Evolution of the ribosome at atomic resolution
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Journal Volume
111
Journal Issue
28
Pages
10251 - 10256
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Petrov, Anton S.
Bernier, Chad R.
Norris, Ashlyn M.
Kovacs, Nicholas A.
Waterbury, Chris C.
Stepanov, Victor G.
Harvey, Stephen C.
Fox, George E.
Wartell, Roger M.
Hud, Nicholas V.
Williams, Loren Dean
Abstract
Significance Ribosomes exist in every cell and are responsible for translation from mRNA to protein. The structure of the ribosomal common core is highly conserved in all living species, while the outer regions of the ribosome are variable. Ribosomal RNA of eukaryotes contains expansion segments accreted onto the surface of the core, which is nearly identical in structure to that in prokaryotic ribosomes. Comparing eukaryotic and prokaryotic ribosomes allows us to identify 3D insertion fingerprints of the expansion segments. Similar fingerprints allow us to analyze the common core and detect ancestral expansion segments within it. We construct a molecular model of ribosomal evolution starting from primordial biological systems near the dawn of life, culminating with relatively recent changes specific to metazoans.
SDGs
Type
journal article