ribosomal structure

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY: ON RNA STRUCTURE
Elucidation of the crystal structures of the ribosome and its subunits have greatly increased the store of information about RNA structure. This information is moving toward an understanding of the principles of RNA folding and of the molecular interactions generating functional capabilities of the ribosome and other RNA systems. Almost all of the possible types of RNA tertiary interactions have been found in ribosomal RNA. One of these interactions is an abundant tertiary structural motif called the A-minor interaction. It has been observed that this participates in both aminoacyl-transfer RNA selection and in peptidyl transferase. It may also play an important role in the structural dynamics of the ribosome.