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The involvement of RNA in ribosome function

Nature volume 418, pages 229–235 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

The ribosome is a particle made of RNA and protein that is found in abundance in all cells that are actively making protein. It catalyses the messenger RNA-directed synthesis of proteins. Recent structural work has demonstrated a profound involvement of the ribosome's RNA component in all aspects of its function, supporting the hypothesis that proteins were added to the ribosome late in its evolution.

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Figure 1: The arrangement of tRNA-binding sites on the large ribosomal subunit.
Figure 2: Interactions of the CCA ends of ribosome-bound tRNA with the large ribosomal subunit.
Figure 3: A possible mechanism for the involvement of A2486 (H. marismortui)/A2451 (E. coli) in peptide bond formation.
Figure 4: Fidelity-checking interactions in the A site of the small ribosomal subunit.
Figure 5: Conservation in the large ribosomal subunit.

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Acknowledgements

We have benefited from discussions with our colleagues S. A. Strobel, J. L. Hansen, D. J. Klein and T. M. Schmeing, but the opinions expressed here are our responsibility. This work was supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NIH and the Agouron Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, PO Box 208107, New Haven, 06520-8107, Connecticut, USA

    Peter B. Moore & Thomas A. Steitz

  2. Department of Chemistry, Yale University, PO Box 208107, New Haven, 06520-8107, Connecticut, USA

    Peter B. Moore & Thomas A. Steitz

  3. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New Haven, 06520-8114, Connecticut, USA

    Thomas A. Steitz

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Correspondence to Peter B. Moore.

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Moore, P., Steitz, T. The involvement of RNA in ribosome function. Nature 418, 229–235 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/418229a

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