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Ribosome Collection
Lending Library: Ribosome Collection (RB)
Teaching Points
The synthesis of proteins relies on the activity of ribosomes, which are complexes of ribosomal RNA
molecules and proteins organized into a large subunit and a small subunit. Together, these subunits
form a functional ribosome, which catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids to
produce a linear polypeptide chain, using the messenger RNA produced through transcription to
determine the order of amino acids. With this collection, students can examine the interaction of the
protein component and the ribosomal RNA component of the subunits. Students can also explore the
differences between the large subunit (50s) and small subunit (30s) of the ribosome. The small
ribosome subunit model displays the interaction of the three transfer RNAs (tRNAs) that are essential
for the transportation of the amino acids into the ribosome complex in order for the peptide bond to
form. Additionally, students can use the individual models of the tRNAs to further investigate the
structure of these molecules.
Models in this Collection
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Large (50s) ribosome subunit
Small (30s) ribosome subunit
Three transfer RNA molecules
Documentation Included
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How do the models fit back in the suitcase?
MSOE Center for BioMolecular Modeling
Ribosome Collection| 1
General Model Information
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The models are made of plaster with the ZCorp 3D printer.
The models are shown in spacefill.
The colors on the ribosome subunits represent recognized RNA domains, based on standard
coloring schemes.
The white portions of the ribosome subunits represent ribosomal proteins.
Pipe cleaners approximate the path of mRNA and the newly synthesized protein.
Model Details
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Large (50s) ribosome subunit (PDB: 1ffk)
Small (30s) ribosome subunit (PDB: 1giy)
o Three tRNAs attached to small ribosomal unit are colored green
Three transfer RNA molecules (PDB: 1ehz)
o tRNA is colored in red and white to visualize the intrastrand base pairing
o 3’ CCA which binds to amino acid is colored yellow
o Anticodon is colored blue
MSOE Center for BioMolecular Modeling
Ribosome Collection| 2