Document Type

Post-Print

Publication Date

2008

Subjects

Transfer RNA, Nucleosides, Nucleic acids, RNA -- Metabolism

Abstract

The maturation of transfer RNA (tRNA) involves extensive chemical modification of the constituent nucleosides and results in the introduction of significant chemical diversity to tRNA. Many of the pathways to these modified nucleosides are characterized by chemically complex transformations, some of which are unprecedented in other areas of biology. To illustrate the scope of the field, recent progress in understanding the enzymology leading to the formation of two distinct classes of modified nucleosides, the thiouridines and queuosine, a 7-deazaguanosine, is reviewed. In particular, recent data validating the involvement of several proposed intermediates in the formation of thiouridines are discussed, including two key enzyme intermediates and the activated tRNA intermediate. The discovery and mechanistic characterization of a new enzyme activity in the queuosine pathway is discussed.

Description

NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Current Opinion in Chemical Biology. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 2008 Apr;12(2):126-33 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2008.01.041

DOI

10.1016/j.cbpa.2008.01.041

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/12453

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