Nascent chain-mediated translation regulation in bacteria: translation arrest and intrinsic ribosome destabilization

Proteins that exsert physiological functions during being translated have been discovered from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. These proteins, also called regulatory nascent chains, are common in interacting co-translationally with the ribosomes to stall them. In most cases, such a translational arrest is induced or released in response to changes in the intracellular environment. Cells take advantage of such an environmental sensitivity as a sensor to feedback-regulate gene expression. Recent studies reveal that certain nascent chains could also destabilize the translating ribosomes, leading to stochastic premature translation termination. In this review, we introduce several examples of bacterial nascent chain-based mechanisms of translation regulation by which bacteria regulate cellular functions.

Automated summary

Proteins with physiological functions have been found to interact with ribosomes and regulate gene expression during translation in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. These regulatory nascent chains, also known as bacterial nascent chain-based mechanisms, can stall ribosomes and control translation arrest. Recent studies have shown that certain nascent chains can destabilize ribosomes and cause premature translation termination. This review highlights the importance of these bacterial mechanisms in regulating cellular functions.