Measuring the mechanical forces of elongation factor G mediated translocation

Abstract

The ribosome is the complex molecular machine found in all living cells that is responsible for the synthesis of all proteins. The ribosome is associated with various protein factors, including the GTPase Elongation Factor G (EF-G). EF-G is responsible for catalyzing tRNA and mRNA translocation on the ribosome, however, the mechanism of this translocation remains elusive. Recent studies implied large conformational changes of EF-G during translocation, through the observation of a compact, pre-translocation state.