Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-interacting multifunctional proteins (AIMPs): a triad for cellular homeostasis

IUBMB Life. 2010 Apr;62(4):296-302. doi: 10.1002/iub.324.

Abstract

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are highly conserved for efficient and precise translation of genetic codes. In higher eukaryotic systems, several different ARSs including glutamyl-prolyl-, isoelucyl-, leucyl-, methionyl-, glutaminyl-, lysyl-, arginyl-, and aspartyl-tRNA synthetase form a macromolecular protein complex with three nonenzymatic cofactors (AIMP1/p43, AIMP2/p38, and AIMP3/p18). Although the structure and functional implications for this complex formation are not completely understood, rapidly accumulating evidences suggest that this complex would work as a molecular hub linked to the multiple signaling pathways that involve the components of enzymes and cofactors. In this article, the roles of three nonenzymatic components of the multi-tRNA synthetase complex in the assembly of the components and in cell regulation are addressed.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / chemistry
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / genetics
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Aspartate-tRNA Ligase / metabolism*
  • Cells / metabolism*
  • Cricetinae
  • Eukaryota
  • Homeostasis
  • Physiological Phenomena
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Proteins
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases
  • Aspartate-tRNA Ligase