Comprehensive genetic selection revealed essential bases in the peptidyl-transferase center.

ABSTRACT: During protein synthesis, the ribosome catalyzes peptide-bond formation. Biochemical and structural studies revealed that conserved nucleotides in the peptidyl-transferase center (PTC) and its proximity may play a key role in peptide-bond formation; the exact mechanism involved remains unclear. To more precisely define the functional importance of the highly conserved residues, we used a systematic genetic method, which we named SSER (systematic selection of functional sequences by enforced replacement), that allowed us to identify essential nucleotides for ribosomal function from randomized rRNA libraries in Escherichia coli cells. These libraries were constructed by complete randomization of the critical regions in and around the PTC. The selected variants contained natural rRNA sequence

SUBMITTER: Sato NS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1592644 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature