The ribosome--a macromolecular machine par excellence

Abstract

The ribosome is the site in the cell where proteins are synthesized. Cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography have revealed the ribosome as a particle made of two subunits, each formed as an intricate mesh of RNAs and many proteins. Ligand-binding experiments followed by cryo-electron microscopy have helped to determine some of the key stages of interaction between the ribosome and the main ligand molecules.