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Researchers observe spontaneous 'ratcheting' of single ribosome molecules
Date:6/5/2008

ng the ribosome in its rotated position until the deacylated tRNAs reposition themselves in the molecule as they move toward the exit. Once the tRNAs have accomplished this, the EF-G goes away, the ribosome ratchets back into its non-rotated position and the process begins again.

The researchers propose that this ratcheting motion allows the ribosome to advance along the messenger RNA as protein translation progresses. Without EF-G, the ribosomal subunits move in relation to one another, but are unable to progress along the messenger RNA as a protein is built.

"Many people would argue that the ribosome is one of the most important machines in our cells," Ha said. "What's really amazing is that it is such a massive complex that is still able to move spontaneously, to rock back and forth at a fairly rapid rate. And that movement is not just some random movement, but it's the most important movement of the ribosome for its locomotion."

Future studies will use FRET by labeling both the ribosomal subunits and the messenger RNA to see if the movement of the subunits and the ribosome's transit along the messenger RNA are synchronized, Ha said.


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Contact: Diana Yates
diya@illinois.edu
217-333-5802
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Source:Eurekalert  

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Researchers observe spontaneous 'ratcheting' of single ribosome molecules
Researchers observe spontaneous 'ratcheting' of single ribosome molecules