The Regulation of the nascent polypeptide in the ribosomal exit tunnel

石田 恒; 河野 秀俊

Research Advances in Nucleic Acids Research, p.19 - 34, 2009/03

Ribosome is the macromolecular machine composed of RNA and protein used in the expression of the genetic code for the synthesis of polypeptides. The polypeptide is generated at the peptidyl transferase center and then passes through a tunnel in ribosome. It is known that some nascent polypeptides specifically interact with the tunnel in ribosome and regulate the function of ribosome. The tunnel is also thought to play an active role in the passage of the nascent polypeptides through the tunnel. In this review, we summarise both experimental and theoretical research on the regulation of the nascent polypeptide in the ribosomal tunnel and the role of the tunnel in the passage of the polypeptide.