Molecular recognition governing the initiation of translation in Escherichia coli. A review

Biochimie. 1996;78(7):543-54. doi: 10.1016/s0300-9084(96)80001-0.

Abstract

Selection of the proper start codon for the synthesis of a polypeptide by the Escherichia coli translation initiation apparatus involves several macromolecular components. These macromolecules interact in a specific and concerted manner to yield the translation initiation complex. This review focuses on recent data concerning the properties of the initiator tRNA and of enzymes and factors involved in the translation initiation process. The three initiation factors, as well as methionyl-tRNA synthetase and methionyl-tRNA(f)Met formyltransferase are described. In addition, the tRNA recognition properties of EF-Tu and peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase are considered. Finally, peptide deformylase and methionine aminopeptidase, which catalyze the amino terminal maturation of nascent polypeptides, can also be associated to the translation initiation process.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amidohydrolases*
  • Aminopeptidases / metabolism
  • Anticodon
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Methionine-tRNA Ligase / metabolism
  • Methionyl Aminopeptidases
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Peptide Elongation Factor Tu / metabolism
  • Peptide Initiation Factors / metabolism
  • Prokaryotic Initiation Factor-2
  • Prokaryotic Initiation Factor-3
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Transfer, Met / metabolism
  • Ribosomes / metabolism
  • Software

Substances

  • Anticodon
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Peptide Initiation Factors
  • Prokaryotic Initiation Factor-2
  • Prokaryotic Initiation Factor-3
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Transfer, Met
  • Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases
  • aminoacyl-tRNA hydrolase
  • Aminopeptidases
  • Methionyl Aminopeptidases
  • Amidohydrolases
  • peptide deformylase
  • Peptide Elongation Factor Tu
  • Methionine-tRNA Ligase