Global and local depletion of ternary complex limits translational elongation.

Gong Zhang, Ivan Fedyunin, Oskar Miekley, Angelo Valleriani, Alessandro Moura, Zoya Ignatova

Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.

Nucleic acids research 2010 Aug

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The translation of genetic information according to the sequence of the mRNA template occurs with high accuracy and fidelity. Critical events in each single step of translation are selection of transfer RNA (tRNA), codon reading and tRNA-regeneration for a new cycle. We developed a model that accurately describes the dynamics of single elongation steps, thus providing a systematic insight into the sensitivity of the mRNA translation rate to dynamic environmental conditions. Alterations in the concentration of the aminoacylated tRNA can transiently stall the ribosomes during translation which results, as suggested by the model, in two outcomes: either stress-induced change in the tRNA availability triggers the premature termination of the translation and ribosomal dissociation, or extensive demand for one tRNA species results in a competition between frameshift to an aberrant open-reading frame and ribosomal drop-off. Using the bacterial Escherichia coli system, we experimentally draw parallels between these two possible mechanisms.

Citation

Gong Zhang, Ivan Fedyunin, Oskar Miekley, Angelo Valleriani, Alessandro Moura, Zoya Ignatova. Global and local depletion of ternary complex limits translational elongation. Nucleic acids research. 2010 Aug;38(14):4778-87