title: GU receptors of double helices mediate tRNA movement in the ribosome.
abstract: A new RNA structural motif consisting of two double helices closely packed via minor grooves is found in many places in the ribosome structure. The packing requires that a GU base pair in one helix be packed against a Watson-Crick pair in the other helix. Two such motifs mediate the interaction of the P- and E-tRNA with the large ribosomal subunit. Analysis of the particular positions of these two motifs in view of the available data on occupancy of tRNA-binding sites and structural changes in the ribosome during the elongation cycle suggests a distinct role for each motif in tRNA translocation.
authors.affiliation: Département de Biochimie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Matthieu G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Gagnon
authors.forename: Sergey V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Steinberg
mesh_terms: D020029:Base Pairing; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012343:RNA, Transfer