Work

Brownian dynamics study of the association between the 70S ribosome and elongation factor G

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: Protein synthesis on the ribosome involves a number of external protein factors that bind at its functional sites. One key factor is the elongation factor G (EF-G) that facilitates the translocation of transfer RNAs between their binding sites, as well as advancement of the messenger RNA by one codon. The details of the EF-G/ribosome diffusional encounter and EF-G association pathway still remain unanswered. Here, we applied Brownian dynamics methodology to study bimolecular association in the bacterial EF-G/70S ribosome system. We estimated the EF-G association rate constants at 150 and 300 mM monovalent ionic strengths and obtained reasonable agreement with kinetic experiments. We have also elucidated the details of EF-G/ribosome association paths and found that positioning of the L11 protein of the large ribosomal subunit is likely crucial for EF-G entry to its binding site.

Source: Biopolymers

DOI: 10.1002/bip.21619

Authors: Maciej Długosz, Gary A. Huber, J. Andrew McCammon, Joanna Trylska

Institutions: Interdisciplinary Centre for Mathematical and Computational Modelling, University of Warsaw, University of Warsaw, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California San Diego

Language: English

Topic: RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze