Online Now: Hypoxia-induced ribosomal RNA modifications in the peptidyl-transferase center contribute to anaerobic growth of bacteria Online now:
Ishiguro et al. identify stereoselective ribose-backbone methylations in the peptidyl-transferase center of E. coli ribosomes, installed by the cobalamin-dependent enzyme RlmX. These methylations, together with ho5C2501, are specifically induced under hypoxia. The hypoxia-induced modifications activate ribosomes, enhancing translational capacity and thereby promoting bacterial fitness in anaerobic conditions.
