The role of the universally conserved A2450-C2063 base pair in the ribosomal peptidyl transferase center.

ABSTRACT: Despite the fact that all 23S rRNA nucleotides that build the ribosomal peptidyl transferase ribozyme are universally conserved, standard and atomic mutagenesis studies revealed the nucleobase identities being non-critical for catalysis. This indicates that these active site residues are highly conserved for functions distinct from catalysis. To gain insight into potential contributions, we have manipulated the nucleobases via an atomic mutagenesis approach and have utilized these chemically engineered ribosomes for in vitro translation reactions. We show that most of the active site nucleobases could be removed without significant effects on polypeptide production. Our data however highlight the functional importance of the universally conserved non-Watson-Crick base pair at position A245

SUBMITTER: Chirkova A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2919715 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature