The Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases

Book excerpt: By virtue of their role as catalysts of the aminoacylation reaction, the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases ensure that the first step of translation is performed quickly and accurately. In this volume of 36 separate chapters, the many facets of this ancient and ubiquitous family are reviewed, including their surprising structural diversity, enzymology, tRNA interaction properties, and curious alternative functions. These chapters illustrate the degree to which the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases employ a variety of mechanisms to carry out both the standard functions related to the synthesis of aminoacylated tRNA for protein synthesis, as well as the surprising functions associated with amino acid biosynthesis, cytokine function, and even the processivity of DNA replication. Other chapters explore the regulation of their synthesis, their role in disease, and their prospects as targets for antibacterial therapeutics. This monograph will be a valuable resource for all scientists interested in the fundamentals of protein synthesis from both a basic research and clinical perspective, as well as the relation of translational components to the evolution of the genetic code.