2008/10/22 by Paula Petrone, Christopher D. Snow, Del Lucent +1 · 2 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Chemistry · #RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms #RNA modifications and cancer #RNA Research and Splicing #Ribosome #Ribosomal protein #Ribosomal RNA #Amino acid #Biophysics #Gating #Translation (biology) #RNA #Biology #Biochemistry #Physics #Chemistry #Messenger RNA #Gene
paper · doi:10.1073/pnas.0801795105
openalex publication_date 2008/10/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
The ribosome is a large complex catalyst responsible for the synthesis of new proteins, an essential function for life. New proteins emerge from the ribosome through an exit tunnel as nascent polypeptide chains. Recent findings indicate that tunnel interactions with the nascent polypeptide chain might be relevant for the regulation of translation. However, the specific ribosomal structural features that mediate this process are unknown. Performing molecular dynamics simulations, we are studying the interactions between components of the ribosome exit tunnel and different chemical probes (specifically different amino acid side chains or monovalent inorganic ions). Our free-energy maps describe the physicochemical environment of the tunnel, revealing binding crevices and free-energy barriers for single amino acids and ions. Our simulations indicate that transport out of the tunnel could be different for diverse amino acid species. In addition, our results predict a notable protein-RNA interaction between a flexible 23S rRNA tetraloop (gate) and ribosomal protein L39 (latch) that could potentially obstruct the tunnel's exit. By relating our simulation data to earlier biochemical studies, we propose that ribosomal features at the exit of the tunnel can play a role in the regulation of nascent chain exit and ion flux. Moreover, our free-energy maps may provide a context for interpreting sequence-dependent nascent chain phenomenology.