Translation Initiation

Abstract : Selection of correct start codons on mRNAs is a key step required for faithful translation of the genetic message. Such a selection occurs in a complex process, during which a translation-competent ribosome assembles, eventually having in its P site a specialized tRNAMet base paired with the start codon on the mRNA. This chapter summarizes recent advances describing, at the molecular level, the successive steps involved in the process. In particular, structural analyses concerning complexes containing ribosomal subunits, as well as detailed kinetic studies, have shed new light on the sequence of events leading to initiation of protein synthesis in Bacteria