Role of queuosine tRNA modification in the parasitic protist <i>Trypanosoma brucei</i>

Abstract

This study analyzes the queuosine (Q) tRNA modification and the enzyme responsible for Q formation, the tRNA guanine transglycosylase (TGT), in the parasitic protist <i>Trypanosoma brucei</i>. We describe the interdependence of Q modification and tRNA subcellular trafficking, and how these two factors regulate codon biased translation. The effect of Q on translation has serious implications in the virulence of the parasite inside the mammalian host.