Discriminating among the discriminator bases of tRNAs

Chem Biol. 1997 Feb;4(2):93-6. doi: 10.1016/s1074-5521(97)90252-0.

Abstract

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases must select their specific tRNAs from the 20 structurally similar tRNAs present in a cell. The discriminator base, at position 73 of the tRNA, is important for this selection but its effects on aminoacylation are variable depending on context. Recent structural studies provide insight into this variability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / metabolism
  • Crystallization
  • Escherichia coli
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*
  • Protein Conformation
  • RNA, Transfer / chemistry*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Yeasts

Substances

  • RNA, Transfer
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases