title: Mass fractal dimension of the ribosome and implication of its dynamic characteristics.
abstract: Self-similar properties of the ribosome in terms of the mass fractal dimension are investigated. We find that both the 30S subunit and the 16S rRNA have fractal dimensions of 2.58 and 2.82, respectively; while the 50S subunit as well as the 23S rRNA has the mass fractal dimension close to 3, implying a compact three-dimensional macromolecule. This finding supports the dynamic and active role of the 30S subunit in the protein synthesis, in contrast to the pass role of the 50S subunit.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Industrial Information, Kongju National University, Chungnam 340-702, South Korea. clee@kongju.ac.kr
authors.forename: Chang-Yong
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017709:Fractals; D007700:Kinetics; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins