Intersubunit Bridges of the Bacterial Ribosome

• Published in: Journal of molecular biology Vol. 428; no. 10; pp. 2146 - 2164
• Main Authors: Liu, Qi, Fredrick, Kurt
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 22.05.2016
• Subjects: Bacteria; Protein Biosynthesis - genetics; Protein Biosynthesis - physiology; protein synthesis; Ribosomes - genetics; Ribosomes - metabolism; Ribosomes - physiology; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; RNA, Transfer - genetics; RNA, Transfer - metabolism; rRNA; translation; tRNA; CTD; tRNA; 30SIC; rRNA; translation; PoTC; protein synthesis; 70SIC; cryo-EM; PTC; NTD
• ISSN: 0022-2836; 1089-8638
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2016.02.009

The ribosome is a large two-subunit ribonucleoprotein machine that translates the genetic code in all cells, synthesizing proteins according to the sequence of the mRNA template. During translation, the primary substrates, transfer RNAs, pass through binding sites formed between the two subunits. Multiple interactions between the ribosomal subunits, termed intersubunit bridges, keep the ribosome intact and at the same time govern dynamics that facilitate the various steps of translation such as transfer RNA–mRNA movement. Here, we review the molecular nature of these intersubunit bridges, how they change conformation during translation, and their functional roles in the process. [Display omitted] •Structures of intersubunit bridges•Inferred dynamics of bridges•Functional roles of bridges