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Related Concept Videos

Transfer RNA Synthesis02:36

Transfer RNA Synthesis

One of the unique features of tRNA is the presence of modified bases. In some tRNAs, modified bases account for nearly 20% of the total bases in the molecule. Altogether, these unusual bases protect the tRNA from enzymatic degradation by RNases.
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...
Transfer RNA Synthesis02:36

Transfer RNA Synthesis

One of the unique features of tRNA is the presence of modified bases. In some tRNAs, modified bases account for nearly 20% of the total bases in the molecule. Altogether, these unusual bases protect the tRNA from enzymatic degradation by RNases.
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 Activation02:26

tRNA Activation

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are present in both eukaryotes and bacteria. Though eukaryotes have 20 different aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases to couple to 20 amino acids, many bacteria do not have genes for all of these aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Despite this, they still use all 20 amino acids to synthesize their proteins. For instance, some bacteria do not have the gene encoding the enzyme that couples glutamine with its partner tRNA. In these organisms, one enzyme adds glutamic acid to all of the...
tRNA Activation02:26

tRNA Activation

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are present in both eukaryotes and bacteria. Though eukaryotes have 20 different aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases to couple to 20 amino acids, many bacteria do not have genes for all of these aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Despite this, they still use all 20 amino acids to synthesize their proteins. For instance, some bacteria do not have the gene encoding the enzyme that couples glutamine with its partner tRNA. In these organisms, one enzyme adds glutamic acid to all of the...
Translation01:31

Translation

Lesson: Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Translation01:31

Translation

Lesson: Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life

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Related Experiment Video

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Isolation of Translating Ribosomes Containing Peptidyl-tRNAs for Functional and Structural Analyses
11:19

Isolation of Translating Ribosomes Containing Peptidyl-tRNAs for Functional and Structural Analyses

Published on: February 25, 2011

Variations on the tmRNA gene.

Chunhong Mao1, Kanchan Bhardwaj, Stephen M Sharkady

  • 1Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.

RNA Biology
|July 21, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacterial tmRNA (ssrA) genes show significant structural variation, including circular permutation, impacting their function and interaction with mobile genetic elements. These variations influence how tmRNA rescues stalled ribosomes and interacts with bacterial genomes.

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An In Vitro Assay to Detect tRNA-Isopentenyl Transferase Activity
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10:56

Metabolic Labeling and Profiling of Transfer RNAs Using Macroarrays

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Isolation of Translating Ribosomes Containing Peptidyl-tRNAs for Functional and Structural Analyses
11:19

Isolation of Translating Ribosomes Containing Peptidyl-tRNAs for Functional and Structural Analyses

Published on: February 25, 2011

An In Vitro Assay to Detect tRNA-Isopentenyl Transferase Activity
07:46

An In Vitro Assay to Detect tRNA-Isopentenyl Transferase Activity

Published on: October 8, 2018

Metabolic Labeling and Profiling of Transfer RNAs Using Macroarrays
10:56

Metabolic Labeling and Profiling of Transfer RNAs Using Macroarrays

Published on: January 16, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Bacterial genetics
  • Molecular biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • tmRNA (ssrA) possesses both tRNA-like and mRNA-like functions, crucial for rescuing stalled bacterial ribosomes and degrading aberrant proteins.
  • Variations in tmRNA structure and gene organization can significantly alter its biological roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the structural diversity of the tmRNA gene (ssrA) across different bacterial lineages.
  • To understand how tmRNA gene variations influence its structure, function, and interactions with mobile genetic elements.
  • To explore the evolutionary implications of tmRNA gene structure and its association with endosymbionts and mobile DNA.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomic analysis of ssrA sequences from diverse bacterial species.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to trace the evolutionary history of tmRNA gene variations.
  • Bioinformatic prediction of secondary structures for novel tmRNA variants.
  • Examination of mobile element insertions within ssrA loci.

Main Results:

  • Endosymbiont tmRNAs often exhibit reduced secondary structure and length in their mRNA-like regions.
  • Circularly permuted tmRNA genes, forming two-piece tmRNAs, were identified in distinct bacterial lineages, with new sequences blurring these distinctions.
  • Sinorhizobium two-piece tmRNA retains a 5'-triphosphate, suggesting a unique transcriptional initiation.
  • ssrA genes are frequently targets for mobile elements like introns and genomic islands, with variations in insertion patterns observed between standard and permuted genes.
  • Examples of ssrA acquisition via genomic islands, co-existence of one- and two-piece tmRNAs, and phage-encoded tmRNA variants were documented.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial tmRNA (ssrA) exhibits remarkable structural and evolutionary plasticity.
  • Gene structure variations, such as circular permutation, are linked to specific bacterial lineages and influence ssrA's interaction with mobile genetic elements.
  • The study highlights the dynamic nature of tmRNA evolution and its role in bacterial adaptation and genome dynamics.