Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Nanoflow electrospray ionization has been used to introduce intact Escherichia coli ribosomes into the ion source of a mass spectrometer. Mass spectra of remarkable quality result from a partial, but selective, dissociation of the particles within the mass spectrometer. Peaks in the spectra have been assigned to individual ribosomal proteins and to noncovalent complexes of up to five component proteins. The pattern of dissociation correlates strongly with predicted features of ribosomal protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions. The spectra allow the dynamics and state of folding of specific proteins to be investigated in the context of the intact ribosome. This study demonstrates a potentially general strategy to probe interactions within complex biological assemblies.

Original publication

DOI

10.1073/pnas.95.13.7391

Type

Journal article

Journal

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Publication Date

23/06/1998

Volume

95

Pages

7391 - 7395

Keywords

Escherichia coli, Mass Spectrometry, Molecular Weight, Protein Binding, Protein Biosynthesis, Protein Conformation, RNA, Bacterial, Ribosomal Proteins, Ribosomes