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Size changes in eukaryotic ribosomes.

J Vournakis, A Rich

    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
    |December 1, 1971
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Ribosomes synthesizing proteins on messenger RNA (mRNA) are smaller than free ribosomes. This size difference in active ribosomes was observed across multiple cell types and is not due to nascent polypeptide chains.

    Area of Science:

    • Molecular Biology
    • Cell Biology
    • Biochemistry

    Background:

    • Ribosomes are essential cellular machinery responsible for protein synthesis.
    • Ribosomes exist in different states, including free cytoplasmic ribosomes and those engaged in translation on messenger RNA (mRNA) within polysomes.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate potential structural differences between free and mRNA-bound ribosomes.
    • To quantify the size difference of ribosomes in active protein synthesis compared to free ribosomes.

    Main Methods:

    • Comparative analysis of sedimentation velocity and diffusion constants of free and polysome-bound ribosomes.
    • Examination of ribosome sensitivity to Pronase digestion.
    • Assessment of ribosomal subunit dissociation under varying KCl concentrations.

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    Main Results:

    • Ribosomes attached to mRNA on polysomes exhibit a smaller diameter (approximately 20 Å decrease) compared to free cytoplasmic ribosomes.
    • This size difference was consistently observed in chick embryo muscle cells, rabbit reticulocytes, and mouse ascites tumor cells.
    • Differences in Pronase digestion sensitivity and KCl-induced subunit dissociation were noted between the two ribosomal states.

    Conclusions:

    • Ribosomes undergo a conformational change, resulting in a reduced diameter, when actively engaged in protein synthesis on mRNA.
    • This structural alteration is independent of nascent polypeptide chain presence and overall ribosomal mass.
    • The distinct properties suggest functional or regulatory implications for mRNA-bound ribosomes.