3.04: Ribosomes — libretexts.dev mirror

Ribosomes are the protein-synthesizing machines of the cell. They translate the information encoded in messenger RNA (mRNA) into a polypeptide.

Shape, size and function

Ribosomes are roughly spherical with a diameter of ~20 nm, they can be seen only with the electron microscope. Figure $3.4.1$ is an electron micrograph showing clusters of ribosomes. These clusters, called polysomes, are held together by messenger RNA (mRNA). They can make up 25% of the dry weight of cells (e.g., pancreas cells) and specialize in protein synthesis. A single pancreas cell can synthesize 5 million molecules of protein per minute.

Close-up view of a textured surface with clusters of small, rough, and rocky formations scattered across it. The surface appears black and white with varying shades of gray. — Figure $3.4.1$ : An electron micrograph of polysomes held together with mRNA. Image courtesy of Alexander Rich.

In eukaryotes, ribosomes that synthesize proteins for use within the cytosol (e.g., enzymes of glycolysis) are suspended in the cytosol. The specific ribosomes that synthesize proteins destined for secretion (by exocytosis), the plasma membrane (e.g., cell surface receptors), and lysosomes. These ribosomes are attached to the cytosolic face of the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum. As the polypeptide is synthesized, it is extruded into the interior (lumen) of the endoplasmic reticulum. Then, before these proteins reach their final destinations, they undergo a series of processing steps in the Golgi apparatus.

Ribosomes that synthesize 13 of the proteins destined for the inner membrane of mitochondria are found within the mitochondrion itself and are quite different in structure from the others. The ribosomes of bacteria, eukaryotes, and mitochondria differ in many details of their structure (Table $3.4.1$ ). However, despite these differences, the basic operations of bacterial, eukaryotic, and mitochondrial ribosomes are very similar.

Table $3.4.1$ : Comparison of Ribosome Structure in Bacteria, Eukaryotes, and Human Mitochondria
	Bacterial (70S)	Eukaryotic (80S)	Mitochondrial (55S)
Large Subunit	50S	60S	39S
rRNAs (1 of each)	23S (2904 nts)	28S (4700 nts)	16S (1560 nts)
	5S (120 nts)	5S (120 nts)
		5.8S (160 nts)
Proteins	35	47	50
Small Subunit	30S	40S	28S
rRNA	16S (1542 nts)	18S (1900 nts)	12S (950 nts)
Proteins	20	33	30
S values are the sedimentation coefficient: a measure of the rate at which the particles are spun down in the ultracentrifuge. S values are not additive. nts = nucleotides.