Structural characteristics and classification of some tRNA-binding sites of elongating Escherichia coli ribosome

Ultraviolet(254 nm)-irradiation-induced cross-linkages in ribosomal complexes allowed identification of proteins in contact with tRNA at different elongation steps. Both the set and the ratio of cross-linked proteins, i.e. the structural characteristics of the tRNA-binding sites of the ribosome, were shown to depend strongly not only on the position of the mRNA codon with which tRNA interacts as a component of a ribosomal complex, but also on its functional state, i.e. on the elongation step. A new classification of tRNA-binding sites of ribosome is suggested.