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Mechanism Unveiled for Resolving Ribosomal Tunnel Blockage — YheS Pulls tRNA to Restart Ribosomes — [University of Tokyo, Tokyo University of Science, Okayama University, Japan Science and Technology Agency]

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Published Jun 16, 2026 12:33 PM ・ Updated Jun 16, 2026 3:55 AM ・ 13 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

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⚡ Key Points

A joint research team from the University of Tokyo, Tokyo University of Science, Okayama University, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) has elucidated the molecular mechanism by which the protein YheS restarts translation by extracting tRNA from stalled ribosomes.
Using cryo-electron microscopy, they determined the 3D structure of the complex formed between YheS and ribosomes arrested during SecM synthesis.
This discovery deepens understanding of a fundamental life process and holds promise for precise control of protein expression and optimized production of useful proteins in biomanufacturing.

A joint research team from the University of Tokyo, Tokyo University of Science, Okayama University, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) has elucidated the molecular mechanism by which the protein YheS restarts translation by extracting tRNA from stalled ribosomes. Using cryo-electron microscopy, they determined the 3D structure of the complex formed between YheS and ribosomes arrested during SecM synthesis. This discovery deepens understanding of a fundamental life process and holds promise for precise control of protein expression and optimized production of useful proteins in biomanufacturing.

PRIMARY SOURCE PR TIMES View source Distributor: PR TIMES
Published: Jun 16, 2026

This is a press release on joint research results from the University of Tokyo, Tokyo University of Science, Okayama University, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

June 16, 2026 Okayama University, National University Corporation

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

The molecular mechanism by which the protein YheS restarts translation by extracting tRNA during ribosomal stalling has been elucidated.

By combining an E. coli cell-free translation system with cryo-electron microscopy analysis, the 3D structure of the complex formed between ribosomes stalled during SecM synthesis and YheS was determined.

This discovery deepens understanding of translation arrest, a fundamental life process, and is expected to contribute in the future to the precise control of protein expression and the optimization of useful protein production in biomanufacturing.

◆ Overview

A research group led by Kaishi Iso (graduate student), Associate Professor Yuzuru Itoh, and Professor Osamu Nureki (also Special Professor at the Research Center for Cell Control Engineering, Institute of Science Tokyo) from the Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo; Kohei Yamasaki (graduate student) and Associate Professor Yuhei Chadani from the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University; Toma Ikeda (graduate student), Assistant Professor Tadaomi Furuta, and Professor Hideki Taguchi from the Research Center for Cell Control Engineering, Institute of Science Tokyo, has determined the 3D structure of the complex between the translation regulator YheS and ribosomes arrested during SecM synthesis using cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) structural analysis.

Based on the 3D structure, mutational analysis and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to clarify the mechanism by which YheS resolves translational arrest.

This work was published on June 15, 2026.

Structure of the SecM peptide after arrest release by YheS

◆ Paper Information Journal: Nature Communications Title: Structural insights into YheS-mediated release of SecM-arrested ribosome Authors: Kaishi Iso*, Toma Ikeda*, Kohei Yamasaki*, Yushin Ando, Fumiya K. Sano, Tadaomi Furuta, Hideki Taguchi**, Osamu Nureki**, Yuhei Chadani**, Yuzuru Itoh** (*co-first authors, **corresponding authors) (Published June 9) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-72863-1 URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-72863-1

◆ Research Funding This research was supported by JSPS Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research: “Transformative Research Areas (A)” (Grant Number: JP20H05925), “Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (S)” (JP25H00438), “Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)” (JP23H02410), “Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)” (JP22H02553), “Special Research Projects” (JP26H00007); JST's “PRESTO” (Grant Number: JPMJPR24OC) and “CREST” (JPMJCR20E2); AMED's “BINDS” (JP25am121002); the Japanese Applied Enzyme Society; the Takeda Science Foundation; the Yamada Science Foundation; the Inamori Foundation; the Noda Institute for Scientific Research; and the Senri Life Science Promotion Foundation.

◆ Detailed Research Content Mechanism Unveiled for Resolving Ribosomal Tunnel Blockage — YheS Pulls tRNA to Restart Ribosomes —

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/up_load_files/press_r8/press20260615-1.pdf

◆ Inquiries <Regarding Research Content> Associate Professor Yuzuru Itoh, Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo TEL: 03-5841-4391

<Institutional Contact> Public Relations Office, Graduate School of Science and Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo TEL: 03-5841-8856

Public Relations Division, General Affairs and Planning Department, Tokyo University of Science TEL: 03-5734-2975

Public Relations Division, Japan Science and Technology Agency TEL: 03-5214-8404

Life Innovation Group, Strategic Research Promotion Department, Japan Science and Technology Agency Mihoko Okishiro TEL: 03-3512-3524

<For Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Companies Regarding Collaboration with Okayama University Hospital> Center for Innovative Therapeutics Development, Okayama University Hospital 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558 Please inquire via the following URL for relevant matters: http://shin-iryo.hospital.okayama-u.ac.jp/ph_company/

<For Medical Professionals and Researchers Regarding Collaboration with Okayama University Hospital> Division of Research Promotion, Okayama University Hospital, Liaison for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558 TEL: 086-235-7983 E-mail: ouh-csnw◎adm.okayama-u.ac.jp ※ Replace ◎ with @ http://shin-iryo.hospital.okayama-u.ac.jp/medical/

<For Inquiries Regarding Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration at Okayama University> Headquarters for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration, Research and Innovation Co-Creation Organization, Okayama University 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8530 Okayama University Tsushima Campus, 1st Floor, Main Building TEL: 086-251-8463 E-mail: sangaku◎okayama-u.ac.jp ※ Replace ◎ with @ https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/

<For Inquiries Regarding Shared Research Equipment (Core Facilities) at Okayama University> Task Force for Promoting Strengthening of Shared Research Equipment Systems (Short name: Team Kyoyou) 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8530 Okayama University Tsushima Campus, 1st Floor, Main Building TEL: 086-251-8705 FAX: 086-251-7114 E-mail: cfp◎okayama-u.ac.jp ※ Replace ◎ with @ https://corefacility-potal.fsp.okayama-u.ac.jp/

<For Inquiries Regarding Startups and Ventures at Okayama University> Headquarters for Startup and Venture Creation, Research and Innovation Co-Creation Organization, Okayama University 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8530 Okayama University Tsushima Campus, 1st Floor, Main Building E-mail: start-up1◎adm.okayama-u.ac.jp ※ Replace ◎ with @ https://venture.okayama-u.ac.jp/

Okayama University Media 'OTD' (App): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/00000

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Source: PR TIMES
Category: News

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Announced　Jun 16, 2026 12:33 PM — Distributor PR TIMES
Collected　Jun 16, 2026 3:51 AM
AI structured & analyzed　Jun 16, 2026 3:55 AM
Desk-reviewed & published　Jun 16, 2026 12:33 PM

FAQ

What is the function of the YheS protein?

YheS resolves ribosomal translation arrest by extracting stalled tRNA to restart protein synthesis.

What key technologies were used in this study?

Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) and molecular dynamics simulations were central to the analysis.

Where was the research published?

The findings were published in Nature Communications on June 9, 2026.

Which universities collaborated on this research?

The University of Tokyo, Tokyo University of Science, and Okayama University, supported by JST.

What are the potential applications of this discovery?

Optimized protein production for biopharmaceuticals and synthetic biology systems.

Cite this article — HOW TO CITE

Washin AI News Desk“Mechanism Unveiled for Resolving Ribosomal Tunnel Blockage — YheS Pulls tRNA to Restart Ribosomes — [University of Tokyo, Tokyo University of Science, Okayama University, Japan Science and Technology Agency]”AI News by Washin Village（和心村）, Jun 16, 2026. https://aeo.washinmura.jp/ai/okayama-u-ac-jp/en/news/2026-06-16-%E3%83%AA%E3%83%9C%E3%82%BD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%81%AE%E3%83%88%E3%83%B3%E3%83%8D%E3%83%AB%E3%81%AE%E8%A9%B0%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8A%E3%82%92%E8%A7%A3%E6%B6%88%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E3%83%A1%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8B%E3%82%BA%E3%83%A0%E3%81%AE%E8%A7%A3%E6%98%8E-yhes%E3%81%8Ctrna%E3%82%92%E5%BC%95%E3%81%A3

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