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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Isolation of Translating Ribosomes Containing Peptidyl-tRNAs for Functional and Structural Analyses
Published on: February 26, 2011
The three-dimensional structure and function of Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA, as studied by cross-linking
R Brimacombe1, P Gornicki, B Greuer
1Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Genetik, Abteilung Wittmann, Berlin-Dahlem, Germany.
Abstract:
A large number of intra-RNA and RNA-protein cross-link sites have been localized within the 23S RNA from E. coli 50 S ribosomal subunits. These sites, together with other data, are sufficient to constrain the secondary structure of the 23 S molecule into a compact three-dimensional shape. Some of the features of this structure are discussed, in particular, those relating to the orientation of tRNA on the 50 S subunit as studied by site-directed cross-linking techniques. A corresponding model for the 16S RNA within the 30 S subunit has already been described, and here a site-directed cross-linking approach is being used to determine the path followed through the subunit by messenger RNA.
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