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tRNA-directed transcription antitermination

T M Henkin1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Albany Medical College, New York 12208.

Molecular Microbiology
|August 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Gram-positive bacteria use transcription antitermination to regulate amino acid biosynthesis genes. Uncharged tRNA binds mRNA leaders, promoting gene expression during specific amino acid limitation.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Amino acid biosynthesis genes in Gram-positive bacteria are often co-regulated.
  • Transcription antitermination is a known regulatory mechanism in prokaryotes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the common transcription antitermination mechanism regulating aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and amino acid biosynthesis genes in Gram-positive bacteria.
  • To elucidate the structural and functional interactions between tRNA and mRNA leader sequences.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of mRNA leader sequences.
  • Genetic analysis of the Bacillus subtilis tyrS gene.
  • Biochemical characterization of tRNA-mRNA interactions.

Main Results:

  • A common transcription antitermination mechanism regulates at least 18 genes across several Gram-positive genera.
  • Gene induction is specific to the limitation of the corresponding amino acid, not general limitation.
  • Extensive structural conservation exists in the mRNA leader regions.
  • Uncharged tyrosyl-tRNA was shown to promote readthrough of a terminator in the Bacillus subtilis tyrS gene leader.
  • Two interaction sites between tRNA and mRNA leader were identified: anticodon-codon and acceptor end-side bulge.

Conclusions:

  • A conformational switch in leader mRNA, mediated by uncharged tRNA binding, controls transcription antitermination.
  • This mechanism allows for precise regulation of amino acid biosynthesis genes in response to specific amino acid availability.

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