Structural features of the tmRNA-ribosome interaction.
Trans-translation is a process which switches the synthesis of a polypeptide chain encoded by a nonstop messenger RNA to the mRNA-like domain of a transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA). It is used in bacterial cells for rescuing the ribosomes arrested during translation of damaged mRNA and directing this mRNA and the product polypeptide for degradation. The molecular basis of this process is not well understood. Earlier, we developed an approach that allowed isolation of tmRNA-ribosomal complexes arrested at a desired step of tmRNA passage through the ribosome. We have here exploited it to examine the tmRNA structure using chemical probing and cryo-electron microscopy tomography. Computer modeling has been used to develop a model for spatial organization of the tmRNA inside the ribosome at different stages of trans-translation.
Belozersky Institute, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
Elizaveta Y
EY
Bugaeva
Serhiy
S
Surkov
Andrey V
AV
Golovin
Lars-Göran
LG
Ofverstedt
Ulf
U
Skoglund
Leif A
LA
Isaksson
Alexey A
AA
Bogdanov
Olga V
OV
Shpanchenko
Olga A
OA
Dontsova
D001483:Base Sequence; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012343:RNA, Transfer