9rua
RPS26dC HEK mutant 80S ribosome bound to TISU mRNA (RPS26dC-TISU)
Structural highlights
FunctionRL40_HUMAN Ubiquitin exists either covalently attached to another protein, or free (unanchored). When covalently bound, it is conjugated to target proteins via an isopeptide bond either as a monomer (monoubiquitin), a polymer linked via different Lys residues of the ubiquitin (polyubiquitin chains) or a linear polymer linked via the initiator Met of the ubiquitin (linear polyubiquitin chains). Polyubiquitin chains, when attached to a target protein, have different functions depending on the Lys residue of the ubiquitin that is linked: Lys-6-linked may be involved in DNA repair; Lys-11-linked is involved in ERAD (endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation) and in cell-cycle regulation; Lys-29-linked is involved in lysosomal degradation; Lys-33-linked is involved in kinase modification; Lys-48-linked is involved in protein degradation via the proteasome; Lys-63-linked is involved in endocytosis, DNA-damage responses as well as in signaling processes leading to activation of the transcription factor NF-kappa-B. Linear polymer chains formed via attachment by the initiator Met lead to cell signaling. Ubiquitin is usually conjugated to Lys residues of target proteins, however, in rare cases, conjugation to Cys or Ser residues has been observed. When polyubiquitin is free (unanchored-polyubiquitin), it also has distinct roles, such as in activation of protein kinases, and in signaling.[1] [2] Ribosomal protein L40 is a component of the 60S subunit of the ribosome.[3] [4] Publication Abstract from PubMedThe ribosome mRNA channel is central to translation, yet its role in regulatory mechanisms remains unclear. Using cryo-EM of human ribosomal complexes bound to Kozak and TISU mRNAs from wild-type (WT) and RPS26/eS26 mutant (RPS26dC) cells, we demonstrate that both RPS26/eS26 and mRNA adopt distinct conformations, explaining the opposing effects of RPS26dC on their activity. Translatome studies of WT and RPS26dC reveal AUG-context-dependent changes in 48S and 80S initiation complexes and slower scanning. Downregulated mRNAs are enriched for specific AUG-upstream nucleotides and a -1-cytosine contacting 18S rRNA G1207, an interaction lost in RPS26dC. Strongly affected transcripts include replication-dependent histones, which, despite short 5'UTRs and suboptimal Kozak, exhibit robust translation activity that is RPS26/eS26-dependent. We identify a translational enhancer in the H2B 5'UTR (-16 to -9) overlapping predicted RPS26/eS26-binding sites, with a distinct ribosome-bound conformation. Exploiting these features, we engineered a high-efficiency translational cassette with minimal leaky scanning. These findings underscore the role of the ribosome's mRNA channel in selective translation and its therapeutic potential. Structural and molecular basis of specialized translation mediated by the ribosome mRNA-binding channel.,Fraticelli D, Hiregange DG, Weiss B, Ogran A, Havkin-Solomon T, Roman IM, Bashan A, Yonath A, Dikstein R Nat Commun. 2026 Apr 29. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-72263-5. PMID:42056121[5] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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