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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
07:09
A Bioinformatics Pipeline for Investigating Molecular Evolution and Gene Expression using RNA-seq
Published on: May 28, 2021
Jekyll & Hyde: evolution of a superfamily
Susan A Martinis1, Yan Ling Joy Pang
1Department of Biochemistry, 419 Roger Adams Laboratory, Box B-4, 600 South Mathews Avenue, University of Illinois-Urbana, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. martinis@uiuc.edu
Chemistry & Biology
|December 22, 2007
Summary
Mutations in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases can cause neurological diseases. A single mutation in tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase revealed a novel cell signaling function, distinct from its role in protein synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) are crucial enzymes for protein synthesis.
- Mutations in aaRS are associated with various neurological disorders.
- The non-canonical functions of aaRS are increasingly recognized.
Discussion:
- Yang et al. identified a specific mutation in tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (YARS).
- This mutation unmasked a previously unrecognized cell signaling role for YARS.
- This signaling function is independent of its aminoacylation activity.
Key Insights:
- A single amino acid change can reveal alternative protein functions.
- Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase possesses signaling capabilities beyond translation.
- This finding expands our understanding of aaRS protein superfamily functions.
Outlook:
- Investigating other aaRS for similar unmasked signaling activities.
- Exploring the therapeutic potential of targeting these non-canonical functions in disease.
- Further elucidating the molecular mechanisms of YARS-mediated cell signaling.
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