Open AccessAminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase complexes: molecular multitasking revealed
Author(s) -
Hausmann Corinne D.,
Ibba Michael
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
fems microbiology reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.91
H-Index - 212
eISSN - 1574-6976
pISSN - 0168-6445
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2008.00119.x
Subject(s) - aminoacyl trna synthetase , biology , amino acyl trna synthetases , transfer rna , rna splicing , amino acid , translation (biology) , protein biosynthesis , computational biology , nucleotide , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , genetics , messenger rna , rna , gene
The accurate synthesis of proteins, dictated by the corresponding nucleotide sequence encoded in mRNA, is essential for cell growth and survival. Central to this process are the aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), which provide amino acid substrates for the growing polypeptide chain in the form of aminoacyl‐tRNAs. The aaRSs are essential for coupling the correct amino acid and tRNA molecules, but are also known to associate in higher order complexes with proteins involved in processes beyond translation. Multiprotein complexes containing aaRSs are found in all three domains of life playing roles in splicing, apoptosis, viral assembly, and regulation of transcription and translation. An overview of the complexes aaRSs form in all domains of life is presented, demonstrating the extensive network of connections between the translational machinery and cellular components involved in a myriad of essential processes beyond protein synthesis.