Interaction of the G' domain of elongation factor G and the C-terminal domain of ribosomal protein L7/L12 during translocation as revealed by cryo-EM

Mol Cell. 2005 Dec 9;20(5):723-31. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2005.10.028.

Abstract

During tRNA translocation on the ribosome, an arc-like connection (ALC) is formed between the G' domain of elongation factor G (EF-G) and the L7/L12-stalk base of the large ribosomal subunit in the GDP state. To delineate the boundary of EF-G within the ALC, we tagged an amino acid residue near the tip of the G' domain of EF-G with undecagold, which was then visualized with three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Two distinct positions for the undecagold, observed in the GTP-state and GDP-state cryo-EM maps of the ribosome bound EF-G, allowed us to determine the movement of the labeled amino acid. Molecular analyses of the cryo-EM maps show: (1) that three structural components, the N-terminal domain of ribosomal protein L11, the C-terminal domain of ribosomal protein L7/L12, and the G' domain of EF-G, participate in formation of the ALC; and (2) that both EF-G and the ribosomal protein L7/L12 undergo large conformational changes to form the ALC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cryoelectron Microscopy / methods*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Escherichia coli / chemistry
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Hydrolysis
  • Models, Molecular
  • Peptide Elongation Factor G / chemistry
  • Peptide Elongation Factor G / metabolism*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA, Transfer / chemistry
  • RNA, Transfer / metabolism*
  • Ribosomal Proteins / chemistry
  • Ribosomal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ribosomes / chemistry
  • Ribosomes / metabolism
  • Ribosomes / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Peptide Elongation Factor G
  • Ribosomal Proteins
  • ribosomal protein L7-L12
  • Gold
  • RNA, Transfer

Associated data

  • PDB/2BCW