells, and communication between cells. If mistakes occur during the “translation” of the information from genes into proteins, a cell will behave differently. Such erroneous translation can contribute to the development of cancer. By observing the synthesis of proteins in healthy and cancer cells, scientists can learn more about causes of cancer, according to Tanenbaum.