Mapping the temporality and structural impacts of modifications in Escherichia coli tRNAs

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are essential components of the protein synthesis machinery. Their biogenesis is a highly regulated process that involves the incorporation of numerous post-transcriptional chemical modifications, essential for tRNA folding, cellular stability and function. The sequential process by which these modifications are introduced remains poorly characterized. Previous studies have suggested the existence of modification hierarchies, particularly in the anticodon-loop region, but a