Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Isolation of Translating Ribosomes Containing Peptidyl-tRNAs for Functional and Structural Analyses
Published on: February 25, 2011
Structural studies of the tRNA domain of tmRNA
S M Stagg1, A A Frazer-Abel, P J Hagerman
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
Abstract:
tmRNA is a small, stable prokaryotic RNA. It rescues ribosomes that have become stalled during the translation of mRNA fragments lacking stop codons, or during periods of tRNA scarcity. It derives its name from the presence of two separate domains, one that functions as a tRNA, and another that serves as an mRNA. We have carried out modeling and transient electric birefringence studies to determine the angle between the acceptor stem and anticodon stem of the tRNA domain of Eschericia coli tmRNA. The results of the modeling studies yielded an interstem angle of 110 degrees, in agreement with the lower end of the range of angles (111 degrees -137 degrees ) determined experimentally for various solution conditions. The range of experimental angles is greater than the angles observed for any of the tRNA crystal structures, in line with the presence of a shortened D stem. The secondary structure of the tRNA domain is conserved for all known tmRNA sequences, so we propose that the angle is also conserved. These results also suggest that the region of tmRNA between P2a and P2b may interact with the decoding site of the ribosome.
Related Concept Videos
RNA Structure
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...
RNA Structure
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...
Transfer RNA Synthesis
Each of these chemical modifications is carried by a specific enzyme, post-transcription. All of these enzymes have unique base and site-specificity. Methylation, the most common chemical modification, is carried by at least nine different enzymes, with...
tRNA Activation
RNA Structure
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA) involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three...
tRNA Activation

