Ribosome structure and function emergent

Abstract

Although the corresponding data for 50S subunits are still being assembled, it is doubtful that these data will significantly alter the general features of ribosome structure that have emerged from analysis of the 30S subunits. One overwhelming characteristic of the ribosome is its apparent complexity, which is reflected both in the diversity of ribosomal components and in their dissymmetric arrangement. The absence of repeat-structures implies that the functions of the ribosome are dissymmetric; this should influence the choice of models for protein synthesis.