mRNA Translocation Occurs During the Second Step of Ribosomal Intersubunit Rotation

During protein synthesis, mRNA and tRNA undergo coupled translocation through the ribosome in a process that is catalyzed by elongation factor EF-G. Based on cryo-EM reconstructions, counterclockwise and clockwise rotational movements between the large and small ribosomal subunits have been implicated in a proposed ratcheting mechanism to drive the unidirectional movement of translocation. We have used a combination of two fluorescence-based approaches to study the timing of these events: Intersubunit FRET measurements to observe relative rotational movement of the subunits and a fluorescence quenching assay to monitor translocation of mRNA. Binding of EF-G·GTP first induces rapid counterclockwise intersubunit rotation, followed by a slower, clockwise reversal of the rotational movement. Comparison of the rates of these movements reveals that mRNA translocation occurs during the second, clockwise rotation event, corresponding to the transition from the hybrid state to the classical state.