Protozoan ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Protozoan ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a fundamental component of the protein-synthesizing machinery in protozoal parasites, serving as the structural and catalytic core of the ribosome (PubMed: 11585578). In protozoa, the ribosome consists of a small subunit (containing 18S rRNA) and a large subunit (containing 28S, 5.8S, and 5S rRNA), which exhibit significant structural differences from human cytoplasmic ribosomes (JBC: 10.1074/jbc.M110.203539). Certain antibiotics, most notably the aminoglycoside paromomycin, selectively target the decoding A-site of the protozoan 18S rRNA (StatPearls: NBK545207). This binding induces conformational changes that interfere with the accuracy of translation, leading to the incorporation of incorrect amino acids or the premature termination of protein synthesis (PubMed: 17071588). This disruption is lethal to various protozoan pathogens, including Leishmania, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia (CDC: Parasites - Leishmaniasis). Because of its essential role in parasite viability and its structural divergence from host rRNA, it serves as a validated target for antiparasitic therapy and a primary tool for molecular diagnostics (PubMed: 25135930).

Other names

Protozoal ribosomal RNA18S ribosomal RNA28S ribosomal RNASmall subunit ribosomal RNALarge subunit ribosomal RNASSU rRNALSU rRNA

Inhibition of protein synthesis by binding to the aminoacyl-tRNA site (A-site) of the small ribosomal subunit (18S rRNA), inducing conformational changes that lead to mRNA misreading and premature termination of translation (StatPearls: NBK545207; PubMed: 17071588).