During translation, the ribosome moves along the mRNA one codon at a time with the help of elongation factor G (EF-G). Spontaneous changes in the translational reading frame are extremely rare, yet how the precise triplet-wise step is maintained is not clear. Here, we show that the ribosome is prone to spontaneous frameshifting on mRNA slippery sequences, whereas EF-G restricts frameshifting. EF-G helps to maintain the mRNA reading frame by guiding the A-site transfer RNA during translocation due to specific interactions with the tip of EF-G domain 4. Furthermore, EF-G accelerates ribosome rearrangements that restore the ribosome’s control over the codon-anticodon interaction at the end of the movement. Our data explain how the mRNA reading frame is maintained during translation.
CITATION STYLE
Peng, B. Z., Bock, L. V., Belardinelli, R., Peske, F., Grubmüller, H., & Rodnina, M. V. (2019). Active role of elongation factor G in maintaining the mRNA reading frame during translation. Science Advances, 5(12). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax8030
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