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
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Base Sequence
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Codon / genetics
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Codon, Terminator / genetics
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Conserved Sequence
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Eukaryotic Cells / chemistry
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Eukaryotic Cells / metabolism
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Models, Biological
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Nucleic Acid Conformation
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Peptide Elongation Factors / genetics
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Peptide Elongation Factors / metabolism
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Prokaryotic Cells / chemistry
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Prokaryotic Cells / metabolism
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Protein Biosynthesis / genetics
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Proteins / metabolism
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl / genetics
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RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl / metabolism*
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RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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Selenium / metabolism*
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Selenocysteine / genetics*
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Selenoproteins
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Trace Elements / metabolism
Substances
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Codon
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Codon, Terminator
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Peptide Elongation Factors
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Proteins
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RNA, Messenger
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RNA, Transfer, Amino Acyl
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RNA-Binding Proteins
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Selenoproteins
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Trace Elements
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selenocysteinyl-tRNA
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Selenocysteine
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Selenium