MRRF Antibody

The Mitochondrial Ribosome Recycling Factor (MRRF) is a crucial protein involved in the final stages of mitochondrial protein synthesis. It plays a significant role in the disassembly of ribosomes from messenger RNA (mRNA) after the completion of protein synthesis, ensuring the efficient recycling of ribosomes for subsequent rounds of translation .

The ribosome recycling factor was first discovered in the early 1970s by Akira Kaji and Akikazu Hiroshima at the University of Pennsylvania. Their research identified the requirement for two protein factors to release ribosomes from mRNA: the Ribosome Recycling Factor (RRF) and Elongation Factor G (EF-G) . In mitochondria, MRRF, along with mitochondrial elongation factor 2 (EF-G2mt), mediates the disassembly of ribosomes, facilitating the recycling process .

MRRF functions by splitting ribosomes into their subunits, thereby releasing the bound mRNA. This process is essential for maintaining the efficiency of mitochondrial translation. The recycling of ribosomes involves the coordinated actions of MRRF and EF-G2mt, which catalyze the recycling step in human mitochondria . The loss of MRRF function can lead to severe mitochondrial dysfunction, including mitochondrial dysmorphism, aggregation of mitoribosomes, and elevated mitochondrial superoxide production .

The MRRF gene is located on chromosome 9 in humans and chromosome 2 in mice . The gene encodes a protein that is a component of the mitochondrial translational machinery. The encoded protein, along with mitochondrial elongation factor 2, functions in ribosomal recycling at the termination of mitochondrial translation .

Mitochondria play a vital role in a wide variety of cellular processes, including energy production through oxidative phosphorylation. The synthesis of mitochondrial proteins is carried out on a specialized translational apparatus within the organelle. The components of the mitochondrial translational machinery, including MRRF, are distinct from those in the cytosol and generally resemble bacterial counterparts . The proper functioning of MRRF is essential for cell viability, as its depletion can lead to the loss of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes and eventual cell death .

Mouse anti-human MRRF antibodies are used in research to study the expression and function of MRRF in human cells. These antibodies are generated by immunizing mice with human MRRF protein, leading to the production of antibodies that specifically recognize and bind to human MRRF. These antibodies are valuable tools for investigating the role of MRRF in mitochondrial translation and its impact on cellular function.