Ribosome Structure Less of a Mystery

Photo credit: Center for Molecular Biology  of RNA at the University of RNA at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Using high-resolution cryo-electron microscopes, researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich have been able to look at parts of the structure of mitochondrial ribosomes from Mammalian cells, according to redorbit.com .

Ribosomes are responsible for transcribing RNA into proteins in cells, and understanding their structure could be key to understanding not just specific mechanical questions, but also some protein diseases. It may help answer questions, such as why particular mutations arise, especially in start and stop codons. Of course, understanding genetic causes does not guarantee a cure, but it does offer progress.

The Zurich team has provided comprehensive images of the small (40S) ribosomal subunit structure on their website, as well as a more detailed description of their findings.  Studies are ongoing and they hope to map the structure of the larger, (60S) subunit as well.