Leishmania 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA)

Leishmania 16S ribosomal RNA is a structural RNA component of the small (SSU) ribosomal subunit in Leishmania species, analogous to the bacterial 16S rRNA, and critical for ribosome function and protein synthesis. In Leishmania mitochondria, this is referred to as 9S rRNA, preserving the characteristic four-domain secondary structure of the bacterial 16S rRNA, albeit in a minimized form. It forms the decoding site essential for interaction with mRNA and tRNAs during translation. The structure and sequence of Leishmania 16S rRNA are distinct from both bacterial and other eukaryotic counterparts, which may impact susceptibility to ribosome-targeting antibiotics and explain unique features of Leishmania translational regulation. Paromomycin, an aminoglycoside, can bind to the decoding site of Leishmania 16S rRNA, leading to inhibition of protein synthesis and parasite death, making the 16S rRNA a validated antileishmanial drug target.

Other names

small subunit ribosomal RNA9S rRNA (in Leishmania mitochondria)SSU rRNA

Aminoglycoside antibiotics (such as paromomycin) bind to the A-site in helix 44 of the 16S rRNA in the small ribosomal subunit, interfering with the accuracy of mRNA decoding and causing protein mistranslation, which results in antiprotozoal activity