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Human mitochondrial ribosomes can switch structural tRNAs - but when and why?

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Chrzanowska-Lightowlers, Z 
Rorbach, J 

Abstract

High resolution cryoEM of mammalian mitoribosomes revealed the unexpected presence of mitochondrially encoded tRNA as a structural component of mitochondrial large ribosomal subunit (mt-LSU). Our previously published data identified that only mitochondrial (mt-) tRNA(Phe) and mt-tRNA(Val) can be incorporated into mammalian mt-LSU and within an organism there is no evidence of tissue specific variation. When mt-tRNA(Val) is limiting, human mitoribosomes can integrate mt-tRNA(Phe) instead to generate a translationally competent monosome. Here we discuss the possible reasons for and consequences of the observed plasticity of the structural mt-tRNA integration. We also indicate potential direction for further research that could help our understanding of the mechanistic and evolutionary aspects of this unprecedented system.

Description

Keywords

mitochondria, human, mammalian, rRNA, ribosomes, tRNA

Journal Title

RNA Biology

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1547-6286
1555-8584

Volume Title

Publisher

Taylor & Francis
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MC_U105697135)
Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00015/4)
Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00015/7)
This work was supported by the Wellcome Trust under Grant 096919/Z/11/Z and Medical Research Council UK under Grant MC_U105697135.