The Roles of RNA in the Synthesis of Protein
The crystal structures of ribosomes that have been obtained since 2000 have transformed our understanding of protein synthesis. In addition to proving that RNA is responsible for catalyzing peptide bond formation, these structures have provided important insights into the mechanistic details of how the ribosome functions. This review emphasizes what has been learned about the mechanism of peptide bond formation, the antibiotics that inhibit ribosome function, and the fidelity of decoding. Outline 1 Introduction 2 The role of the ribosome in protein synthesis 3 Ribosome crystal structures 4 The PTC is made of RNA 5 What does the RNA in the PTC do to promote peptide bond formation? 6 Complexes with both A-and P-site substrates bound 7 The transition state intermediate and its possible stabilization 8 Metal ions in the PTC? 9 Protection of peptidyl-tRNA from hydrolysis and induced-fit activation of peptide synthesis 10 Release factors are tRNA mimics 11 Binding of the CCA end of tRNA to E site of the large subunit 12 Inhibition of the peptidyl transferase reaction by antibiotics 13 Translational fidelity 14 The tRNA binding sites in the small ribosomal subunit 15 The role of rRNA in mRNA decoding 16 Structural basis of elongation factor functions 17 Concluding