STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF RIBOSOMES

G.vinothini
1st msc
agri(biotechnology)
DEFINITION

Ribosomes are small ; dense; membrane; rounded and granular

ribonucleoprotein organelle.which occur either freely in matrix of
mitochondria ; chloroplast and cytoplasm or remain attached to
membrane of ER and nucleus
HISTORY:
1. George E .palade (1953) 1st observed dense particle in animal cell
and called as "PALADE 'S PARTICLES".

2.Richard B.Roberted named them RIBOSOMES(1958).

3.Tissieres and J.D. Watson (1958)

isolated ribosomes from E. coli for the first time. It was shown that
ribosomes contain
approximately equal amount of RNA and proteins.
TYPES OF RIBOSOMES:
Based on the size and Sedimentation coefficient (S),
Two types
70S ribosomes and 80S ribosomes.

The sedimentation coefficient is expressed in the Svedberg unit

i.e., the S unit. Svedberg units are not directly additive, they
represent a rate of sedimentation, not weight
70S RIBOSOME
They are relatively smaller in size and have a sedimentation coefficient of
the 70S. This type of ribosome consists of a large 50S subunit and a small
30S subunit.

They occur in the prokaryotic cells (e.g.- bacteria, blue-green algae) and
also in mitochondria and chloroplasts of eukaryotic cells.

The molecular weight of the 70S ribosome is 2.5×106 daltons and

the dimension of each ribosome is about 200-290 Å × 170-210 Å.
80S Ribosome
They are relatively larger in size than 70S ribosomes and are mainly found in
the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells (plant and animal cells).

The sedimentation coefficient of this type of ribosome is the 80S. Each 80S
ribosome is made up of two subunits the smaller 40S subunit remains
attached to a larger 60S subunit like a cap. Their molecular weight is 2.7 ×
106 daltons and the dimension of 300-340 Å × 200-240 Å.
STRUCTURE OF RIBOSOMES
STRUCTURE OF RIBOSOMES:
💡Made from complexes of RNA' s and proteins and
therefore;RIBONUCLEOPROTEIN.
💡 Divided into 2 units
1. SMALL SUBUNIT -which binds to large subunit and mRNA
2. LARGE SUBUNIT - which binds to tRNA ; amino acid and small

Subunit.
💡 Prokaryotes have 70S ribosomes { little subunit 30 S and bigger subunit
50S.
💡 small subunit has 16S RNA (consisting of 15040 nucleotides)bound to
21 proteins
💡large subunit composed of 5s RNA ( 120 nucleotides); 23S RNA ( 2900
nucleotides) and 31 proteins .
💡 Eukaryotes have 80s ribosomes comprising of little 40S and substantial
60S .
💡Larger 60S ribosomal subunit is round in shape and contains channel
through which growing polypeptide chain exit.
💡 Consists of 3 types of rRNA ( 28S rRNA; 5.8 rRNA; 5S rRNA )and 40
proteins named L1; L2;L3; and so on...
💡Two subunit fit together & work as one to translate mRNA into polypeptide
chain during protein synthesis.
💡Existence of ribosomes is temporary ; after synthesis of polyeptides two
subunit separate and Reused or broken up.
EFFECT OF Mg+ ion:
2 structure (cup and cap) of ribosomes remain united due to high
concentration (0.001M) of Mg 2+ions

When concentration of Mg2+ion reduces in matrix of cytoplasm both

subunit get separated and at high concentration became associated.

POLYRIBOSOMES:
During protein synthesis many ribosomes bind to an individual
mRNA molecules forming a POLYRIBOSOMES or POLYSOMES or
ERGOSOMES.
Various models regarding structure of ribosomes.
1.Quasi symmetrical model (Stoffler andWittmann)
2.Asymmetrical model (J.A.Lake)
3.Three dimensional model

Among them, J. A. Lake given asymmetrical model (also known as Lake’s

model) is the most common and universally accepted.

According to this model, the smaller subunit has three parts- a head, a
base, and a platform. The platform separates the head from the base by a
cleft. On the other, the larger subunit also consists of three parts- a ridge,
a central protuberance, and a stalk. The first two are separated with the
Lake’s model of the 70S ribosome
Three special regions are seen between the two subunits of a
ribosome. These are aminoacyl site (A-site) or acceptor site, peptidyl
site (P-site), and exit side (E-site).

During the protein synthesis, aminoacyl-tRNA bounded to the

ribosome at the A-site, peptidyl-tRNA bounded to the ribosome at the
p- site, and while at E-site, the deacylated-tRNA exits from the
ribosome.
Chemical Composition of Ribosomes
The major constituents of ribosomes are highly flooded ribosomal RNA
(rRNA) and proteins. The lipids are entirely absent or present in traces.

The 70S ribo­somes contain three types of rRNA:

23S rRNA(3300 nucleotides)
16S rRNA(1650 nucleotides)
5S rRNA(120 nucleotides)
The larger 50S ribosomal subunit contains 23S and 5S rRNA, while the 16S
rRNA occurs in the smaller 30S subunit.
The 80S ribosomes possess four types of rRNA:

28S rRNA(4700 nucleotides)

18S rRNA(1900 nucleotides)
5.8S rRNA(160 nucleotides)
5S rRNA(120 nucleotides)
The 28S, 5S, and 5.8S rRNAs are present in the larger 60S ribosomal subunit
and the smaller 40S subunit contains 18S rRNA.
Ribosomal Proteins
The ribosomal proteins may be basic, structural, or enzymatic in function. The
ribosomal proteins of smaller ribosomal subunits are termed S-proteins, while
L-proteins are in larger ribosomal subunits.
The larger ribosomal subunit contains an important enzyme – peptidyl
transferase which catalyzes the formation of the peptide bonds. Inside the
ribosome, the rRNA remains fully adhered to proteins. The ribosomes are,
therefore, ribonucleoprotein(RNP) particles.

Metallic Ions
In addition to rRNA and proteins, ribo­somes also contain some
divalent metallic ions, such as Mg2+, Ca2+, and Mn2+.
organization of mRNAs and the initiation of translation

Translation does not simply begin at

the 5′ end of the mRNA; it starts at specific initiation sites. The 5′
terminal
portions of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic mRNAs are therefore
noncoding
sequences, referred to as 5′ untranslated regions (UTR).
Shine-Dalgarno sequence
The process of translation
Functions of Ribosomes
Protein synthesis: The principal function of a ribosome is
protein synthesis(translation-process of synthesizing proteins). In all
living cells, ribosome serves as the site of biological protein
synthesis.

Transport the synthesized proteins: Ribosomes also

function as the transporter of the synthesized proteins.

Helps in protoplasm formation: The free ribosomes present in the

cytoplasm synthesize various proteins that help in the formation of
protoplasm.
As catalysts: Ribosome acts as catalysts in the biological
processes of peptidyl transfer and peptidyl hydrolysis.

Plays a protective role: The newly synthesized

polypeptide chains passing through the tunnel or channel of
the larger subunit of the ribosome are protec­ted against the
action of protein-digesting enzymes.
THANK YOU