Ribosomes are molecular machines within cells, responsible for synthesizing proteins by decoding messenger RNA (mRNA). Scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital used a combination of single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to examine both the structure and function of human ribosomes. This allowed them to determine that the process of mRNA decoding in human ribosomes is structurally and kinetically distinct from bacteria, which helps explain why the process in humans is slower and more accurate—and where it can be regulated. These findings are significant because changes in mRNA decoding accuracy in human ribosomes have been linked to aging and disease and may represent a potential point of therapeutic intervention.

Learn more about the study. http://bit.ly/3zxa9v8
Explore open jobs. http://www.stjude.org/joinourmission
Follow @StJudeResearch across social media to explore St. Jude science and clinical care.

Twitter: https://bit.ly/StJude-Twitter
Facebook: https://bit.ly/StJude-Facebook
Instagram: https://bit.ly/StJude-Instagram
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/StJude-LinkedIn
Mastodon: https://bit.ly/StJude-Mastodon

#StJude #smFRET #cryoEM #mRNA #StructuralBiology #Ribosome #StJudeResearch