title: The tmRNA system for translational surveillance and ribosome rescue.
abstract: The tmRNA system performs translational surveillance and ribosome rescue in all eubacteria and some eukaryotic organelles. This system intervenes when ribosomes read to the 3' end of an mRNA or pause at internal codons with subsequent mRNA cleavage. A complex of alanyl-tmRNA (which functions as a tRNA and mRNA), SmpB protein, and EF-TucGTP binds stalled ribosomes, the nascent polypeptide is transferred to the alanine on tmRNA, and translation switches from the original message to a short tmRNA open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a degradation tag. Translation of the ORF and normal termination releases the tagged polypeptide for degradation and permits disassembly and recycling of ribosomal subunits for new rounds of protein synthesis. Structural and biochemical studies suggest mechanisms that keep tmRNA from interrupting normal translation and target ribosomes stalled with very short 3' mRNA extensions. Additional biological roles of tmRNA include stress management and the regulation of transcriptional circuits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA. smoore@mit.edu
authors.forename: Sean D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Sauer
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D010444:Peptide Elongation Factor Tu / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011487:Protein Conformation; D020871:RNA Stability; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C430328:small protein B; C096222:tmRNA; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D010444:Peptide Elongation Factor Tu