Ribosome heterogeneity: another level of complexity in bacterial translation regulation.

Ribosome heterogeneity: another level of complexity in bacterial translation regulation.
Curr Opin Microbiol. 2013 Feb 14;
Authors: Byrgazov K, Vesper O, Moll I
Abstract
Translation of the mRNA-encoded genetic information into proteins is catalyzed by the intricate ribonucleoprotein machine, the ribosome. Historically, the bacterial ribosome is viewed as an unchangeable entity, constantly equipped with the entire complement of RNAs and proteins. Conversely, several lines of evidence indicate the presence of functional selective ribosomal subpopulations that exhibit variations in the RNA or the protein components and modulate the translational program in response to environmental changes. Here, we summarize these findings, which raise the functional status of the ribosome from a protein synthesis machinery only to a regulatory hub that integrates environmental cues in the process of protein synthesis, thereby adding an additional level of complexity to the regulation of gene expression.
PMID: 23415603 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Current Opinion in Microbiology - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Byrgazov K, Vesper O, Moll I Tags: Curr Opin Microbiol Source Type: research