The Task
My team, Daniel, Andersen, Vanessa, and I, were assigned the task to research and create a presentation about a protein caused disease. We were given roughly a week to finish this task. We decided to do the disease Asperger's syndrome and created a podcast about it. It was a quick and research-heavy project. This was our process.
The Research
All of our research is on the document below. Further down is the script and general outline of the podcast that we created. It is 6 pages long. The red text is text that we realized is irrelevant and information we couldn't use because it would over-complicate our explanation of Asperger's syndrome.
The Final Product
The roughly 8 minute podcast covers almost all of the research we did over the week. The podcast is generally structured into two main parts, separated by a Pizza Hut radio ad. The first part talks about what Asperger's syndrome is, the symptoms, and the risk factors. This research was conducted by all of us. The second part talks about the changes in protein synthesis and the DNA and mRNA strands of the proteins involved.
The general summary is that Asperger's syndrome is a form of autism that is usually characterized by social awkwardness and extreme passion for a certain subject. It is caused by an abnormally high amount of NLGN1 in the brain. The high amounts of NLGN1 is caused by an increase in the protein EIF4E, the protein that regulates the creation of NLGN1. An important discovery we found was that Asperger's syndrome isn't caused by a misreading of a protein, but instead how much of a certain protein is created, in this case, NLGN1.
The research is very in-depth and got a lot of information. Some information wasn't needed for the limited time we had for the podcast. The podcast has about 90% of the information we found.
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 (3D model of protein)
The general summary is that Asperger's syndrome is a form of autism that is usually characterized by social awkwardness and extreme passion for a certain subject. It is caused by an abnormally high amount of NLGN1 in the brain. The high amounts of NLGN1 is caused by an increase in the protein EIF4E, the protein that regulates the creation of NLGN1. An important discovery we found was that Asperger's syndrome isn't caused by a misreading of a protein, but instead how much of a certain protein is created, in this case, NLGN1.
The research is very in-depth and got a lot of information. Some information wasn't needed for the limited time we had for the podcast. The podcast has about 90% of the information we found.
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 (3D model of protein)
Protein Synthesis and the Central Dogma
Protein synthesis is a huge part of life and is what causes Asperger's syndrome. It is part of life and cell survival. Protein synthesis is part of a major biological theory called the central dogma. It is the general idea that DNA becomes RNA in the nucleus via transcription and RNA becomes protein in the ribosome via translation. The protein also goes through a complicated folding process throughout the cell after its created. Bolded words are described more thoroughly in the "Important Concepts" section. Italicized words are described here.
Transcription: DNA to mRNA
1) DNA in a double helix shape in the nucleus creates strands of mRNA, or messenger RNA. This happens when the RNA polymerase connects to a strand of DNA and creates a strand of mRNA. The mRNA's nucleotides are opposite to the RNA strand it's based off. For instance, if the DNA had an adenine, then the mRNA would have an uracil.
2) The mRNA leaves the nucleus and travels through the cytoplasm. mRNA gets its name because it carries a "message" containing how to make the protein.
3) The mRNA connects to a ribosome. Ribosomes are made up of rRNA, or ribosomal RNA. The ribosome reads the "message" and begins the next step of protein synthesis.
Translation: mRNA to Protein
1) The ribosome reads the codons of the mRNA. The codons are in groups of 3, and each codon signals a different amino acid to be sent to the ribosome.
2) tRNA carries amino acids from all over the cell to the ribosome. tRNA, or transport RNA, gets its name because it transports amino acids. tRNA has anticodons, which are the corresponding nucleotides of the codons. Depending on the anticodon, a specific amino acid is placed. The amino acids form a polypeptide chain held together by peptide bonds.
3) The "STOP" codon is read. This final codon terminates the protein building and amino acids are no longer being added.
Protein Folding: When a Protein Becomes a Protein
1) In the primary stage, the protein is in its basic polypeptide chain form. It is currently in the cytoplasm.
2) In the secondary stage, the protein begins to fold into two possible shapes. It either folds into an alpha helix, which is a rod-like coil, or a beta sheet, which is a sheet-like structure. This occurs in the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
3) In the tertiary stage, the protein really begins to fold into a 3D structure. This is determined by its hydrophobicity. This stage also occurs in the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
4) In the quaternary stage, the peptide bonds begin bonding to other peptide bonds, creating the final protein. This occurs in the golgi body.
5) The protein is now complete and is ready to be shipped out of the cell if needed.
In Asperger's syndrome, it is the amount of a certain protein created that causes the symptoms. There isn't an error during the protein synthesis nor folding. Instead, it's an increase in the rate of synthesization of a certain protein. This protein is NLGN1.
Transcription: DNA to mRNA
1) DNA in a double helix shape in the nucleus creates strands of mRNA, or messenger RNA. This happens when the RNA polymerase connects to a strand of DNA and creates a strand of mRNA. The mRNA's nucleotides are opposite to the RNA strand it's based off. For instance, if the DNA had an adenine, then the mRNA would have an uracil.
2) The mRNA leaves the nucleus and travels through the cytoplasm. mRNA gets its name because it carries a "message" containing how to make the protein.
3) The mRNA connects to a ribosome. Ribosomes are made up of rRNA, or ribosomal RNA. The ribosome reads the "message" and begins the next step of protein synthesis.
Translation: mRNA to Protein
1) The ribosome reads the codons of the mRNA. The codons are in groups of 3, and each codon signals a different amino acid to be sent to the ribosome.
2) tRNA carries amino acids from all over the cell to the ribosome. tRNA, or transport RNA, gets its name because it transports amino acids. tRNA has anticodons, which are the corresponding nucleotides of the codons. Depending on the anticodon, a specific amino acid is placed. The amino acids form a polypeptide chain held together by peptide bonds.
3) The "STOP" codon is read. This final codon terminates the protein building and amino acids are no longer being added.
Protein Folding: When a Protein Becomes a Protein
1) In the primary stage, the protein is in its basic polypeptide chain form. It is currently in the cytoplasm.
2) In the secondary stage, the protein begins to fold into two possible shapes. It either folds into an alpha helix, which is a rod-like coil, or a beta sheet, which is a sheet-like structure. This occurs in the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
3) In the tertiary stage, the protein really begins to fold into a 3D structure. This is determined by its hydrophobicity. This stage also occurs in the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
4) In the quaternary stage, the peptide bonds begin bonding to other peptide bonds, creating the final protein. This occurs in the golgi body.
5) The protein is now complete and is ready to be shipped out of the cell if needed.
In Asperger's syndrome, it is the amount of a certain protein created that causes the symptoms. There isn't an error during the protein synthesis nor folding. Instead, it's an increase in the rate of synthesization of a certain protein. This protein is NLGN1.
Important Concepts
Codon - A codon is a set of 3 nucleotides (A, U, G, C) that is read by the ribosome. Each codon signals for a different amino acid. There are many codons in a strand of mRNA which help build the required proteins. When the protein NLGN1 is created, a ribosome reads its mRNA's codons.
Anticodon - An anticodon is the tRNA's codon that corresponds to the mRNA codon. Its nucleotides are opposite to the mRNA's nucleotides. For instance, if an mRNA codon is CGU, then the anticodon would be GCA. In the NLGN1 mRNA, the codon determines which tRNA with the corresponding anticodon should come and add an amino acid.
RNA Polymerase - An RNA polymerase is an enzyme that is critical to protein synthesis. It connects to a strand of DNA in the nucleus and creates a strand of mRNA. It is what initiates transcription, the first part of protein synthesis. Without it, protein creation would be impossible. When NLGN1 is created, RNA polymerase connects to DNA in the nucleus and creates a corresponding mRNA strand.
Polypeptide Chain - A polypeptide chain is a chain of amino acids that is created by the reading of mRNA in a ribosome. It is a polymer of proteins. NLGN1 and EIF4E, when first created, are polypeptide chain of amino acids.
Peptide Bond - A peptide bond is a bond that holds amino acids together. The NLGN1 and EIF4E proteins are held together by peptide bonds.
Protein - A protein is an essential macromolecule that helps our bodies build and repair muscle and accelerate chemical reactions. Proteins are created through a complicated process of synthesization and folding. NLGN1 and EIF4E are both proteins that are important when someone has Asperger's syndrome. Their amount determines whether or not someone will have it.
Amino Acids - Amino acids are the monomers of proteins. They create the polypeptide chains. There are 20 kinds of amino acids in the body. Amino acids are brought to the ribosome via tRNA. Both EIF4E and NLGN1 are made up of amino acids.
mRNA - mRNA is a type of RNA that stands for messenger RNA. It is called messenger RNA because it sends a "message" from the nucleus to the ribosome about how to make the desired protein. It is formed by RNA polymerase connecting to DNA. When the proteins NLGN1 and EIF4E are created, they are sent as mRNA strands to a ribosome to be created.
tRNA - tRNA stands for transport RNA. It is called this because tRNA transports amino acids from the cell to the ribosome to create a protein. It is integral to the translation part of protein synthesis because it brings the monomers needed to make a polypeptide chain. During the creation of proteins such as EIF4E and NLGN1, tRNA brings amino acids specified by the codons of their mRNA strands.
rRNA - rRNA stands for ribosomal RNA. It is the kind of RNA that makes up ribosomes.
Ribosome - A ribosome is an organelle that creates proteins. They are small and are found in the cytoplasm. This is where the translation part of protein synthesis takes place. They read the codons of mRNA and signal tRNA to bring amino acids. NLGN1 and EIF4E are just two examples of the many proteins created in ribosomes.
Anticodon - An anticodon is the tRNA's codon that corresponds to the mRNA codon. Its nucleotides are opposite to the mRNA's nucleotides. For instance, if an mRNA codon is CGU, then the anticodon would be GCA. In the NLGN1 mRNA, the codon determines which tRNA with the corresponding anticodon should come and add an amino acid.
RNA Polymerase - An RNA polymerase is an enzyme that is critical to protein synthesis. It connects to a strand of DNA in the nucleus and creates a strand of mRNA. It is what initiates transcription, the first part of protein synthesis. Without it, protein creation would be impossible. When NLGN1 is created, RNA polymerase connects to DNA in the nucleus and creates a corresponding mRNA strand.
Polypeptide Chain - A polypeptide chain is a chain of amino acids that is created by the reading of mRNA in a ribosome. It is a polymer of proteins. NLGN1 and EIF4E, when first created, are polypeptide chain of amino acids.
Peptide Bond - A peptide bond is a bond that holds amino acids together. The NLGN1 and EIF4E proteins are held together by peptide bonds.
Protein - A protein is an essential macromolecule that helps our bodies build and repair muscle and accelerate chemical reactions. Proteins are created through a complicated process of synthesization and folding. NLGN1 and EIF4E are both proteins that are important when someone has Asperger's syndrome. Their amount determines whether or not someone will have it.
Amino Acids - Amino acids are the monomers of proteins. They create the polypeptide chains. There are 20 kinds of amino acids in the body. Amino acids are brought to the ribosome via tRNA. Both EIF4E and NLGN1 are made up of amino acids.
mRNA - mRNA is a type of RNA that stands for messenger RNA. It is called messenger RNA because it sends a "message" from the nucleus to the ribosome about how to make the desired protein. It is formed by RNA polymerase connecting to DNA. When the proteins NLGN1 and EIF4E are created, they are sent as mRNA strands to a ribosome to be created.
tRNA - tRNA stands for transport RNA. It is called this because tRNA transports amino acids from the cell to the ribosome to create a protein. It is integral to the translation part of protein synthesis because it brings the monomers needed to make a polypeptide chain. During the creation of proteins such as EIF4E and NLGN1, tRNA brings amino acids specified by the codons of their mRNA strands.
rRNA - rRNA stands for ribosomal RNA. It is the kind of RNA that makes up ribosomes.
Ribosome - A ribosome is an organelle that creates proteins. They are small and are found in the cytoplasm. This is where the translation part of protein synthesis takes place. They read the codons of mRNA and signal tRNA to bring amino acids. NLGN1 and EIF4E are just two examples of the many proteins created in ribosomes.
Disease Concepts
Asperger's Syndrome - Asperger's syndrome is a lesser form of autism that affects the brain. Signs usually begin at 2 years old and victims are characterized by social awkwardness, clumsiness, risk of sensory overload, extreme passion for a certain subject, and high levels of perseverance. The brain is mostly affected by this disease.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is an umbrella term for diseases that are or are similar to autism. This includes autism, Asperger's syndrome, and a few other diseases. The idea was conceived by the DSM-5 in 2013 in response to the controversy of Asperger's syndrome and autism being characterized as two separate diseases.
EIF4E - EIF4E is a protein that is huge in Asperger's syndrome. It regulates the creation of NLGN1, another protein found in the brain. More EIF4E means more NLGN1. What this means is that a large enough increase in EIF4E increases NLGN1 to abnormal levels, causing the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome.
NLGN1 - NLGN1 is an important protein in Asperger's syndrome. It's amount is what determines whether or not someone will experience symptoms of Asperger's syndrome. It's amount is mainly determined by the levels of EIF4E in the body.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is an umbrella term for diseases that are or are similar to autism. This includes autism, Asperger's syndrome, and a few other diseases. The idea was conceived by the DSM-5 in 2013 in response to the controversy of Asperger's syndrome and autism being characterized as two separate diseases.
EIF4E - EIF4E is a protein that is huge in Asperger's syndrome. It regulates the creation of NLGN1, another protein found in the brain. More EIF4E means more NLGN1. What this means is that a large enough increase in EIF4E increases NLGN1 to abnormal levels, causing the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome.
NLGN1 - NLGN1 is an important protein in Asperger's syndrome. It's amount is what determines whether or not someone will experience symptoms of Asperger's syndrome. It's amount is mainly determined by the levels of EIF4E in the body.
Reflection
After the first project, I wanted to make sure that I didn't make the same errors as last time. I feel like I did a good job at accomplishing this. This project was research heavy and it was important that every member contributed. Not only did every member contribute, but every member was proactive in finding necessary information and cooperated when they had to. Some of my strengths were my leadership skills and work ethic. One critical difference between this project and the previous project was that I was more proactive in decision making. In fact, everyone excelled in leadership and decision making. We all helped drive the team forward and cooperated with all the members. Another strength I had was my work ethic. I did heavy amounts of research on the risk factors, treatments, symptoms, and proteins involved in Asperger's syndrome. Most of my research was placed into the podcast. I feel like I worked a lot harder on this project than I did for the last project.
Although I had significant strengths, I also had significant weaknesses. Some of my weaknesses were my timing and sharing of research. Because we spent so much time on research, we technically only had one day to start and finish our project. Although part of this was caused by the absence of a member who had recording experience, we were still pressed for time in the creation of the podcast. I also struggled to share some of my research with a few of my teammates. Because I was so deep into the articles and videos about Asperger's syndrome, I struggled to share and explain it with some teammates. It took a long time for me to actually explain to them the DNA and mRNA strand codes and the risk factors. I definitely could've been better in this part of the project. After all, STEM is about working with a team and making sure communication is seamless.
I did have weaknesses, but I think the strengths definitely outweighed them more this time. I feel a lot better with my contribution to the team in this project. I'm less rusty and have fully recovered from the lack of STEM work over the summer. I hope to retain these new skills and stay diligent in the next project.
Although I had significant strengths, I also had significant weaknesses. Some of my weaknesses were my timing and sharing of research. Because we spent so much time on research, we technically only had one day to start and finish our project. Although part of this was caused by the absence of a member who had recording experience, we were still pressed for time in the creation of the podcast. I also struggled to share some of my research with a few of my teammates. Because I was so deep into the articles and videos about Asperger's syndrome, I struggled to share and explain it with some teammates. It took a long time for me to actually explain to them the DNA and mRNA strand codes and the risk factors. I definitely could've been better in this part of the project. After all, STEM is about working with a team and making sure communication is seamless.
I did have weaknesses, but I think the strengths definitely outweighed them more this time. I feel a lot better with my contribution to the team in this project. I'm less rusty and have fully recovered from the lack of STEM work over the summer. I hope to retain these new skills and stay diligent in the next project.