Processing, modification and quality-control of Bacillus subtilis ribosomal RNAs – ARNr-PMQC

Ribosomes, the large ribonucleoprotein complexes that carry out protein synthesis, are essential for life. ARNr-PMQC aims to tackle new issues related to ribosomal RNA (rRNA) processing, modification and quality control in the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis. Maturation of rRNAs involves the trimming of 5'- and 3'-extensions by specific ribonucleases (RNases) and the incorporation of post-transcriptional modifications (PTMs) by modification enzymes. Defects in these processes can lead to alteration of ribosome function and/or degradation of rRNA. In Bacillus, many of these steps use ribosomal proteins as co-factors thus linking rRNA maturation to quality control (QC) of correct ribosome assembly. In this project, we aim to solve the structures of key rRNA maturation complexes involving both RNases and modification enzymes, and explore a new QC link between the modification of rRNA and mRNA stability upon ribosome pausing.