mRNA-Independent way to regulate translation elongation rate in eukaryotic cells

The question of what governs the translation elongation rate in eukaryotes has not yet been completely answered. Earlier, different availability of different tRNAs was considered as a main factor involved, however, recent data revealed that the elongation rate does not always depend on tRNA availability. Here, we offer another, codon-independent approach to explain specific tRNA-dependence of the elongation rate in eukaryotes. We hypothesize that the exit rate of eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A (eEF1A)*GDP from the 80S ribosome depends on the protein affinity to specific aminoacyl-tRNA remaining on the ribosome after GTP hydrolysis. Subsequently, a slower dissociation of eEF1A*GDP from certain aminoacyl-tRNAs in the ribosome can negatively influence the ribosomal elongation rate in a tRNA-dependent and mRNA-independent way. The specific tRNA-dependent departure rate of eEF1A*GDP from the ribosome is suggested to be a novel factor contributing to the overall translation elongation control in eukaryotic cells. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(3):192-196, 2018.