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Translation efficiency is maintained at elevated temperature in Escherichia coli.
Gareth J Morgan1, David H Burkhardt2, Jeffery W Kelly1,3
1From the Departments of Chemistry and Molecular Medicine and.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|November 30, 2017
Summary
Bacterial translation efficiency remains stable during heat shock, even when mimicking the heat shock response. This stability is linked to mRNA structure and gene sequence, suggesting robust cellular regulation under thermal stress.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Microbiology
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Cellular protein levels depend on transcription, translation, and degradation.
- RNA hybridization processes in translation are potentially temperature-sensitive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of heat shock on translation efficiency in Escherichia coli.
- To identify factors influencing translation efficiency under thermal stress.
Main Methods:
- Ribosome profiling was used to monitor translation at 30 °C and after heat shock at 42 °C.
- Translation efficiency was compared to gene sequence parameters (mRNA structure, codon usage, protein localization).
- A linear model was developed to predict translation efficiency variation.
Main Results:
- Translation efficiencies were robustly maintained after thermal heat shock and RpoH overexpression.
- Genes with stable mRNA structures, non-optimal codons, or inner membrane translocation were less translated.
- Few mRNAs showed significant structural changes between 30 °C and 42 °C.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial translation efficiency is largely resistant to acute heat shock.
- mRNA structure and sequence parameters, along with translational elongation, influence translation efficiency.
- A predictive model for translation efficiency variation was developed.
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