What is GENE ontology?
The Gene Ontology (GO) project is a collaborative bioinformatics effort aimed at standardizing the description of gene and gene product functions across different species.[1] This initiative focuses on three main objectives: 1) developing a consistent vocabulary for gene and gene product attributes, 2) annotating genes and their products with these terms, and 3)aggregating this information to facilitate access and analysis. Furthermore, GO supports the interpretation of experimental data by providing tools for functions such as enrichment analysis. Sometimes, ontology refers to those we've already know about and it covers three domains[1]:
1) Molecular Function: The cellular processes or activity could be carried out by the single macromolecular machine of gene product, like transportation, binding etc.[2]
2) Cellular Component: Cellular components are the complex biomolecules and structures of which cells, and thus living organisms, are composed. As this point, it refers to the part of cell wall and extracellular components.[1]
3) Biological Process: In the GO, the biological process represents a specific activities which are genetically programmed within protein to do.[2]
1) Molecular Function: The cellular processes or activity could be carried out by the single macromolecular machine of gene product, like transportation, binding etc.[2]
2) Cellular Component: Cellular components are the complex biomolecules and structures of which cells, and thus living organisms, are composed. As this point, it refers to the part of cell wall and extracellular components.[1]
3) Biological Process: In the GO, the biological process represents a specific activities which are genetically programmed within protein to do.[2]
Gene Ontology of SCL35A2
Molecular Function
Primary Active Transporter Secondary Carrier Transporter Ion Channel |
Biological process
Protein Glycosylation UDP-galactose translocation |
Cellular Component
Golgi apparatus |
Discussion
SLC35A2 plays a critical role in cellular physiology as depicted in its Gene Ontology (GO) profile, functioning as a secondary carrier transporter that specifically translocates UDP-galactose into the Golgi apparatus, the hub of protein glycosylation. This transport is essential for the biological process of glycosylation, where UDP-galactose is a substrate for the synthesis of glycoproteins, impacting various physiological processes and stability of membrane and secreted proteins. Located in the Golgi, SLC35A2 is pivotal for ensuring the supply of necessary substrates for the modification of proteins and lipids, a process that is fundamental to cellular function and, when disrupted, can contribute to metabolic disorders. The GO attributes of SLC35A2 thus reflect its integral role in mediating and regulating the molecular pathways that sustain proper cellular function and homeostasis.
Reference:
[1]Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, January 24). Gene ontology. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Ontology
[2]Thomas, P.D. (2017) The gene ontology and the meaning of biological function, Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6438694/ (Accessed: 09 April 2024).
Image Reference:
background: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12020-019-01989-8/figures/4
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40478-020-01085-3
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK593950/figure/g111-sugartransport.F1/?report=objectonly
https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/vethisto/chapter/1-golgi-apparatus/
[1]Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, January 24). Gene ontology. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Ontology
[2]Thomas, P.D. (2017) The gene ontology and the meaning of biological function, Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6438694/ (Accessed: 09 April 2024).
Image Reference:
background: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12020-019-01989-8/figures/4
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40478-020-01085-3
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK593950/figure/g111-sugartransport.F1/?report=objectonly
https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/vethisto/chapter/1-golgi-apparatus/