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Related Concept Videos

tRNA Activation02:26

tRNA Activation

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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...
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tRNA Activation02:26

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Transfer RNA Synthesis02:36

Transfer RNA Synthesis

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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...
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Transfer RNA Synthesis02:35

Transfer RNA Synthesis

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Improving Translational Accuracy02:07

Improving Translational Accuracy

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Base complementarity between the three base pairs of mRNA codon and the tRNA anticodon is not a failsafe mechanism. Inaccuracies can range from a single mismatch to no correct base pairing at all. The free energy difference between the correct and nearly correct base pairs can be as small as 3 kcal/ mol. With complementarity being the only proofreading step, the estimated error frequency would be one wrong amino acid in every 100 amino acids incorporated. However, error frequencies observed in...
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Types of RNA01:20

Types of RNA

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Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
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Corrigendum: Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.

RNA (New York, N.Y.)·2026
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At the Crossroad of Nucleotide Dynamics and Protein Synthesis in Bacteria.

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Characterizing the amino acid activation center of the naturally editing-deficient aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase PheRS in Mycoplasma mobile.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 23, 2025

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

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Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.

Miguel Angel Rubio Gomez1, Michael Ibba1

  • 1Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.

RNA (New York, N.Y.)
|April 19, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are vital enzymes for protein synthesis and genetic code accuracy. Alterations in their function can aid stress adaptation and impact health and disease, showing broad biological roles.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) are essential enzymes crucial for protein synthesis.
  • They ensure accurate translation by pairing tRNAs with cognate amino acids and proofreading non-cognate products.
  • While critical for cellular viability, their quality control mechanisms are increasingly linked to stress adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases beyond their canonical function in translation.
  • To highlight their emerging significance in cellular processes, health, and disease.
  • To underscore their utility in synthetic biology and efforts to expand the genetic code.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.
Keywords:
aminoacyl-tRNA synthetasesprotein translationtRNA

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Genome-wide Analysis of Aminoacylation Charging Levels of tRNA Using Microarrays
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Genome-wide Analysis of Aminoacylation Charging Levels of tRNA Using Microarrays

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  • Analysis of biochemical properties and functional versatility of these enzymes.
  • Exploration of their roles in cellular stress responses and disease pathogenesis.

    • Main Results:

    • aaRS enzymes are critical for maintaining the fidelity of the genetic code through substrate recognition and proofreading.
    • Mutations or alterations in aaRS quality control can lead to cellular stress adaptation.
    • aaRS are implicated in diverse cellular functions, impacting various aspects of health and disease.
    • Their biochemical versatility is instrumental in expanding the genetic code for synthetic biology applications.

    Conclusions:

    • Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases possess diverse functions extending beyond protein synthesis.
    • Their roles in cellular stress, disease, and synthetic biology highlight their broad significance.
    • Further research into aaRS is crucial for understanding fundamental biology and developing novel therapeutic strategies.