Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Dual DNA Rulers to Study the Mechanism of Ribosome Translocation with Single-Nucleotide Resolution
Published on: July 8, 2019
The many paths to frameshifting: kinetic modelling and analysis of the effects of different elongation steps on
Pei-Yu Liao1, Yong Seok Choi, Jonathan D Dinman
1School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Abstract:
Several important viruses including the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and the SARS-associated Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) employ programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) for their protein expression. Here, a kinetic framework is developed to describe -1 PRF. The model reveals three kinetic pathways to -1 PRF that yield two possible frameshift products: those incorporating zero frame encoded A-site tRNAs in the recoding site, and products incorporating -1 frame encoded A-site tRNAs. Using known kinetic rate constants, the individual contributions of different steps of the translation elongation cycle to -1 PRF and the ratio between two types of frameshift products were evaluated. A dual fluorescence reporter was employed in Escherichia coli to empirically test the model. Additionally, the study applied a novel mass spectrometry approach to quantify the ratios of the two frameshift products. A more detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying -1 PRF may provide insight into developing antiviral therapeutics.
Related Concept Videos
Point and Frameshift Mutations
Ribosome Profiling
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique helps...
Ribosomal RNA Synthesis
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
Ribosomal RNA Synthesis
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
Leaky Scanning
Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria

