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-Structure paper
Title | Visualization of two transfer RNAs trapped in transit during elongation factor G-mediated translocation. |
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Journal, issue, pages | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, Vol. 110, Issue 52, Page 20964-20969, Year 2013 |
Publish date | Dec 24, 2013 |
Authors | David J F Ramrath / Laura Lancaster / Thiemo Sprink / Thorsten Mielke / Justus Loerke / Harry F Noller / Christian M T Spahn / |
PubMed Abstract | During protein synthesis, coupled translocation of messenger RNAs (mRNA) and transfer RNAs (tRNA) through the ribosome takes place following formation of each peptide bond. The reaction is ...During protein synthesis, coupled translocation of messenger RNAs (mRNA) and transfer RNAs (tRNA) through the ribosome takes place following formation of each peptide bond. The reaction is facilitated by large-scale conformational changes within the ribosomal complex and catalyzed by elongtion factor G (EF-G). Previous structural analysis of the interaction of EF-G with the ribosome used either model complexes containing no tRNA or only a single tRNA, or complexes where EF-G was directly bound to ribosomes in the posttranslocational state. Here, we present a multiparticle cryo-EM reconstruction of a translocation intermediate containing two tRNAs trapped in transit, bound in chimeric intrasubunit ap/P and pe/E hybrid states. The downstream ap/P-tRNA is contacted by domain IV of EF-G and P-site elements within the 30S subunit body, whereas the upstream pe/E-tRNA maintains tight interactions with P-site elements of the swiveled 30S head. Remarkably, a tight compaction of the tRNA pair can be seen in this state. The translocational intermediate presented here represents a previously missing link in understanding the mechanism of translocation, revealing that the ribosome uses two distinct molecular ratchets, involving both intra- and intersubunit rotational movements, to drive the synchronous movement of tRNAs and mRNA. |
External links | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A / PubMed:24324168 / PubMed Central |
Methods | EM (single particle) |
Resolution | 6.8 Å |
Structure data | |
Chemicals | ChemComp-FUA: ChemComp-GDP: |
Source |
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Keywords | RIBOSOME/TRANSLATION / translocation intermediate / EF-G / head swiveling / RIBOSOME-TRANSLATION complex |