How mRNAs Without Shine-Dalgarno Sequences Are Translated
Author Information
Author(s): Scharff Lars B., Childs Liam, Walter Dirk, Bock Ralph
Primary Institution: Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
Hypothesis
How does translation initiation occur in mRNAs lacking Shine-Dalgarno sequences?
Conclusion
The study suggests that local absence of RNA secondary structure is necessary for the recognition of the start codon in Shine-Dalgarno-independent translation.
Supporting Evidence
- 79.6% of α-proteobacterial genes have Shine-Dalgarno sequences.
- mRNAs without Shine-Dalgarno sequences are less structured at the start codon.
- Experimental data supports that RNA unfoldedness is crucial for translation initiation.
Takeaway
Some mRNAs don't have the usual signals to start making proteins, but they can still do it if the area around the starting point is not all tangled up.
Methodology
Genome-wide searches and experimental validation using reporter gene constructs in bacteria.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on prokaryotic systems and may not be generalizable to eukaryotes.
Statistical Information
P-Value
3.0e-04
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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