The roles of RNA in the synthesis of protein

Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2011 Nov 1;3(11):a003780. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a003780.

Abstract

The crystal structures of ribosomes that have been obtained since 2000 have transformed our understanding of protein synthesis. In addition to proving that RNA is responsible for catalyzing peptide bond formation, these structures have provided important insights into the mechanistic details of how the ribosome functions. This review emphasizes what has been learned about the mechanism of peptide bond formation, the antibiotics that inhibit ribosome function, and the fidelity of decoding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Binding Sites
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Models, Molecular
  • Peptidyl Transferases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Peptidyl Transferases / physiology
  • Protein Biosynthesis / genetics*
  • RNA / chemistry
  • RNA / physiology*
  • RNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
  • RNA, Ribosomal / physiology
  • RNA, Transfer / chemistry
  • RNA, Transfer / metabolism
  • Ribosomes / chemistry
  • Ribosomes / physiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA
  • RNA, Transfer
  • Peptidyl Transferases