Protein synthesis peptidyltransferase reaction

The a-amino group of the new aminoacyl-tRNA in the A site carries out a nucleophilic attack on the esterified carboxyl group of the peptidyl-tRNA occupying the P site (peptidyl or polypeptide site). At initiation, this site is occupied by aminoacyl-tRNA mef. This reaction is catalyzed by a peptidyltransferase, a component of the 285 RNA of the 605 ribosomal subunit. This is another example of ribozyme activity and indicates an important—and previously unsuspected—direct role for RNA in protein synthesis (Table 38-3). Because the amino acid on the aminoacyl-tRNA is already activated, no further energy source is required for this reaction. The reaction results in attachment of the growing peptide chain to the tRNA in the A site. 

Upon encountering a stop codon on the mRNA, the ribosome will halt incorporation of further amino acids into the polypeptide as there is no tRNA complementary to a stop codon (UAG, UGA, UAA). In order to liberate the polypeptide, the ester bond between the peptide and the tRNA residing in the P site has to be hydrolyzed — a reaction that is also catalyzed in the peptidyltransferase center. It is critical for protein synthesis that peptide release is tightly coupled to the presence of a stop codon in the decoding center to avoid premature termination resulting in shortened, nonfunctional proteins. Both functions, recognizing the stop codon and triggering... 

FIGURE 46-2 Inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis by chloramphenicol. Chloramphenicol binds to the 50S ribo-somal subunit at the peptidyltransferase site and inhibits the transpeptidation reaction. Chloramphenicol binds to the SOS ribosomal subunit near the site of action of clindamycin and the macrolide antibiotics. These agents interfere with the binding of chloramphenicol and thus may interfere with each other s actions if given concurrently. See Figure 46-1 and its legend for additional information. 

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