Testing constraints on rRNA bases that make nonsequence-specific contacts with the codon-anticodon complex in the ribosomal A site.

ABSTRACT: During protein synthesis, interactions between the decoding center of the ribosome and the codon-anticodon complexes maintain translation accuracy. Correct aminoacyl-tRNAs induce the ribosome to shift into a "closed" conformation that both blocks tRNA dissociation and accelerates the process of tRNA acceptance. As part of the ribosomal recognition of cognate tRNAs, the rRNA nucleotides G530 and A1492 form a hydrogen-bonded pair that interacts with the middle position of the codon.anticodon complex and recognizes correct Watson-Crick base pairs. Exchanging these two nucleotides (A530 and G1492) would not disrupt these interactions, suggesting that such a double mutant ribosome might properly recognize tRNAs and support viability. We find, however, that exchange mutants retain little ribosom

SUBMITTER: Taliaferro DL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1924888 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature