Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
tmRNA, transfer-messenger RNA, −1 triplets, pyrimidine
College
Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract
tmRNA (transfer-messenger RNA) is a functional RNA that acts as both tRNA and mRNA to rescue ribosomes stalled on mRNA lacking a stop codon or on nascent peptide sequences in eubacteria (1). When a ribosome stalls, the tRNA-like structure of tmRNA enters the ribosome and adds an alanine to the growing peptide. The ribosome then releases the original mRNA and translation continues with tmRNA as the template. The tmRNA template codes for a 10 amino acid tag sequence followed by a stop codon. With a stop codon, the ribosome is able to dissociate and be recycled. Meanwhile, the tagged peptide is released and degraded by proteases (2).
Recommended Citation
Miller, Mickey and Buskirk, Dr. Allen
(2013)
"Effect of the −1 Triplet in tmRNA,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 2552.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2552