Localization of the protein L2 in the 50 S subunit and the 70 S E. coli ribosome.
The protein L2 is found in all ribosomes and is one of the best conserved proteins of this mega-dalton complex. The protein was localized within both the isolated 50 S subunit and the 70 S ribosome of the Escherichia coli bacteria with the neutron-scattering technique of spin-contrast variation. L2 is elongated, exposing one end of the protein to the surface of the intersubunit interface of the 50 S subunit. The protein changes its conformation slightly when the 50 S subunit reassociates with the 30 S subunit to form a 70 S ribosome, becoming more elongated and moving approximately 30 A into the 50 S matrix. The results support a recent observation that L2 is essential for the association of the ribosomal subunits and might participate in the binding and translocation of the tRNAs.
Willumeit
R
R
GKSS Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH, Institut für Werkstofforschung WFS, Max-Planck-Strasse, Geesthacht, D-21502, Germany. willumeit@gkss.de
Forthmann
S
S
Beckmann
J
J
Diedrich
G
G
Ratering
R
R
Stuhrmann
H B
HB
Nierhaus
K H
KH
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001665:Binding Sites; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009502:Neutrons; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011522:Protons; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000378:metabolism; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011522:Protons; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins; C029466:ribosomal protein L2