Vol. 12, Issue 1 (2023)

Author(s):
Harshitha BS, Karthik Kumar Manjunath and Bhargavi HA

Abstract:
Microproteins (miPs) are minute regulatory proteins that range in size from 5 to 20 kilodaltons. They are known to be produced as a result of the translation of small open reading frames consisting of 150 to 200 nucleotides. They are classified into two categories based on their origin: cis and trans microproteins. Microproteins are involved in various roles throughout the development of plants and animals. Generally, proteins function by forming a complex with similar or dissimilar peptides through protein-protein interactions. The microproteins are known to form a complex with such multi-domain proteins and alter their activity. It is known that miPs control the post-translational regulation of gene expression. Microproteins are essential for the growth and development of plants, including seed germination, seedling development, stomatal opening, root growth, plant pigment production, flowering, and floral development. Synthetic microproteins can be created artificially by delivering genes governing their production through technologies like CRISPR-CAS to target a particular multi-domain protein and regulate its expression. A key step in turning microproteins into practical biotechnological tools for crop bioengineering comprehends the regulatory mechanisms of the microproteins.