Translation Termination and Yeast Prions (Editor's introductory remarks for the special issue)

摘要

Protein biosynthesis is the final step to realize genetic information in the cell. In turn, its final step is the release of an ascrent protein molecule from the ribosome. Therefore, termination of translation may be considered as a final stepp of the transition from genotype to phenotype through classic DNA-RNA-protein pathway. In a narrow sense, termination of translation is the hydroyitic cleavage of peptidyl-tRNA into free tRNA and completed polypeptide chain carrying all information encoded by corresponding mRNA and DNA. Then the completed protein molecule is released from the ribosome and the ribosome dissociates into its components. After the synthesis is completed, the polypeptide chain is folded either cotranslationally or by an additional specialized mechanism, depending on protein nature, organism, and other factors. This issue highlights from various points the problem of protein synthesis termination, excluding protein folding. Yeast termination factors with prion properties are also considered.