Abstract
Although the genetic code is degenerate, synonymous codons for the same amino acid are not translated equally. Codon-specific translation is important for controlling gene expression and determining the proteome of a cell. At the molecular level, codon-specific translation is regulated by post-transcriptional epigenetic modifications of tRNA primarily at the wobble position 34 and at position 37 on the 3′-side of the anticodon. Modifications at these positions determine the quality of codon-anticodon pairing and the speed of translation on the ribosome. Different modifications operate in distinct mechanisms of codon-specific translation, generating a diversity of regulation that is previously unanticipated. Here we summarize recent work that demonstrates codon-specific translation mediated by the m1G37 methylation of tRNA at CCC and CCU codons for proline, an amino acid that has unique features in translation.
Highlights
Frontiers in GeneticsThe genetic code is degenerate, synonymous codons for the same amino acid are not translated
The redundancy of the genetic code offers an opportunity for fine-tuning of protein synthesis, virtually at every codon position
While we present one example in the regulation of bacterial Mg2+ homeostasis by the m1G37 modification of tRNA (Gall et al, 2016), there are increasing studies demonstrating the ability of post-transcriptional modifications in the anticodon region to alter protein expression
Summary
The genetic code is degenerate, synonymous codons for the same amino acid are not translated . Codon-specific translation is important for controlling gene expression and determining the proteome of a cell. Codonspecific translation is regulated by post-transcriptional epigenetic modifications of tRNA primarily at the wobble position 34 and at position 37 on the 3 -side of the anticodon. Modifications at these positions determine the quality of codon-anticodon pairing and the speed of translation on the ribosome. Different modifications operate in distinct mechanisms of codon-specific translation, generating a diversity of regulation that is previously unanticipated.
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