Arrangement of tRNAs in Pre- and Posttranslocational Ribosomes Revealed by Electron Cryomicroscopy

The three-dimensional structure of the translating 70S E. coli ribosome is presented in its two main conformations: the pretranslocational and the posttranslocational states. Using electron cryomicroscopy and angular reconstitution, structures at 20 Å resolution were obtained, which, when compared w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cell 1997-01, Vol.88 (1), p.19-28
Main Authors: Stark, Holger, Orlova, Elena V, Rinke-Appel, Jutta, Jünke, Nicole, Mueller, Florian, Rodnina, Marina, Wintermeyer, Wolfgang, Brimacombe, Richard, van Heel, Marin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Binding Sites
Escherichia coli
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods
Microscopy, Electron - methods
Models, Molecular
Polyribosomes - ultrastructure
Protein Biosynthesis
Ribosomes - ultrastructure
RNA, Transfer - ultrastructure
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Summary:The three-dimensional structure of the translating 70S E. coli ribosome is presented in its two main conformations: the pretranslocational and the posttranslocational states. Using electron cryomicroscopy and angular reconstitution, structures at 20 Å resolution were obtained, which, when compared with our earlier reconstruction of “empty” ribosomes, showed densities corresponding to tRNA molecules—at the P and E sites for posttranslocational ribosomes and at the A and P sites for pretranslocational ribosomes. The P-site tRNA lies directly above the bridge connecting the two ribosomal subunits, with the A-site tRNA fitted snugly against it at an angle of ∼50°, toward the L7/L12 side of the ribosome. The E-site tRNA appears to lie between the side lobe of the 30S subunit and the L1 protuberance.
ISSN:0092-8674
1097-4172
DOI:10.1016/S0092-8674(00)81854-1