The concept of RNA-assisted protein folding: the role of tRNA

Theor Biol Med Model. 2012 Apr 2:9:10. doi: 10.1186/1742-4682-9-10.

Abstract

We suggest that tRNA actively participates in the transfer of 3D information from mRNA to peptides--in addition to its well-known, "classical" role of translating the 3-letter RNA codes into the one letter protein code. The tRNA molecule displays a series of thermodynamically favored configurations during translation, a movement which places the codon and coded amino acids in proximity to each other and make physical contact between some amino acids and their codons possible. This specific codon-amino acid interaction of some selected amino acids is necessary for the transfer of spatial information from mRNA to coded proteins, and is known as RNA-assisted protein folding.

MeSH terms

  • Codon
  • Humans
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Protein Folding*
  • RNA, Transfer / physiology*
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Codon
  • RNA, Transfer