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Hydrolysis of GTP by elongation factor G drives tRNA movement on the ribosome

Nature volume 385, pages 37–41 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

Elongation factor G (EF-G) is a GTPase that is involved in the translocation of bacterial ribosomes along messenger RNA during protein biosynthesis. In contrast to current models, EF-G-dependent GTP hydrolysis is shown to precede, and greatly accelerate, the rearrangement of the ribosome that leads to translocation. Domain IV of the EF-G structure is crucial for both rapid translocation and subsequent release of the factor from the ribosome. By coupling the free energy of GTP hydrolysis to translocation, EF-G serves as a motor protein to drive the directional movement of transfer and messenger RNAs on the ribosome.

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Author notes

  1. Vladimir I. Katunin: Sankt Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 188350 Gatchina, Russia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Witten/Herdecke, D-58448, Witten, Germany

    Marina V. Rodnina, Andreas Savelsbergh, Vladimir I. Katunin & Wolfgang Wintermeyer

Authors
  1. Marina V. Rodnina
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  2. Andreas Savelsbergh
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  3. Vladimir I. Katunin
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  4. Wolfgang Wintermeyer
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Rodnina, M., Savelsbergh, A., Katunin, V. et al. Hydrolysis of GTP by elongation factor G drives tRNA movement on the ribosome. Nature 385, 37–41 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/385037a0

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