Macromolecular mimicry.
Some proteins have been shown to mimic the overall shape and structure of nucleic acids. For some of the proteins involved in translating the genetic information into proteins on the ribosome particle, there are indications that such observations of macromolecular mimicry even extend to similarity in interaction with and function on the ribosome. A small number of structural results obtained outside the protein biosynthesis machinery could indicate that the concept of macromolecular mimicry between proteins and nucleic acids is more general. The implications for the function and evolution of protein biosynthesis are discussed.
Nissen
P
P
Institute of Molecular and Structural Biology, University of Aarhus, Gustav Wieds vej 10C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
Kjeldgaard
M
M
Nyborg
J
J
D000818:Animals; D020963:GTP Phosphohydrolase-Linked Elongation Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008958:Models, Molecular; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D009711:Nucleotides; D011506:Proteins; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D020963:GTP Phosphohydrolase-Linked Elongation Factors