High-resolution Structures of Ribosomal Subunits: Initiation, Inhibition, and Conformational Variability (original) (raw)

Structural basis of the ribosomal machinery for peptide bond formation, translocation, and nascent chain progression

Molecular Cell, 2003

Noller et al., 1992; Garrett and Rodriguez-Fon-Weizmann Institute seca, 1995; Samaha et al., 1995). Crystal structures of 76100 Rehovot complexes of Thermus thermophilus ribosomes (T70S) Israel with tRNA (Yusupov et al., 2001) as well as of the large 2 Max-Planck-Research Unit for Ribosomal Structure ribosomal subunits from the archaeon Haloarcula maris-Notkestrasse 85 mortui (H50S) and the mesophilic eubacterium Deino-22603 Hamburg coccus radiodurans (D50S) with various substrate pepti-Germany dyl-transferase analogs or inhibitors (Nissen et al., 2000; 3 Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Genetics Schluenzen et al., 2001; Schmeing et al., 2002; Hansen Ihnestrasse 73 et al., 2002) show that the PTC can be described as a 4 FB Biologie, Chemie, Pharmazie pocket with a tunnel emerging from it. It is located at Frei University Berlin the bottom of a cavity containing all of the nucleotides Takustrasse 3

The Ribosome: A biochemist's mechano set

Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 1985

A ribosome, the cellular site for protein synthesis, is a very complex organelle composed of a myriad of macromolecular substructures. As models for this complex structure, we have been examining the structures and interactions of eukaryotic 5S and 5.8S rRNAs using adaptations of rapid RNA gel sequencing techniques. Estimates for their higher order structures have been proposed or evaluated, sites of interaction with other ribosomal components have been delineated, and the topography of these RNAs within the intact ribosome or 60S subunit have been examined. The results indicate that a universal structure for the ribosomal RNAs may only be present within the ribosome, that these molecules are probably present, at least in part, within the ribosomal interface, and that the bases for interactions with other ribosomal components are strongly dependent on their higher order structure. The experimental approaches which underlie these studies are considered in this review and the signific...

Intersubunit movement is required for ribosomal translocation

Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences, 2007

Translocation of tRNA and mRNA during protein synthesis is believed to be coupled to structural changes in the ribosome. The ''ratchet model,'' based on cryo-EM reconstructions of ribosome complexes, invokes relative movement of the 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits in this process; however, evidence that directly demonstrates a requirement for intersubunit movement during translocation is lacking. To address this problem, we created an intersubunit disulfide cross-link to restrict potential movement. The cross-linked ribosomes were unable to carry out polypeptide synthesis; this inhibition was completely reversed upon reduction of the disulfide bridge. In vitro assays showed that the cross-linked ribosomes were specifically blocked in elongation factor G-dependent translocation. These findings show that intersubunit movement is required for ribosomal translocation, accounting for the universal two-subunit architecture of ribosomes.

Structures of the Bacterial Ribosome at 3.5 Å Resolution

Science, 2005

We describe two structures of the intact bacterial ribosome from Escherichia coli determined to a resolution of 3.5 angstroms by x-ray crystallography. These structures provide a detailed view of the interface between the small and large ribosomal subunits and the conformation of the peptidyl transferase center in the context of the intact ribosome. Differences between the two ribosomes reveal a high degree of flexibility between the head and the rest of the small subunit. Swiveling of the head of the small subunit observed in the present structures, coupled to the ratchet-like motion of the two subunits observed previously, suggests a mechanism for the final movements of messenger RNA (mRNA) and transfer RNAs (tRNAs) during translocation.

Ribosomal crystallography: Peptide bond formation and its inhibition

Biopolymers, 2003

Ribosomes, the universal cellular organelles catalyzing the translation of genetic code into proteins, are protein/RNA assemblies, of a molecular weight 2.5 mega Daltons or higher. They are built of two subunits that associate for performing protein biosynthesis. The large subunit creates the peptide bond and provides the path for emerging proteins. The small has key roles in initiating the process and controlling its fidelity.

Structure and Dynamics of the Mammalian Ribosomal Pretranslocation Complex

Molecular Cell, 2011

Although the structural core of the ribosome is conserved in all kingdoms of life, eukaryotic ribosomes are significantly larger and more complex than their bacterial counterparts. The extent to which these differences influence the molecular mechanism of translation remains elusive. Multiparticle cryo-electron microscopy and single-molecule FRET investigations of the mammalian pretranslocation complex reveal spontaneous, large-scale conformational changes, including an intersubunit rotation of the ribosomal subunits. Through structurally related processes, tRNA substrates oscillate between classical and at least two distinct hybrid configurations facilitated by localized changes in their L-shaped fold. Hybrid states are favored within the mammalian complex. However, classical tRNA positions can be restored by tRNA binding to the E site or by the eukaryotic-specific antibiotic and translocation inhibitor cycloheximide. These findings reveal critical distinctions in the structural and energetic features of bacterial and mammalian ribosomes, providing a mechanistic basis for divergent translation regulation strategies and species-specific antibiotic action.

Functional aspects of ribosomal architecture: symmetry, chirality and regulation

Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry, 2004

High-resolution structures of both ribosomal subunits revealed that most stages of protein biosynthesis, including decoding of genetic information, are navigated and controlled by the elaborate ribosomal architectural-design. Remote interactions govern accurate substrate alignment within a flexible active-site pocket [peptidyl transferase center (PTC)], and spatial considerations, due mainly to a universal mobile nucleotide, U2585, ensure proper chirality by interfering with D-amino-acids incorporation. tRNA translocation involves two correlated motions: overall mRNA/tRNA (messenger and transfer RNA) shift, and a rotation of the tRNA single-stranded aminoacylated-3′ end around the bond connecting it with the tRNA helical-regions. This bond coincides with an axis passing through a sizable symmetry-related region, identified around the PTC in all large-subunit crystal structures. Propelled by a bulged universal nucleotide, A2602, positioned at the two-fold symmetry axis, and guided by a ribosomal-RNA scaffold along an exact pattern, the rotatory motion results in stereochemistry optimal for peptide-bond formation and in geometry ensuring nascent proteins entrance into their exit tunnel. Hence, confirming that ribosomes contribute positional rather than chemical catalysis, and that peptide bond formation is concurrent with A- to P-site tRNA passage. Connecting between the PTC, the decoding center, the tRNA entrance and exit points, the symmetry-related region can transfer intra-ribosomal signals between remote functional locations, guaranteeing smooth processivity of amino acids polymerization. Ribosomal proteins are involved in accurate substrate placement (L16), discrimination and signal transmission (L22) and protein biosynthesis regulation (CTC). Residing on the exit tunnel walls near its entrance, and stretching to its opening, protein-L22 can mediate ribosome response to cellular regulatory signals, since it can swing across the tunnel, causing gating and elongation arrest. Each of the protein CTC domains has a defined task. The N-terminal domain stabilizes the intersubunit-bridge confining the A-site-tRNA entrance. The middle domain protects the bridge conformation at elevated temperatures. The C-terminal domain can undergo substantial conformational rearrangements upon substrate binding, indicating CTC participation in biosynthesis-control under stressful conditions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Protein Synthesis at Atomic Resolution: Mechanistics of Translation in the Light of Highly Resolved Structures for the Ribosome

Current Protein and Peptide Science, 2002

Our understanding of the process of translation has progressed rapidly since the availability of highly resolved structures for the ribosome. A wealth of information has emerged in terms of both RNA and protein structure and the interplay between them. This has prompted us to revisit the astonishing "treasure trove" of functional data regarding the ribosome that has accumulated over the past decades. Here we try a systematic synopsis of these ribosomal functions in light of the cryo-electron microscopic structures (resolution >7 Å) and the atomic x-ray structures (>2.4 Å) of the ribosome.