Included in this entry is a domain of mitochondrial Elongation factor G1 (mtEFG1) proteins that is homologous to domain IV of EF-G. Eukaryotic cells harbor 2 protein synthesis systems: one localized in the cytoplasm, the other in the mitochondria. Most factors regulating mitochondrial protein synthesis are encoded by nuclear genes, translated in the cytoplasm, and then transported to the mitochondria. … expand

Included in this entry is a domain of mitochondrial Elongation factor G1 (mtEFG1) proteins that is homologous to domain IV of EF-G. Eukaryotic cells harbor 2 protein synthesis systems: one localized in the cytoplasm, the other in the mitochondria. Most factors regulating mitochondrial protein synthesis are encoded by nuclear genes, translated in the cytoplasm, and then transported to the mitochondria. The eukaryotic system of elongation factor (EF) components is more complex than that in prokaryotes, with both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial elongation factors and multiple isoforms being expressed in certain species. During the process of peptide synthesis and tRNA site changes, the ribosome is moved along the mRNA a distance equal to one codon with the addition of each amino acid. In bacteria this translocation step is catalyzed by EF-G_GTP, which is hydrolyzed to provide the required energy. Thus, this action releases the uncharged tRNA from the P site and transfers the newly formed peptidyl-tRNA from the A site to the P site. Eukaryotic mtEFG1 proteins show significant homology to bacterial EF-Gs. Mutants in yeast mtEFG1 have impaired mitochondrial protein synthesis, respiratory defects and a tendency to lose mitochondrial DNA [ PUBMED:11735030 PUBMED:1935960 PUBMED:15922593 PUBMED:1602493 PUBMED:8159735 PUBMED:10837219 PUBMED:12471894 PUBMED:16213500 PUBMED:12932345 ].

EF2 has five domains. This entry represents domain IV found in EF2 (or EF-G) of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The EF2-GTP-ribosome complex undergoes extensive structural rearrangement for tRNA-mRNA movement to occur. Domain IV, which extends from the 'body' of the EF2 molecule much like a lever arm, facilitates the movement of peptidyl-tRNA from the A to the P site, being critical for the structural transition to take place [ PUBMED:25288752 ].

Elongation factor EF2 (EF-G) is a G-protein. It brings about the translocation of peptidyl-tRNA and mRNA through a ratchet-like mechanism: the binding of GTP-EF2 to the ribosome causes a counter-clockwise rotation in the small ribosomal subunit; the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP by EF2 and the subsequent release of EF2 causes a clockwise rotation of the small subunit back to the starting position [ PUBMED:12762009 PUBMED:12762047 ]. This twisting action destabilises tRNA-ribosome interactions, freeing the tRNA to translocate along the ribosome upon GTP-hydrolysis by EF2. EF2 binding also affects the entry and exit channel openings for the mRNA, widening it when bound to enable the mRNA to translocate along the ribosome.

Translation elongation factors are responsible for two main processes during protein synthesis on the ribosome [ PUBMED:12762045 PUBMED:15922593 PUBMED:12932732 ]. EF1A (or EF-Tu) is responsible for the selection and binding of the cognate aminoacyl-tRNA to the A-site (acceptor site) of the ribosome. EF2 (or EF-G) is responsible for the translocation of the peptidyl-tRNA from the A-site to the P-site (peptidyl-tRNA site) of the ribosome, thereby freeing the A-site for the next aminoacyl-tRNA to bind. Elongation factors are responsible for achieving accuracy of translation and both EF1A and EF2 are remarkably conserved throughout evolution.