A ribosomal frameshift allows alternative translation of a mRNA sequence by changing the open reading frame

Open reading frame

In molecular genetics, an open reading frame is a DNA sequence that does not contain a stop codon in a given reading frame.Normally, inserts which interrupt the reading frame of a subsequent region after the start codon cause frameshift mutation of the sequence and dislocate the sequences for stop...

. It is commonly found in viruses including barley yellow dwarf virus, potato leafroll virus

Potato leafroll virus

Potato leafroll virus is a member of the genus Polerovirus and family Luteoviridae. The phloem limited positive sense RNA virus infects potatos and other members of the family Solanaceae. PLRV was first described by Quanjer et. al. in 1916. PLRV is transmitted by aphids, primarily the green...

 and simian retrovirus-1. Ribosomal frameshifting is promoted by a pseudoknot structure and slippery sequence (usually UUUAAAC). It is often required for translation of putative RNA

RNA

Ribonucleic acid , or RNA, is one of the three major macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life....

-dependent RNA polymerase

RNA polymerase

RNA polymerase is an enzyme that produces RNA. In cells, RNAP is needed for constructing RNA chains from DNA genes as templates, a process called transcription. RNA polymerase enzymes are essential to life and are found in all organisms and many viruses...

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See also

• Translational frameshift
  Translational frameshift
  Translational frameshifting or ribosomal frameshifting refers to an alternate process of protein translation. A protein is translated from one end of the mRNA to the other, from the 5' to the 3' end. Normally a protein is translated from a template mRNA with consecutive blocks of 3 nucleotides...
  
  
• HIV Ribosomal frameshift signal
  HIV Ribosomal frameshift signal
  The HIV ribosomal frameshift signal is an RNA element. HIV uses a system called −1 ribosomal frameshifting to produce the required ratio of Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins. The stem-loop structure of the frameshift signal is thought to impede the ribosome and cause slippage in the 5' direction, this...