Work

Active role of elongation factor G in maintaining the mRNA reading frame during translation

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: During translation, the ribosome moves along the mRNA one codon at a time with the help of elongation factor G (EF-G). Spontaneous changes in the translational reading frame are extremely rare, yet how the precise triplet-wise step is maintained is not clear. Here, we show that the ribosome is prone to spontaneous frameshifting on mRNA slippery sequences, whereas EF-G restricts frameshifting. EF-G helps to maintain the mRNA reading frame by guiding the A-site transfer RNA during translocation due to specific interactions with the tip of EF-G domain 4. Furthermore, EF-G accelerates ribosome rearrangements that restore the ribosome's control over the codon-anticodon interaction at the end of the movement. Our data explain how the mRNA reading frame is maintained during translation.

Source: Science Advances

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax8030

Authors: Bee-Zen Peng, Lars V. Bock, Riccardo Belardinelli, Frank Peske, Helmut Grubmüller, Marina V. Rodnina

Institution: Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry

Language: English

Topic: RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft