title: Heterogeneity of single molecule FRET signals reveals multiple active ribosome subpopulations.
abstract: Single molecule methods have revealed that heterogeneity is common in biological systems. However, interpretations of the complex signals are challenging. By tracking the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signals between the A-site tRNA and L27 protein in single ribosomes, we attempt to develop a qualitative method to subtract the inherent patterns of the heterogeneous single molecule FRET data. Seven ribosome subpopulations are identified using this method and spontaneous exchanges among these subpopulations are observed. All of the pretranslocation subpopulations are competent in real-time translocation, but via distinguished pathways. These observations suggest that the ribosome may function through multiple reaction pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun Rd, Houston, Texas, 77214.
authors.forename: Yuhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000378:metabolism*; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D012269:Ribosomal Proteins; C034661:ribosomal proteins L27; D012343:RNA, Transfer
keywords: Brownian motor; inhomogeneous populations; multiple reaction pathways; ribosome dynamics; single molecule FRET