Translational recoding induced by G-rich mRNA sequences that form unusual structures.
We investigated a herpesvirus mutant that contains a single base insertion in its thymidine kinase (tk) gene yet expresses low levels of TK via a net +1 translational recoding event. Within this mutant gene, we defined a G-rich signal that is sufficient to induce recoding. Unlike other translational recoding events, downstream RNA structures or termination codons did not stimulate recoding, and paused ribosomes were not detected. Mutational analysis indicated that specific tRNAs or codon-anticodon slippage were unlikely to account for recoding. Rather, recoding efficiency correlated with the G-richness of the signal and its ability to form unusual structures. These findings identify a mechanism of translational recoding with unique features and potential implications for clinical drug resistance and other biological systems.
Horsburgh
B C
BC
Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Kollmus
H
H
Hauser
H
H
Coen
D M
DM
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001482:Base Composition; D001483:Base Sequence; D003062:Codon / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D016368:Frameshift Mutation; D015870:Gene Expression; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005814:Genes, Viral; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008957:Models, Genetic; D015394:Molecular Structure; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*; D011817:Rabbits; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000235:genetics
D003062:Codon; D004279:DNA, Viral; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013937:Thymidine Kinase