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PMID: 12554858 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. Review

The 9-A solution: how mRNA pseudoknots promote efficient programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting.

RNA (New York, N.Y.) ·Vol. 9 ·No. 2 ·2003-02-00 ·Pages 168-74

Plant EP, Jacobs KL, Harger JW, Meskauskas A, Jacobs JL, Baxter JL, Petrov AN, Dinman JD

Abstract

There is something special about mRNA pseudoknots that allows them to elicit efficient levels of programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting. Here, we present a synthesis of recent crystallographic, molecular, biochemical, and genetic studies to explain this property. Movement of 9 A by the anticodon loop of the aminoacyl-tRNA at the accommodation step normally pulls the downstream mRNA a similar distance along with it. We suggest that the downstream mRNA pseudoknot provides resistance to this movement by becoming wedged into the entrance of the ribosomal mRNA tunnel. These two opposing forces result in the creation of a local region of tension in the mRNA between the A-site codon and the mRNA pseudoknot. This can be relieved by one of two mechanisms; unwinding the pseudoknot, allowing the downstream region to move forward, or by slippage of the proximal region of the mRNA backwards by one base. The observed result of the latter mechanism is a net shift of reading frame by one base in the 5' direction, that is, a -1 ribosomal frameshift.

MeSH Terms
Bacteria/chemistry,metabolism Frameshifting, Ribosomal/physiology RNA, Messenger/chemistry,metabolism Ribosomes/metabolism Thermodynamics
Chemicals
RNA, Messenger
Authors & Affiliations
8 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Plant Ewan P
Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Microbiology Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
Jacobs Kristi L Muldoon
Harger Jason W
Meskauskas Arturas
Jacobs Jonathan L
Baxter Jennifer L
Petrov Alexey N
Dinman Jonathan D
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Article Info
Journal
RNA (New York, N.Y.)
Abbr.
RNA
ISSN
1355-8382
DOI
10.1261/rna.2132503
Published
2003-02-00
Pages
168-74
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
9509184
PMCID
PMC1237042
Subset
IM
Grants
NIGMS NIH HHS · R01 GM058859 · United States
NIAID NIH HHS · T32 AI051967 · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · GM 58859 · United States
NIAID NIH HHS · T32 AI 51967 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1261/rna.2132503 PMC Full Text View journal details
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