tRNA Selection and Codon Recognition
Francis Crick proposed the adaptor hypothesis predicting tRNA in 1955. Robert Holley determined first tRNA structure earning the 1968 Nobel Prize. Ribosome structural biology by Ramakrishnan, Steitz, and Yonath revealed tRNA binding sites. Biochemists characterize aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases ensuring correct amino acid-tRNA pairings maintaining genetic code accuracy.
Translation Fidelity and Error Rates
Hani Zaher and Rachel Green demonstrated how ribosomes detect and respond to translation errors. Researchers measure error rates using reporter systems and mass spectrometry. Evolutionary biologists study error rate optimization across organisms. Systems biologists model translation fidelity’s impact on proteome quality and cellular fitness.
EF-Tu and GTP Hydrolysis in Translation
Ramakrishnan’s ribosome structures revealed EF-Tu positioning during tRNA delivery. Mathias Rodnina characterized EF-Tu kinetics demonstrating GTP hydrolysis timing. EF-Tu represents most abundant protein in bacteria—5-10% of total protein mass. Biochemists study elongation factor mechanisms across all domains of life—EF-Tu in bacteria, eEF1A in eukaryotes.
Kinetic Proofreading Mechanism
John Hopfield proposed kinetic proofreading in 1974 explaining how energy expenditure enhances molecular recognition accuracy. Jacques Ninio independently developed similar concepts. The mechanism earned experimental validation in ribosomal tRNA selection, DNA replication, and immune recognition. Biochemists recognize kinetic proofreading as universal strategy for achieving accuracy exceeding equilibrium discrimination.