Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases: a complex system beyond protein synthesis Authors Teresa Bori-Sanz Tanit Guitart Lluís Ribas i de Pouplana Abstract Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are enzymes that translate the genetic code by adding amino acids to their cognate transfer RNAs (tRNA). Aminoacylated tRNAs can then be used by the ribosome to decode mRNA. The essential role of ARSs was established in the 1960s, during the golden era of molecular biology that led to the discovery of the genetic code. The canonical role of these enzymes is now described in all textbooks. Remarkably, however, interest in ARS function continues to grow as new and unexpected functions are discovered for these enzymes, for tRNA, and for RNA in general. This article describes current progress in the field of ARS research, summarizes current thinking about the evolution of ARSs, introduces the readers to the many facets of cellular biology in which ARSs play an important role, and discusses the biotechnological applications derived from these studies. Downloads Text complet (Català) PDF Published 2007-09-14 Issue 3-2 Section Research reviews License This work is subject, unless the contrary is indicated in the text, the photographs or in other illustrations, to an Attribution —Non-Commercial— No Derivative Works 3.0 Creative Commons License, the full text of which can be consulted at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/. You are free to share, copy, distribute and transmit the work provided that the author is credited and reuse of the material is restricted to non-commercial purposes only and that no derivative works are created from the original material.