Positions of Ribosomal Subunits

Characterization of crystals of small ribosomal subunits.

Crystals of intact small ribosomal subunits from Thermus thermophilus have been obtained from functionally active particles. The crystals (P42(1)2, 407 A x 407 A x 171 A) are suitable for X-ray crystallography analysis to 9.9 A using synchrotron radiation at cryotemperature. Crystallographic data from native and a potential heavy-atom derivative have been collected.

Mass spectrometry of ribosomes and ribosomal subunits.

Nanoflow electrospray ionization has been used to introduce intact Escherichia coli ribosomes into the ion source of a mass spectrometer. Mass spectra of remarkable quality result from a partial, but selective, dissociation of the particles within the mass spectrometer. Peaks in the spectra have been assigned to individual ribosomal proteins and to noncovalent complexes of up to five component ...

Statistical image analysis of electron micrographs of ribosomal subunits.

Effect of ribonuclease T1 on ribosomal subunits of rat liver.

The accessibility of 28S RNA within the ribosomal subunits to ribonuclease T1 was studied, in comparing results obtained after enzyme treatment of compact, K+ deficient 60S subunits and of EDTA-treated 60S subunits. RNA, extracted from the subunits, using a mixture of sodium dodecyl sulfate and phenol was analyzed on sucrose gradients. The RNA from active subunits was only degraded in high enzy...

Functional dichotomy of ribosomal proteins during the synthesis of mammalian 40S ribosomal subunits

Our knowledge of the functions of metazoan ribosomal proteins in ribosome synthesis remains fragmentary. Using siRNAs, we show that knockdown of 31 of the 32 ribosomal proteins of the human 40S subunit (ribosomal protein of the small subunit [RPS]) strongly affects pre-ribosomal RNA (rRNA) processing, which often correlates with nucleolar chromatin disorganization. 16 RPSs are strictly required...