Ribosome Fate during Decoding of UGA-Sec Codons
Paul R. Copeland, Michael Howard
Abstract
Decoding of genetic information into polypeptides occurs during translation, generally following the codon assignment rules of the organism's genetic code. However, recoding signals in certain mRNAs can overwrite the normal rules of translation. An exquisite example of this occurs during translation of selenoprotein mRNAs, wherein UGA codons are reassigned to encode for the 21st proteogenic amino acid, selenocysteine. In this review, we will examine what is known about the mechanisms of UGA recoding and discuss the fate of ribosomes that fail to incorporate selenocysteine.
Topics & Concepts
SelenocysteineGenetic codeRibosomeSelenoproteinTranslation (biology)GeneticsStop codonComputational biologyBiologyAmino acidGeneMessenger RNARNABiochemistryEnzymeGlutathioneCysteineGlutathione peroxidaseTrace Elements in HealthSelenium in Biological SystemsRNA modifications and cancer