Evolutionary conservation of codon optimality reveals hidden signatures of cotranslational folding.

ABSTRACT: The choice of codons can influence local translation kinetics during protein synthesis. Whether codon preference is linked to cotranslational regulation of polypeptide folding remains unclear. Here, we derive a revised translational efficiency scale that incorporates the competition between tRNA supply and demand. Applying this scale to ten closely related yeast species, we uncover the evolutionary conservation of codon optimality in eukaryotes. This analysis reveals universal patterns of conserved optimal and nonoptimal codons, often in clusters, which associate with the secondary structure of the translated polypeptides independent of the levels of expression. Our analysis suggests an evolved function for codon optimality in regulating the rhythm of elongation to facilitate cotranslation

SUBMITTER: Pechmann S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3565066 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature