Ribosome Shut-Down by 16S rRNA Fragmentation in Stationary-Phase Escherichia coli

J Mol Biol. 2016 May 22;428(10 Pt B):2237-47. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2016.01.033. Epub 2016 Apr 8.

Abstract

Stationary-phase bacterial cells are characterized by vastly reduced metabolic activities yielding a dormant-like phenotype. Several hibernation programs ensure the establishment and maintenance of this resting growth state. Some of the stationary phase-specific modulations affect the ribosome and its translational activity directly. In stationary-phase Escherichia coli, we observed the appearance of a 16S rRNA fragmentation event at the tip of helix 6 within the small ribosomal subunit (30S). Stationary-phase 30S subunits showed markedly reduced activities in protein biosynthesis. On the other hand, the functional performance of stationary-phase large ribosomal subunits (50S) was indistinguishable from particles isolated from exponentially growing cells. Introduction of the 16S rRNA cut in vitro at helix 6 of exponential phase 30S subunits renders them less efficient in protein biosynthesis. This indicates that the helix 6 fragmentation is necessary and sufficient to attenuate translational activities of 30S ribosomal subunits. These results suggest that stationary phase-specific cleavage of 16S rRNA within the 30S subunit is an efficient means to reduce global translation activities under non-proliferating growth conditions.

Keywords: 16S rRNA; 30S ribosomal subunits; RNA cleavage; stationary-phase bacteria; translation.

MeSH terms

  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Protein Biosynthesis / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics*
  • Ribosomal Proteins / genetics
  • Ribosome Subunits / genetics*

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Ribosomal Proteins