Protein synthesis release factors

These steps are repeated until the ribosome reaches a three-nu-cleotide sequence that corresponds to a stop codon. Another protein, called release factor, binds to the stop codon, preventing the ribosome from moving there. Additionally, the release factor changes the behavior of the ribosome. Instead of simply sitting on the mRNA waiting for the release factor to move, the ribosome cuts the completed polypeptide chain from the final tRNA molecule to which it is still attached, and the protein floats free into solution. The inactive ribosome then dissociates from the mRNA, floats away, and is free to begin another round of protein synthesis. 

A stop signal is required for the termination of protein synthesis. The codons UAA, UAG, and UGA are the stop signals. These codons are not recognized by any tRNAs, but they are recognized by proteins called release factors (Figure 12.15). One of two protein release factors (RF-1 or RF-2) is required, as is GTP, which is bound to a third release factor, RF-3. RF-1 binds to UAA and UAG, and RF-2 binds to UAA and UGA. RF-3 does not bind to any codon, but it does facilitate the activity of the other two release factors. Either RF-1 or RF-2 is bound near the A site of the ribosome when one of the termination codons is reached. The release factor not only blocks the binding of a new aminoacyl-tRNA but also affects the activity of the peptidyl transferase so that the bond... 

The class III cytokine receptor family includes two TNE receptors, the low affinity NGE receptor and 7-ceU surface recognition sites that appear to play a role in proliferation, apoptosis, and immunodeficiency. TNE-a (- 17, 000 protein) is produced by astrocytes and microglia and can induce fever, induce slow-wave sleep, reduce feeding, stimulate prostaglandin synthesis, stimulate corticotrophin-releasing factor and prolactin secretion, and reduce thyroid hormone secretion. TNE-a stimulates IL-1 release, is cytotoxic to oligodendrocytes, and reduces myelination this has been impHcated in multiple sclerosis and encephalomyelitis. Astrocyte TNE-a receptors mediate effects on IL-6 expression and augment astrocytic expression of MHC in response to other stimulants such as lEN-y. 

Figure 38-9. Diagrammatic representation of the termination process of protein synthesis. The peptidyl-tRNAand aminoacyl-tRNA sites are indicated as P site and A site, respectively. The termination (stop) codon is indicated by the three vertical bars. Releasing factor RF1 binds to the stop codon. Releasing factor RF3, with bound GTP, binds to RFl. Flydrolysisofthe peptidyl-tRNA complex is shown by the entry of HjO. N and C indicate the amino and carboxyl terminal amino acids, respectively, and illustrate the polarity of protein synthesis.

Figure 7.5 Model of ferritin (and erythroid a-aminolaevulinate synthase) translation/ribosome binding regulation by IRP. In (a), with IRP not bound to the IRE (1) binding of the 43S preinitiation complex (consisting of the small ribosomal 40S subunit, GTP and Met-tRNAMet) to the mRNA is assisted by initiation factors associated with this complex, as well as additional eukaryotic initiation factors (elFs) that interact with the mRNA to facilitate 43S association. Subsequently (2), the 43S preinitiation complex moves along the 5 -UTR towards the AUG initiator codon, (3) GTP is hydrolysed, initiation factors are released and assembly of the 80S ribosome occurs. Protein synthesis from the open reading frame (ORF) can now proceed. In (b) With IRP bound to the IRE, access of the 43S preinitiation complex to the mRNA is sterically blocked. From Gray and Hentze, 1994, by permission of Oxford University Press.

Figure 10 Alteration of the genetic code for incorporation of non-natural amino acids, (a) In nonsense suppression, the stop codon UAG is decoded by a non-natural tRNA with the anticodon CUA. In vivo decoding of the UAG codon by this tRNA is in competition with termination of protein synthesis by release factor 1 (RFl). Purified in vitro translation systems allow omission of RF1 from the reaction mixture, (b) A new codon-anticodon pair can be created using four-base codons such as GGGU. Crystal structures of these codon-anticodon complexes in the ribosomal decoding center revealed that the C in the third anticodon position interacts with both the third and fourth codon position (purple line) while the extra A in the anticodon loop does not contact the codon.(c) Non-natural base pairs also allow creation of new codon-anticodon pairs. Shown here is the interaction of the base Y with either base X or (hydrogen bonds are indicated by red dashes).

When any of the three stop (termination or nonsense) codons moves into the A site, peptidyl transferase (with the help of release fector) hydrolyzes the completed protein from the final tRNA in the P site. The mRNA, ribosome, tRNA, and factors can aU be reused for additional protein synthesis,... 

Klaholz BP, Myasnikov AG, Van Heel M (2004) Visualization of release factor 3 on the ribosome during termination of protein synthesis. Nature 427 862-865... 

The ribosome can carry two aminoacyl-tRNAs simultaneously. In the chain elongation stage, the growing polypeptide is carried on one of these tRNAs. The chain is transferred to the second tRNA, which adds its amino acid to the growing peptide, and displaces the first tRNA. The ribosome then moves one codon along the mRNA to allow the next to be read. Termination of protein synthesis involves the release of the completed polypeptide, expulsion of the last tRNA, and dissociation of the ribosome from the mRNA. This is signaled by specific termination codons (UAA, UAG, or UGA) in the mRNA and requires the participation of various release factors. 

FIGURE 27-26 Termination of protein synthesis in bacteria. Termination occurs in response to a termination codon in the A site. First, a release factor, RF (RF-1 or RF-2, depending on which termination codon is present), binds to the A site. This leads to hydrolysis of the ester linkage between the nascent polypeptide and the tRNA in the P site and release of the completed polypeptide. Finally, the mRNA, de-acylated tRNA, and release factor leave the ribosome, and the ribosome dissociates into its 30S and 50S subunits. 

Initiation, elongation, and termination (or release) factors are required for peptide synthesis. Some of these protein factors perform a catalytic function, whereas others appear to stabilize the synthetic machinery. 

Termination Termination begins when one of the three termination codons moves into the A site. These codons are recognized by release factors. The newly synthesized protein is released from the ribosomal complex, and the ribosome is dissociated from the mRNA. Numerous antibiotics interfere with the process of protein synthesis. 

E. coli has three initiation factors (fig. 29.13) bound to a small pool of 30S ribosomal subunits. One of these factors, IF-3, serves to hold the 30S and 50S subunits apart after termination of a previous round of protein synthesis. The other two factors IF-1 and IF-2, promote the binding of both fMet-tRNA,Mel and mRNA to the 30S subunit. As we noted before, the binding of mRNA occurs so that its Shine-Dalgarno sequence pairs with 16S RNA and the initiating AUG sequence with the anticodon of the initiator tRNA. The 30S subunit and its associated factors can bind fMet-tRNAjMet and mRNA in either order. Once these ligands are found, IF-3 dissociates from the 30S, permitting the 50S to join the complex. This releases the remaining initiation factors and hydrolyzes the GTP that is bound to IF-2. The initiation step in prokaryotes requires the hydrolysis of one equivalent of GTP to GDP and Pj. 

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