Structural organization of organellar ribosomes, as revealed by cryo-EM

Biochemistry Divisional Seminar Series

My laboratory has determined cryo-EM structures of ribosomes from chloroplasts and mitochondria. While the structure of the chloroplast ribosome is very similar to that of a eubacterial ribosome, structures of the mitochondrial ribosomes (or mitoribosomes) are found to be highly divergent. The two mitoribosomes that we have studied include a protistan (Leishmania tarentolae) and a mammalian (Bos taurus) species, both with significantly smaller sizes of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), compared to those in a eubacterial ribosome. In fact, the L. tarentolae mitochondrial rRNAs are among the smallest rRNAs known. Effect of reduction in size of rRNA on the function of the mammalian mitoribosome will be presented.

For more information contact Prof. Loren Williams (404-894-9752) or Prof. Steve Harvey (404-385-4498).