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Related Concept Videos

Improving Translational Accuracy02:07

Improving Translational Accuracy

Base complementarity between the three base pairs of mRNA codon and the tRNA anticodon is not a failsafe mechanism. Inaccuracies can range from a single mismatch to no correct base pairing at all. The free energy difference between the correct and nearly correct base pairs can be as small as 3 kcal/ mol. With complementarity being the only proofreading step, the estimated error frequency would be one wrong amino acid in every 100 amino acids incorporated. However, error frequencies observed in...
Initiation of Translation02:33

Initiation of Translation

Initiating translation is complex because it involves multiple molecules. Initiator tRNA, ribosomal subunits, and eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) are all required to assemble on the initiation codon of mRNA. This process consists of several steps that are mediated by different eIFs.
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
Initiation of Translation02:33

Initiation of Translation

Initiating translation is complex because it involves multiple molecules. Initiator tRNA, ribosomal subunits, and eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) are all required to assemble on the initiation codon of mRNA. This process consists of several steps that are mediated by different eIFs.
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
Termination of Translation01:44

Termination of Translation

The large ribosomal subunit has several important structures essential to translation. These include the peptidyl transferase center (PTC) - which is the site where the peptide bond is formed - and a large, internal, water-filled tube through which the nascent polypeptide moves. This latter structure is called the Peptide Exit Tunnel, and it begins at the PTC and spans the body of the large ribosomal subunit. During translation, as the nascent polypeptide chain is synthesized, it passes through...
Translation in Prokaryotes01:29

Translation in Prokaryotes

Prokaryote translation is a complex, highly coordinated process that converts genetic information from mRNA into functional proteins. It involves three stages: initiation, elongation, and termination, each facilitated by specific molecular components.Initiation of TranslationThe process begins with the assembly of the ribosomal subunits and initiation factors on the mRNA. In bacteria, the 30S ribosomal subunit recognizes the Shine-Dalgarno sequence in the mRNA, a conserved region upstream of...
Translation01:31

Translation

Lesson: 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

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs
10:37

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs

Published on: May 10, 2018

Irreversible chemical steps control intersubunit dynamics during translation.

R Andrew Marshall1, Magdalena Dorywalska, Joseph D Puglisi

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5080, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|October 1, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Ribosomes use subunit rotation to move along mRNA during protein synthesis. This dynamic movement, observed in real-time, is crucial for accurate translation and peptide bond formation.

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Published on: December 25, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • The ribosome is a complex molecular machine responsible for protein synthesis.
  • Understanding the dynamic movements of ribosomal subunits is key to deciphering translation efficiency and accuracy.
  • Previous studies suggested intersubunit rotation, but direct observation remained challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To directly observe and characterize the real-time dynamics of ribosomal intersubunit conformational changes during translation.
  • To elucidate the role of subunit rotation in the initiation and elongation phases of protein synthesis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) assays.
  • Monitored conformational changes in real-time during ribosome function.

Main Results:

  • Observed a distinct ribosomal intersubunit conformational cycle during initiation and the first round of elongation.
  • Peptide bond formation induced a rapid counterclockwise rotation of the 30S subunit relative to the 50S subunit.
  • Elongation Factor G binding and GTP hydrolysis drove a clockwise rotation of the 30S subunit, preparing for the next cycle.

Conclusions:

  • Ribosomes harness energy from peptide bond formation and GTP hydrolysis to drive large-scale conformational changes.
  • Intersubunit rotation is essential for the coordinated movement of tRNA and mRNA during translocation.
  • This dynamic rotation facilitates efficient and accurate protein synthesis.