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Translational regulation of plastid gene expression in Euglena gracilis
Author(s) -
Reinbothe Steffen,
Parthier Benno
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/0014-5793(90)80870-o
Subject(s) - euglena gracilis , plastid , biology , genetics , gene , gene expression , chloroplast
Translation of plastid messenger RNAs depends on aminoacyl‐tRNAs formed by charging plastid‐encoded tRNAs with cognate amino acids. The enzymes involved, chloroplast aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases, are encoded in the nucleus. Both the tRNAs and the aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases are stimulated in synthesis if dark‐grown cells are exposed to light. However, their accumulation during light‐induced chloroplast development in Euglena gracilis starts with an appreciable lag‐phase. During this period the availability of charged tRNAs probably limits protein synthesis. Due to the contemporary need of glutamyl‐tRNA Glu GAA in chlorophyll synthesis this particular tRNA is very likely depleted. Based on an analysis of glutamate codon frequency in known plastid genes, the effect of a glutamyl‐tRNA Glu GAA limitation on the translation of plastid messages is discussed.