An RNA structural switch controlling bacterial toxin translation - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #bacterial toxin translation
- #translation initiation
- #RNA structural switch
- Type I toxin-antitoxin systems (T1TAs) use diverse molecular mechanisms for posttranscriptional control to prevent unintended toxin synthesis.
- The enterobacterial timPR system employs an RNA-based mechanism for translation initiation control, differing from most T1TAs that rely on mRNA processing.
- Translation initiation at timP requires formation of a pseudoknot in the 5' UTR and a long-range interaction that destabilizes the ribosome-binding-site-sequestering stem-loop.
- An alternative RNA interaction locks the mRNA in an inactive state, showcasing a structural RNA switch for toxin expression control without enzymatic processing.
- The study identifies key RNA interactions governing the switch, revealing an alternative mechanism for translation initiation in bacteria.