New functions of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases beyond translation

Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) have progressively added domains and motifs that have no connection to aminoacylation. These additions equip aaRSs with new functions and correlate with the appearance of new biological processes (such as a circulatory system) during the course of evolution. Over the course of evolution, eukaryotic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) progressively incorporated domains and motifs that have no essential connection to aminoacylation reactions. Their accretive addition to virtually all aaRSs correlates with the progressive evolution and complexity of eukaryotes. Based on recent experimental findings focused on a few of these additions and analysis of the aaRS proteome, we propose that they are markers for aaRS-associated functions beyond translation.