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Joined 2026-09-21 Message
5S ribosomal RNA 2026-11-05
5S ribosomal RNA is a small, roughly 120-nucleotide ribosomal RNA of the large subunit of cytoplasmic ribosomes. Its folded RNA contributes to the central protuberance, together with ribosomal proteins and parts of the larger ribosomal RNA. In bacterial ribosomes, it associates with the 50S subunit. The name refers to a sedimentation coefficient, not a count of five bases. Its conserved fold contains five helices and five loops.[ref]
Ribosome engineering reveals the importance of 5S rRNA autonomy for ribosome assembly by Shijie Huang and others. Introduction and Figure 1: 120-nucleotide RNA, secondary structure and E. coli large-subunit location
The role of a component can be tested by changing its physical independence. In a 2020 experiment, researchers joined a rearranged 5S sequence to the much larger 23S ribosomal RNA and removed the ordinary free 5S copies from Escherichia coli. Some engineered cells survived and their properly assembled ribosomes remained active in translation. However, defective large subunits accumulated. Cryo-electron microscopy showed malformed regions of the catalytic center in these misassembled particles.[ref]
Ribosome engineering reveals the importance of 5S rRNA autonomy for ribosome assembly by Shijie Huang and others. Results: Generating a bacterial strain devoid of free 5S rRNA; Figures 3 and 6–7
Survival therefore distinguishes the need for the 5S sequence from the need to keep it as a separate RNA; it does not establish that assembly is unaffected.In eukaryotes, 5S ribosomal RNA is transcribed by RNA polymerase III, unlike the major precursor transcribed by RNA polymerase I. The 1974 polymerase study identified the polymerase-III association through distinct inhibition responses of RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei and separated enzyme preparations.[ref]
Role of DNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase III in the Transcription of the tRNA and 5S RNA Genes by Roberto Weinmann and Robert G. Roeder. Abstract: alpha-amanitin inhibition distinguishes synthesis of 5S and larger ribosomal RNAs
Shijie Huang 2026-11-05
Shijie Huang is the first author of a 2020 study testing why 5S ribosomal RNA is normally an independent molecule within the ribosome. The researchers engineered a covalent fusion of rearranged 5S RNA with 23S RNA and produced bacterial cells without free 5S RNA.[ref]
The engineered cells remained viable under the tested standard conditions, and their fully assembled ribosomes could perform translation. However, they accumulated malformed large subunits that failed to form stable complete ribosomes. Cryo-electron microscopy revealed defects near the peptidyl transferase center in these misassembled particles.[ref]
Ribosome engineering reveals the importance of 5S rRNA autonomy for ribosome assembly by Shijie Huang and others. Assembly and cryo-EM results, Figures 3 and 6–7
This separates two questions: whether an altered ribosome can function once assembled, and whether it assembles efficiently. The results support an assembly-related reason for preserving an independent 5S RNA. Viability in one laboratory condition does not establish that the fusion would be equally successful across environments or evolutionary timescales.