Work

Frameshifting dynamics

Year: 2013

Type: review

Abstract: Translation of messenger RNA by a ribosome occurs three nucleotides at a time from start signal to stop. However, a frameshift means that some nucleotides are read twice or some are skipped, and the following sequence of amino acids is completely different from the sequence in the original frame. In some messenger RNAs, including viral RNAs, frameshifting is programmed with RNA signals to produce specific ratios of proteins vital to the replication of the organism. The mechanisms that cause frameshifting have been studied for many years, but there are no definitive conclusions. We review ribosome structure and dynamics in relation to frameshifting dynamics provided by classical ensemble studies, and by new single-molecule methods using optical tweezers and FRET.

Source: Biopolymers

DOI: 10.1002/bip.22293

Authors: Ignacio Tinoco, Hee‐Kyung Kim, Shannon Yan

Institution: University of California, Berkeley

Language: English

Topic: RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Awards: G3676917958, STRUCTURE/FUNCTION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS, Structure and Function of Nucleic Acids