Solution structure of the natively assembled yeast ribosomal stalk determined by small-angle X-ray scattering

Abstract

The ribosomal stalk of the 60S subunit has been shown to play a crucial role in all steps of protein synthesis, but its structure and exact molecular function remain an unanswered question. In the present study, we show the low-resolution models of the solution structure of the yeast ribosomal stalk, composed of five proteins, P0–(P1–P2)2. The model of the pentameric stalk complex determined by small-angle X-ray scattering reveals an elongated shape with a maximum length of 13 nm. The model displays three distinct lobes, which may correspond to the individual P1–P2 heterodimers anchored to the C-terminal domain of the P0 protein.