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Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Visualizing Protein-DNA Interactions in Live Bacterial Cells Using Photoactivated Single-molecule Tracking
Published on: March 10, 2014
Direct visualization of A-, P-, and E-site transfer RNAs in the Escherichia coli ribosome
R K Agrawal1, P Penczek, R A Grassucci
1Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany 12201-0509, USA.
Abstract:
Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules play a crucial role in protein biosynthesis in all organisms. Their interactions with ribosomes mediate the translation of genetic messages into polypeptides. Three tRNAs bound to the Escherichia coli 70S ribosome were visualized directly with cryoelectron microscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction. The detailed arrangement of A- and P-site tRNAs inferred from this study allows localization of the sites for anticodon interaction and peptide bond formation on the ribosome.
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