Genetic analysis of translation initiation in bacteria: An initiator tRNA-centric view

Translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) in bacteria occurs in the steps of initiation, elongation, termination, and ribosome recycling. The initiation step comprises multiple stages and uses a special transfer RNA (tRNA) called initiator tRNA (i-tRNA), which is first aminoacylated and then formylated using methionine and N¹⁰-formyl-tetrahydrofolate (N¹⁰-fTHF), respectively. Both methionine and N¹⁰-fTHF are produced via one-carbon metabolism, linking translation initiation with active cellular metabolism. The fidelity of i-tRNA binding to the ribosomal peptidyl-site (P-site) is attributed to the structural features in its acceptor stem, and the highly conserved three consecutive G-C base pairs (3GC pairs) in the anticodon stem. The acceptor stem region is important in formylation of the amino acid attached to i-tRNA and in its initial binding to the P-site. And, the 3GC pairs are crucial in transiting the i-tRNA through various stages of initiation. We utilized the feature of 3GC pairs to investigate the nuanced layers of scrutiny that ensure fidelity of translation initiation through i-tRNA abundance and its interactions with the components of the translation apparatus. We discuss the importance of i-tRNA in the final stages of ribosome maturation, as also the roles of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence, ribosome heterogeneity, initiation factors, ribosome recycling factor, and coevolution of the translation apparatus in orchestrating a delicate balance between the fidelity of initiation and/or its leakiness to generate proteome plasticity in cells to confer growth fitness advantages in response to the dynamic nutritional states.