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The flow of genetic information in cells from DNA to mRNA to protein is described by the central dogma, which states that genes specify the sequence of mRNAs, which in turn specify the sequence of amino acids making up all proteins. The decoding of one molecule to another is performed by specific proteins and RNAs. Because the information stored in DNA is so central to cellular function, it makes intuitive sense that the cell would make mRNA copies of this information for protein synthesis...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 19, 2026

De novo Identification of Actively Translated Open Reading Frames with Ribosome Profiling Data

De novo Identification of Actively Translated Open Reading Frames with Ribosome Profiling Data

Published on: February 18, 2022

A Coding Sequence-Embedded Principle Governs Translational Reading Frame Fidelity.

Ji Wan¹, Xiangwei Gao¹, Yuanhui Mao¹

¹Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.

Research (Washington, D.C.)

|September 25, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The ribosome uses the 3' end of 18S rRNA to scan codons, preventing frameshift errors. This "sticky" codon interaction ensures accurate protein synthesis and reading frame fidelity.

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Biochemistry

Background:

Ribosomes translate mRNA into proteins, requiring precise reading frame maintenance.
Programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) can occur, but mechanisms preventing spontaneous frameshifts are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how ribosomes maintain the correct reading frame during translation.
To identify mechanisms preventing spontaneous frameshift errors.

Main Methods:

Utilized high-resolution ribosome profiling data.
Analyzed mRNA:rRNA interactions and codon composition.
Employed reporter gene assays and site-directed mutagenesis.

Main Results:

Discovered the ribosome uses the 3' end of 18S rRNA to scan AUG-like codons post-decoding.
Identified this interaction as a postdecoding mechanism for reading frame safeguarding and translational pausing.
Demonstrated that reducing "sticky" AUG-like codons increases +1 frameshift errors.
Showed mutation of the conserved 18S rRNA CAU triplet alters codon "stickiness" globally.
Found eukaryotic genomes optimize open reading frame codon composition for reading frame maintenance.

Conclusions:

The ribosome employs a postdecoding scanning mechanism involving 18S rRNA and "sticky" codons to ensure reading frame fidelity.
Protein-coding sequences contain embedded information that guides the ribosome to maintain translational accuracy.
This mechanism represents a crucial layer of control preventing deleterious frameshift errors during protein synthesis.