Protein translation consists in translating the genetic information carried by the mRNA to amino acids. This process is performed by the ribosome that is essentially universally conserved in all cells. However, its structure and assembly present significant differences between bacteria and eukaryotes. Partly because of these differences, the bacterial ribosome can be targeted specifically by a number of antibiotics without hindering the translation process in the eukaryotic host cells. However, the relative conservation of the ribosome among eukaryotes complicates substantially the search for specific drugs against eukaryotic pathogens such as certain protozoa like Plasmodia and kinetoplastids.
Our previous work along with other studies demonstrates the existence of significant structural differences between ribosomes of certain protozoa and mammals. Using Cryogenic electron microscopy, we endeavor to investigate such ribosomal structural differences. It is anticipated that, because of their location on the ribosome, the structural differences will affect some of the vital steps of protein translation especially the initiation process. Thus, we focused on the structural differences distinguishing this process in trypanosomes from their hosts, which implies investigating the initiation process in both interacting organisms. More broadly, we have closely investigated the structure of kinatoplastids-specific features of their translation machineries.
Our results revealed for the first time the structure of mRNA initiation complexes from kinetoplastids, which we then compared to its counterpart complex from mammals, after solving the structure of the latter at high-resolution at its late stage. Our investigation of the kinatoplastids-specific mRNA translation machineries, both in the cytosol and the mitochondria, revealed an important number of species-specific ribosomal RNA and protein elements. Finally, as one of the numerous possible hosts for kinetoplastids, we have characterized for the first time the structure of the mitochondrial ribosomes from plants, along with the structure of one of its respiratory complexes.
Our results have significantly advanced our understanding of protein translation in kinetoplastids and their hosts, and represent a promising step in future research for more efficient treatments against eukaryotic pathogens.
