T-box leader

The T-box leader element is involved in the regulation of translation associated genes, usually in gram-positive bacteria. Typically T-box leaders are found upstream of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase genes and some amino acid biosynthetic genes. Uncharged tRNA acts as the effector for transcription antitermination of genes in the T-box leader family. The anticodon of a specific tRNA base pairs to a specifier sequence within the T-box motif, and the NCCA acceptor tail of the tRNA base pairs to a conserved bulge in the T-box antiterminator hairpin.