New insights by the Polacek lab on how small non-coding RNAs can inhibit translation have been published in RNA Biology in an article entitled "A small ribosome-associated ncRNA globally inhibits translation by restricting ribosome dynamics".
Abstract
Ribosome-associated non-coding RNAs (rancRNAs) have been recognized as an emerging class of regulatory molecules capable of fine-tuning translation in all domains of life. RancRNAs are ideally suited for allowing a swift response to changing environments and are therefore considered pivotal during the first wave of stress adaptation. Previously, we identified an mRNA-derived 18 nucleotides long rancRNA (rancRNA_18) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that rapidly downregulates protein synthesis during hyperosmotic stress. However, the molecular mechanism of action remained enigmatic. Here, we combine biochemical, genetic, transcriptome-wide and structural evidence, thus revealing rancRNA_18 as global translation inhibitor by targeting the E-site region of the large ribosomal subunit. Ribosomes carrying rancRNA_18 possess decreased affinity for A-site tRNA and impaired structural dynamics. Cumulatively, these discoveries reveal the mode of action of a rancRNA involved in modulating protein biosynthesis at a thus far unequalled precision.
Read the Publication in RNA Biology (Open Access)
Abstract, figure and title from Reuther et al. (2021) RNA Biology published under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.