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Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Ribosomes

Ribosomes are complexes found in all cells that catalyze protein synthesis. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes have similar structures and functions but differ in size. Prokaryotic ribosomes are 70S and composed of a 50S and 30S subunit containing RNA and proteins. Eukaryotic ribosomes are 80S and composed of a larger 60S subunit and smaller 40S subunit. Ribosomes have specific sites including the P site that binds initiating tRNAs and the A site that binds incoming aminoacyl-tRNAs to facilitate protein synthesis.

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809 views15 pages

Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Ribosomes

Ribosomes are complexes found in all cells that catalyze protein synthesis. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes have similar structures and functions but differ in size. Prokaryotic ribosomes are 70S and composed of a 50S and 30S subunit containing RNA and proteins. Eukaryotic ribosomes are 80S and composed of a larger 60S subunit and smaller 40S subunit. Ribosomes have specific sites including the P site that binds initiating tRNAs and the A site that binds incoming aminoacyl-tRNAs to facilitate protein synthesis.

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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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