Helix unwinding in the effector region of elongation factor EF-Tu-GDP.
Polekhina, G., Thirup, S., Kjeldgaard, M., Nissen, P., Lippmann, C., Nyborg, J.(1996) Structure 4: 1141-1151
- PubMed: 8939739 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0969-2126(96)00122-0
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1TUI - PubMed Abstract: 
Elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) in its GTP conformation is a carrier of aminoacylated tRNAs (aa-tRNAs) to the ribosomal A site during protein biosynthesis. The ribosome triggers GTP hydrolysis, resulting in the dissociation of EF-Tu-GDP from the ribosome. The affinity of EF-Tu for other molecules involved in this process, some of which are unknown, is regulated by two regions (Switch I and Switch II) that have different conformations in the GTP and GDP forms. The structure of the GDP form of EF-Tu is known only as a trypsin-modified fragment, which lacks the Switch I, or effector, domain. The aim of this work was to establish the overall structure of intact EF-Tu-GDP, in particular the structure of the effector domain.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Institute of Molecular and Structural Biology, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade, Denmark.