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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Kenn Gerdes
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Translational control is widely used to adjust gene expression levels. During the stringent response in bacteria, mRNA is degraded on the ribosome by the ribosome-dependent endonuclease, RelE. The molecular basis for recognition of the ribosome and mRNA by RelE and the mechanism of cleavage are unknown. Here, we present crystal structures of E. coli RelE in isolation (2.5 Å) and bound to programmed Thermus thermophilus 70S ribosomes before (3.3 Å) and after (3.6 Å) cleavage. RelE occupies the A site and causes cleavage of mRNA after the second nucleotide of the codon by reorienting and activating the mRNA for 2-OH-induced hydrolysis. Stacking of A site codon bases with conserved residues in RelE and 16S rRNA explains the requirement for the ribosome in catalysis and the subtle sequence specificity of the reaction. These structures provide detailed insight into the translational regulation on the bacterial ribosome by mRNA cleavage.
Author(s): Neubauer C, Gao YG, Andersen KR, Dunham CM, Kelley AC, Hentschel J, Gerdes K, Ramakrishnan V, Brodersen DE
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Cell
Year: 2009
Volume: 139
Issue: 6
Pages: 1084-1095
ISSN (print): 0092-8674
ISSN (electronic): 1097-4172
Publisher: Cell Press
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2009.11.015
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2009.11.015
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