Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Isolation of Translating Ribosomes Containing Peptidyl-tRNAs for Functional and Structural Analyses
Published on: February 25, 2011
A steric block in translation caused by the antibiotic spectinomycin
Maria A Borovinskaya1, Shinichiro Shoji2, James M Holton1,3
1Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720.
Abstract:
The widely used antibiotic spectinomycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by blocking translocation of messenger RNA and transfer RNAs on the ribosome. Here, we show that in crystals of the Escherichia coli 70S ribosome spectinomycin binding traps a distinct swiveling state of the head domain of the small ribosomal subunit. Spectinomycin also alters the rate and completeness of reverse translocation in vitro. These structural and biochemical data indicate that in solution spectinomycin sterically blocks swiveling of the head domain of the small ribosomal subunit and thereby disrupts the translocation cycle.
Related Concept Videos
Inhibitors of Bacterial Protein Synthesis
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Inhibitors of Bacterial DNA Synthesis

