Primary Citation of Related Structures:   1EK8
PubMed Abstract: 
We have determined the crystal structure of the Escherichia coli ribosome recycling factor (RRF), which catalyzes the disassembly of the termination complex in protein synthesis. The L-shaped molecule consists of two domains: a triple-stranded antiparallel coiled-coil and an alpha/beta domain ...
We have determined the crystal structure of the Escherichia coli ribosome recycling factor (RRF), which catalyzes the disassembly of the termination complex in protein synthesis. The L-shaped molecule consists of two domains: a triple-stranded antiparallel coiled-coil and an alpha/beta domain. The coil domain has a cylindrical shape and negatively charged surface, which are reminiscent of the anticodon arm of tRNA and domain IV of elongation factor EF-G. We suggest that RRF binds to the ribosomal A-site through its coil domain, which is a tRNA mimic. The relative position of the two domains is changed about an axis along the hydrophobic cleft in the hinge where the alkyl chain of a detergent molecule is bound. The tRNA mimicry and the domain movement observed in RRF provide a structural basis for understanding the role of RRF in protein synthesis.
Related Citations: 
Crystallization and Preliminary Crystallographic Studies of Ribosome Recycling Factor from Escherichia coli. Yun, J., Kim, W., Ha, S.C., Eom, S.H., Suh, S.W., Kim, K.K. (2000) Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr 56: 84
Organizational Affiliation: 
Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Chinju 660-701, Korea. kim@px1.gsnu.ac.kr