Mutually exclusive RNA secondary structures regulate translation initiation of DinQ in Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT: Protein translation can be affected by changes in the secondary structure of mRNA. The dinQ gene in Escherichia coli encodes a primary transcript (+1) that is inert to translation. Ribonucleolytic removal of the 44 first nucleotides converts the +1 transcript into a translationally active form, but the mechanism behind this structural change is unknown. Here we present experimental evidence for a mechanism where alternative RNA secondary structures in the two dinQ mRNA variants affect translation initiation by mediating opening or closing of the ribosome binding sequence. This structural switch is determined by alternative interactions of four sequence elements within the dinQ mRNA and also by the agrB antisense RNA. Additionally, the structural conformation of +1 dinQ suggests a locking m

SUBMITTER: Kristiansen KI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5066626 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature