Structural basis for the rescue of stalled ribosomes: Structure of YaeJ bound to the ribosome

Matthieu G. Gagnon, Sai V. Seetharaman, David Bulkley, Thomas A. Steitz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

89 Scopus citations

Abstract

In bacteria, the hybrid transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA) rescues ribosomes stalled on defective messenger RNAs (mRNAs). However, certain gram-negative bacteria have evolved proteins that are capable of rescuing stalled ribosomes in a tmRNA-independent manner. Here, we report a 3.2 angstrom - resolution crystal structure of the rescue factor YaeJ bound to the Thermus thermophilus 70S ribosome in complex with the initiator tRNAifMet and a short mRNA. The structure reveals that the C-terminal tail of YaeJ functions as a sensor to discriminate between stalled and actively translating ribosomes by binding in the mRNA entry channel downstream of the A site between the head and shoulder of the 30S subunit. This allows the N-terminal globular domain to sample different conformations, so that its conserved GGQ motif is optimally positioned to catalyze the hydrolysis of peptidyl-tRNA. This structure gives insights into the mechanism of YaeJ function and provides a basis for understanding how it rescues stalled ribosomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1370-1372
Number of pages3
JournalScience
Volume335
Issue number6074
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 16 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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