Knowing when not to stop: selenocysteine incorporation in eukaryotes

Trends Biochem Sci. 1996 Jun;21(6):203-8.

Abstract

The regulation of translation frequently involves protein-RNA interactions. An intriguing example of this is the alternative decoding of UGA, typically a stop codon, as selenocysteine. Two RNA structures, the mRNA selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS element) and a unique selenocysteyl-tRNA, are required for this process. In prokaryotes, a single RNA-binding protein, a selenocysteine-specific elongation factor, interacts with both the tRNA and mRNA to confer decoding. Whether eukaryotes use a similar mechanism is currently the subject of intense investigation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Codon / genetics
  • Codon, Terminator / genetics
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Eukaryotic Cells / chemistry
  • Eukaryotic Cells / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Peptide Elongation Factors / genetics
  • Peptide Elongation Factors / metabolism
  • Prokaryotic Cells / chemistry
  • Prokaryotic Cells / metabolism
  • Protein Biosynthesis / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl / genetics
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Selenium / metabolism*
  • Selenocysteine / genetics*
  • Selenoproteins
  • Trace Elements / metabolism

Substances

  • Codon
  • Codon, Terminator
  • Peptide Elongation Factors
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Selenoproteins
  • Trace Elements
  • selenocysteinyl-tRNA
  • Selenocysteine
  • Selenium