Release factor

A release factor is a protein that allows for the termination of translation by recognizing the termination codon or stop codon in an mRNA sequence. They are named so because they release new peptides from the ribosome. A release factor is a protein that allows for the termination of translation by recognizing the termination codon or stop codon in an mRNA sequence. They are named so because they release new peptides from the ribosome. During translation of mRNA, most codons are recognized by 'charged' tRNA molecules, called aminoacyl-tRNAs because they are adhered to specific amino acids corresponding to each tRNA's anticodon. In the standard genetic code, there are three mRNA stop codons: UAG ('amber'), UAA ('ochre'), and UGA ('opal' or 'umber'). Although these stop codons are triplets just like ordinary codons, they are not decoded by tRNAs. It was discovered by Mario Capecchi in 1967 that, instead, tRNAs do not ordinarily recognize stop codons at all, and that what he named 'release factor' was not a tRNA molecule but a protein. Later, it was demonstrated that different release factors recognize different stop codons. There are two classes of release factors. Class 1 release factors recognize stop codons; they bind to the A site of the ribosome in a way mimicking that of tRNA, releasing the new polypeptide as it disassembles the ribosome. Class 2 release factors are GTPases that enhance the activity of class 1 release factors. It helps the class 1 RF dissociate from the ribosome. Bacterial release factors include RF1, RF2, and RF3 (or PrfA, PrfB, PrfC in the 'peptide release factor' gene nomenclature). RF1 and RF2 are class 1 RFs: RF1 recognizes UAA and UAG while RF2 recognizes UAA and UGA. RF3 is the class 2 release factor. Eukaryotic and archaeal release factors are similar, with the naming changed to 'eRF' for 'eukaryotic release factor' and vice versa. a/eRF1 can recognize all three stop codons, while eRF3 (there is none known in archaea) works just like RF3. a/eRF1 (InterPro: IPR004403) show significant sequence similarity with their bacterial counterparts and are considered to form a separate family. Bacterial RF3 are similar to EF-G while eukaryotic eRF3 is similar to eEF-1α. In line with their symbiotic origin, eukaryotic mitochrondria and plastids use bacterial-type class I release factors. As of April 2019, no definite reports of an organellar class II release factor can be found. Crystal structures have been solved for bacterial 70S ribosome bound to each of the three release factors, revealing details in codon recognition by RF1/2 and the EF-G-like rotation of EF3. Cryo-EM structures have been obtained for eukaryotic mamallian 80S ribosome bound to eRF1 and/or eRF3, providing a view of structural rearrangements caused by the factors. Fitting the EM images to previously known crystal structures of individual parts provides identification and a more detailed view of the process. In both systems, (e)RF3 binds to the universal GTPase site on the ribosome.