Ribosomes lacking bS21 gain function to regulate protein synthesis in Flavobacterium johnsoniae

ABSTRACT: Ribosomes of Bacteroidia (formerly Bacteroidetes) fail to recognize Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequences even though they harbor the anti-SD (ASD) of 16S rRNA. This is due to sequestration of the 3’ tail of 16S rRNA in a pocket formed by bS21, bS18, and bS6 on the 30S platform, which functionally occludes the ASD. Interestingly, in many Flavobacteriales, the gene encoding bS21, rpsU, contains an extended SD sequence. In this work, we present genetic and biochemical evidence that bS21 synthesis in Flavobacterium johnsoniae is autoregulated via a subpopulation of ribosomes that specifically lack bS21. Mutation or depletion of bS21 in the cell specifically increases translation of reporters with strong SD sequences, such as rpsU’-gfp. Purified ribosomes lacking bS21 (or its C-terminal region) exhibit higher rates of initiation on rpsU mRNA and lower rates of initiation on other (SD-less) mRNAs than control ribosomes. The mechanism of autoregulation depends on extensive pairing between mRNA and 16S rRNA, and exceptionally strong SD sequences, with predicted pairing free energies of < –13 kcal/mol, are characteristic of rpsU across the Bacteroidia. To our knowledge, this is the first example of biochemically-verified specialized ribosomes with a clear regulatory purpose.

INSTRUMENT(S): Bruker Daltonics instrument model

ORGANISM(S): Flavobacterium Johnsoniae

SUBMITTER: Jenny Moon  

LAB HEAD: Kurt Fredrick

PROVIDER: PXD036353 | Pride | 2023-03-11

REPOSITORIES: Pride