title: The RNA ligase RtcB reverses MazF-induced ribosome heterogeneity in Escherichia coli.
abstract: When Escherichia coli encounters stress, the endoribonuclease MazF initiates a post-transcriptional response that results in the reprogramming of protein synthesis. By removing the 3΄-terminus of the 16S rRNA, MazF generates specialized ribosomes that selectively translate mRNAs likewise processed by MazF. Given the energy required for de novo ribosome biosynthesis, we considered the existence of a repair mechanism operating upon stress relief to recycle the modified ribosomes. Here, we show that the stress-ribosomes and the 3΄-terminal 16S rRNA fragment are stable during adverse conditions. Moreover, employing in vitro and in vivo approaches we demonstrate that the RNA ligase RtcB catalyzes the re-ligation of the truncated 16S rRNA present in specialized ribosomes Thereby their ability to translate canonical mRNAs is fully restored. Together, our findings not only provide a physiological function for the RNA ligase RtcB in bacteria but highlight the reversibility of ribosome heterogeneity, a crucial but hitherto undescribed concept for translational regulation.
authors: Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Center for Molecular Biology, Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr Bohr-Gasse 9/4, A-1030 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Hannes
authors: H
authors: Temmel
authors: Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Center for Molecular Biology, Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr Bohr-Gasse 9/4, A-1030 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Müller
authors: Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Center for Molecular Biology, Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr Bohr-Gasse 9/4, A-1030 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Sauert
authors: Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Center for Molecular Biology, Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr Bohr-Gasse 9/4, A-1030 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Vesper
authors: Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), A-1030 Vienna, Austria and Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr Bohr-Gasse 9/4, A-1030 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Ariela
authors: A
authors: Reiss
authors: Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), A-1030 Vienna, Austria and Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr Bohr-Gasse 9/4, A-1030 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Johannes
authors: J
authors: Popow
authors: Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), A-1030 Vienna, Austria and Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr Bohr-Gasse 9/4, A-1030 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Martinez
authors: Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Center for Molecular Biology, Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr Bohr-Gasse 9/4, A-1030 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Isabella
authors: I
authors: Moll
mesh_terms: D000604:Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / Q000235:genetics*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004722:Endoribonucleases / Q000235:genetics*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012270:Ribosomes
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C422955:MazF protein, E coli; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D004722:Endoribonucleases; D000604:Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases; C561935:RtcB protein, E coli