Premium
The tmRNA‐tagging mechanism and the control of gene expression: a review
Author(s) -
Barends Sharief,
Barend Kraal,
van Wezel Gilles P.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
wiley interdisciplinary reviews: rna
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.225
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1757-7012
pISSN - 1757-7004
DOI - 10.1002/wrna.48
Subject(s) - ribosome , translation (biology) , biology , rna , microbiology and biotechnology , transfer rna , genetics , ribosome profiling , computational biology , internal ribosome entry site , gene , messenger rna
The tmRNA‐mediated trans ‐translation system is a unique quality control system in eubacteria that combines translational surveillance with the rescue of stalled ribosomes. During trans ‐translation, the chimeric tmRNA molecule—which acts as both tRNA and mRNA—is delivered to the ribosomal A site by a ribonucleoprotein complex of SmpB and EF‐Tu–GTP, allowing the stalled ribosome to switch template and resume translation on a small coding sequence inside the tmRNA molecule. As a result, the aberrant protein becomes tagged by a sequence that is a target for proteolytic degradation. Thus, the system elegantly combines ribosome recycling with a clean‐up function when triggered by truncated transcripts or rare codons. In addition, recent observations point to a specific regulation of the translation of a small number of genes by tmRNA‐mediated inhibition or stimulation. In this review, we discuss the most prominent biochemical and structural aspects of trans ‐translation and then focus on the specific role of tmRNA in stress management and cell‐cycle control of morphologically complex bacteria. WIREs RNA 2011 2 233–246 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.48 This article is categorized under: Translation > Translation Mechanisms Translation > Translation Regulation RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms