Ribosome-Catalyzed Peptide-Bond Formation with an A-Site Substrate Covalently Linked to 23 S Ribosomal RNA

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Abstract
In the ribosome, the aminoacyl–transfer RNA (tRNA) analog 4-thio-dT-p-C-p-puromycin crosslinks photochemically with G2553 of 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). This covalently linked substrate reacts with a peptidyl-tRNA analog to form a peptide bond in a peptidyl transferase–catalyzed reaction. This result places the conserved 2555 loop of 23S rRNA at the peptidyl transferase A site and suggests that peptide bond formation can occur uncoupled from movement of the A-site tRNA. Crosslink formation depends on occupancy of the P site by a tRNA carrying an intact CCA acceptor end, indicating that peptidyl-tRNA, directly or indirectly, helps to create the peptidyl transferase A site.