The ribosome uses two active mechanisms to unwind messenger RNA during translation

Xiaohui Qu, Jin- Der Wen, Laura Lancaster, Harry F. Noller, Carlos Bustamante () and Ignacio Tinoco ()
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Xiaohui Qu: Jason L. Choy Laboratory of Single Molecule Biophysics and QB3 Institute, University of California
Jin- Der Wen: Jason L. Choy Laboratory of Single Molecule Biophysics and QB3 Institute, University of California
Laura Lancaster: Cell and Developmental Biology and Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California
Harry F. Noller: Cell and Developmental Biology and Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California
Carlos Bustamante: Jason L. Choy Laboratory of Single Molecule Biophysics and QB3 Institute, University of California
Ignacio Tinoco: University of California

Nature, 2011, vol. 475, issue 7354, 118-121

Abstract: Open and shut case for mRNA Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a linear single-stranded molecule that folds into complex secondary structures by base pairing of stretches of complementary sequences. Translation of mRNA into protein by the ribosome requires disruption of this base pairing. In this study, Ignacio Tinoco and colleagues employ a single molecule approach to show that the ribosome has two mechanisms that assist in opening the structured regions of mRNAs; the choice of mechanism depends on whether the base-paired junction is in an open or closed state.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1038/nature10126

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