tRNA Stabilization by Modified Nucleotides

Abstract

Post-transcriptional ribonucleotide modification is a phenomenon best studied in tRNA, where it occurs most frequently and in great chemical diversity. This paper reviews the intrinsic network of modifications in the structural core of the tRNA, which governs structural flexibility and rigidity to fine-tune the molecule to peak performance and to regulate its steady-state level. Structural effects of RNA modifications range from nanometer-scale rearrangements to subtle restrictions of conformational space on the angstrom scale. Structural stabilization resulting from nucleotide modification results in increased thermal stability and translates into protection against unspecific degradation by bases and nucleases. Several mechanisms of specific degradation of hypomodified tRNA, which were only recently discovered, provide a link between structural and metabolic stability.

tRNA modifications: Necessary for correct tRNA‐derived fragments during the recovery from stress?

“…1A). Most modifications occur non-randomly at conserved positions across diverse species, which implies their individual importance [10]. The presence of tRNA modifications has mostly been studied and interpreted in the context of tRNA maturation.…”

“…The present consensus is that some tRNA modifications facilitate tertiary structure stabilization, which translates into robust tRNA function, especially under conditions when fidelity of protein translation becomes rate-limiting. Yet, a biological role for most modifications remains still unknown [10]. Since even scarcely modified (mitochondrial) or even unmodified (e.g.…”

Decoding Mechanism of Non-universal Genetic Codes in Loligo bleekeri Mitochondria

“…In human mitochondria, MTU1, a homolog of MnmA, recognizes mt tRNAs for Lys, Glu, and Gln (33 Lys (AAR). These modifications might be required for tRNA stabilization as proposed in general (39).…”

Application of Nanometer Materials in Protein Separation

“…In recent years, many biological functions of materials were prepared by surface modification and widely used in medicine [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8], biology and other fields, especially in the separation of various proteins [9][10]. Protein is an important component of all living organisms, and it is the material basis of all life.…”