The molecular structure of the left-handed supra-molecular helix of eukaryotic polyribosomes.
During protein synthesis, several ribosomes bind to a single messenger RNA (mRNA) forming large macromolecular assemblies called polyribosomes. Here we report the detailed molecular structure of a 100 MDa eukaryotic poly-ribosome complex derived from cryo electron tomography, sub-tomogram averaging and pseudo-atomic modelling by crystal structure fitting. The structure allowed the visualization of the three functional parts of the polysome assembly, the central core region that forms a rather compact left-handed supra-molecular helix, and the more open regions that harbour the initiation and termination sites at either ends. The helical region forms a continuous mRNA channel where the mRNA strand bridges neighbouring exit and entry sites of the ribosomes and prevents mRNA looping between ribosomes. This structure provides unprecedented insights into protein- and RNA-mediated inter-ribosome contacts that involve conserved sites through 40S subunits and long protruding RNA expansion segments, suggesting a role in stabilizing the overall polyribosomal assembly.
1] Centre for Integrative Biology (CBI), Department of Integrated Structural Biology, IGBMC (Institute of Genetics and of Molecular and Cellular Biology), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP 10142, 67404 Illkirch, France [2] Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, 67404 Illkirch, France [3] Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), 67404 Illkirch, France [4] Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Strasbourg, France.
Alexander G
AG
Myasnikov
Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Moscow, Russia.
Zhanna A
ZA
Afonina
1] Centre for Integrative Biology (CBI), Department of Integrated Structural Biology, IGBMC (Institute of Genetics and of Molecular and Cellular Biology), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP 10142, 67404 Illkirch, France [2] Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, 67404 Illkirch, France [3] Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), 67404 Illkirch, France [4] Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Strasbourg, France.
Jean-François
JF
Ménétret
Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Moscow, Russia.
Vladimir A
VA
Shirokov
Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Moscow, Russia.
Alexander S
AS
Spirin
1] Centre for Integrative Biology (CBI), Department of Integrated Structural Biology, IGBMC (Institute of Genetics and of Molecular and Cellular Biology), 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP 10142, 67404 Illkirch, France [2] Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, 67404 Illkirch, France [3] Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), 67404 Illkirch, France [4] Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Strasbourg, France.
Bruno P
BP
Klaholz
D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010957:Plasmids; D011132:Polyribosomes / Q000737:chemistry*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry*; D014908:Triticum
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal