Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Ribosomes

Eukaryotic and prokaryotic
ribosomes
Ribosomes
• Ribosomes are compact ribonucleoprotein particles found in the
cytosol of all cells, as well as in the matrix of mitochondria and the
stroma of chloroplasts.
• Ribosomes are mechano-chemical systems that move along mRNA
templates, co-ordinates the interactions between successive codons
and the corresponding anticodons of the aminoacyl-tRNAs.
• Ribosomes also catalyse the formation of peptide bonds between
adjacent amino acid residues.
• Prokaryotes and eukaryotes have similar ribosomes that are quite
similar in both structure and function.
Prokaryotic Ribosome—70S Ribosome
• The bacterial ribosomes contain 65 per cent RNA and 35 per cent
protein.
• They have a diameter of about 18 nm and are composed of two
unequal subunits with a sedimentation coefficient of 70S.
• The 50S subunit comprises of 34 proteins (L-proteins) and 23S and 5S
rRNAs.
• The 23S rRNA is made up of 2,904 nucleotide residues and 5S rRNA of
120 nucleotide residues.
• The 30S subunit consists of 21 ribosomal proteins (S-proteins) and 16S
rRNA molecule which contain 1,532 nucleotide residues
• Most ribosomal proteins are low molecular weight basic protein.
• The basic charge enables them to interact with negatively charged
RNA.
• The RNA molecules within the ribosome have well-defined secondary
structure and can interact with the ribosomal protein in precise
manner.
• Prokaryotic ribosome can be split into RNA and protein components
and then reassembled into active functional ribosome.
• Ribosomal proteins are present as single copy except L-7 and L-12
proteins.
Self-assembly of Ribosomes
• Ribosomal subunits are capable of self-assembly from their macromolecular
components.
• If the individual proteins and rRNAs composing ribosomal subunits that are
mixed together in vitro under appropriate conditions of pH and ionic strength,
spontaneous self-assembly into functionally competent subunits takes place
without the intervention of any additional factors or chaperones.
• The rRNA acts as a scaffold upon which the various ribosomal proteins are
attached.
• Ribosomal proteins bind in a specified order.
• Assembly of 30S subunits begins even as the rRNA precursor is being
transcribed.
• The 5′-region of the 16S rRNA possesses a cluster of the strongest protein-
binding sites.
Eukaryotic Ribosome—80S Ribosome
• Eukaryotic cells have ribosomes in their mitochondria (and chloroplasts)
as well as in the cytosol.
• The mitochondrial and chloroplastic ribosomes resemble prokaryotic
ribosomes in size, organization, structure and function.
• This fact reflects the prokaryotic origins of these organelles.
• Eukaryotic cytosolic ribosomes are larger and considerably more complex.
• Eukaryotic ribosomes are made up of two subunits namely large 60S
subunit and smaller 40S subunit.
• 60S subunit contains about 40–45 polypeptides and three rRNA
components [28S rRNA, 5.8S rRNA and 5S rRNA] and 40S subunit contains
about 30 polypeptides and 18S rRNA components
Eukaryotic ribosome composition
Ribosomal sites
• X-ray
diffraction studies have revealed that ribosomes have some sites.
P-site (Peptide site)
• It is located on 30S subunit and can also extent to 50S subunit.
• It is the site to which the initiating tRNA, i.e., N-formyl methionine- binds.
• During translation, the peptide containing tRNA is present in this site and
hence the name peptide site.
A-site (Amino acid site)
• It lies closely to P-site.
• The incoming aminoacyl-tRNA binds to this site.
mRNA-binding site
• It is located on 30S subunit.
• It is associated with 16S rRNA and carries the Shine–Dalgarno sequence
which plays a key role in the mRNA binding.
Peptidyl transferase site
• It lies somewhere between A-site and P-sites.
• 23S rRNA and some of the L-proteins are needed for their activity.
5S rRNA site
• It is located near peptidyl transferase site.
E-site
• It is the excision site which is located on 50S subunit.
• Empty tRNA after releasing their amino acids is freed from this site.
REFERENCES
 Malathi, V. (2013). Essentials of molecular biology. Pearson.
 Geoffrey M. Cooper.(2019). The cell: a molecular approach. Eighth
Edition, Oxford University Press.
 Lee, N., Cox, D., & Michael, M. Lehninger principles of
Biochemistry/by David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox (No. 574.192 L4.).
 Brooker, R. (2014). Genetics: Analysis and Principles. McGraw-Hill
Higher Education.

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