X-ray crystallography shows that translational initiation factor IF3 consists of two compact alpha/beta domains linked by an alpha-helix
Biou, V.; Shu, F.; Ramakrishnan, V.
EMBO Journal 14(16): 4056-4064
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0261-4189 PMID: 7664745 Document Number: 440632
The structures of the two domains of translational initiation factor IF3 from Bacillus stearothermophilus have been solved by X-ray crystallography using single wavelength anomalous scattering and multiwavelength anomalous diffraction. Each of the two domains has an alpha/beta topology, with an exposed beta-sheet that is reminiscent of several ribosomal and other RNA binding proteins. An alpha-helix that protrudes out from the body of the N-terminal domain towards the C-terminal domain suggests that IF3 consists of two RNA binding domains connected by an alpha-helix and that it may bridge two regions of the ribosome. This represents the first high resolution structural information on a translational initiation factor.