Transfer RNA anticodon stem-loop (tRNA ASL)

The transfer RNA (tRNA) anticodon stem-loop (ASL) is a fundamental structural component of tRNA molecules, essential for the accurate translation of mRNA into polypeptides. It consists of a seven-nucleotide loop containing the anticodon triplet, supported by a five-base-pair stem. The ASL's primary biological function is to recognize and bind to complementary mRNA codons within the ribosome's decoding center, a process heavily influenced by post-transcriptional modifications that enhance binding affinity and specificity (Agris et al., 2017). In clinical medicine, the ASL-ribosome interface is a major target for aminoglycoside antibiotics, which bind to the 16S rRNA and alter the conformation of the decoding site to favor the acceptance of near-cognate tRNA ASLs, resulting in lethal mistranslation in bacteria (Vicens & Westhof, 2003). Beyond infectious diseases, mutations in the ASL of mitochondrial tRNAs are implicated in severe metabolic disorders like MELAS, while aberrant ASL modification patterns are increasingly recognized as drivers of oncogenesis and neurological decline (Suzuki, 2021). Consequently, the ASL represents a sophisticated target for both traditional antimicrobial agents and emerging RNA-based precision therapies.

Other names

tRNA anticodon armAnticodon stem-loopASLtRNA decoding loop

Stabilization of the codon-anticodon interaction at the ribosomal A-site, leading to misreading of the genetic code and inhibition of protein synthesis.