MOLECULAR RECOGNITION GOVERNING THE INITIATION OF TRANSLATION IN ESCHERICHIA-COLI - A REVIEW

Selection of the proper start codon for the synthesis of a polypeptide by the Escherichia coli translation initiation apparatus involves sev eral macromolecular components. These macromolecules interact in a spe cific and concerted manner to yield the translation initiation complex . This review focuses on recent data concerning the properties of the initiator tRNA and of enzymes and factors involved in the translation initiation process. The three initiation factors, as well as methionyl -tRNA synthetase and methionyl-tRNA(f)(Met) formyltransferase are desc ribed. In addition, the tRNA recognition properties of EF-Tu and pepti dyl-tRNA hydrolase are considered. Finally, peptide deformylase and me thionine aminopeptidase, which catalyze the amino terminal maturation of nascent polypeptides, can also be associated to the translation ini tiation process.