THE TYMV TRANSFER RNA-LIKE STRUCTURE

The genomic RNA from turnip yellow mosaic virus presents a 3'-end func tionally and structurally related to tRNAs. This report summarizes our knowledge about the peculiar structure of the tRNA-like domain and it s interaction with tRNA specific proteins, like RNAse P, tRNA nucleoti dyl-transferase, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and elongation factors. I t discusses also the biological role of this structure in the viral li fe cycle. A brief survey of our knowledge of other tRNA mimicries in b iological systems, as well as their relevance for understanding canoni cal tRNA, will also be presented.