Cotranslational protein folding

The review analyzes the research concerning the folding of proteins in the course of their synthesis on ribosomes. The experimental data obtained for various proteins using various methods give grounds for concluding that a n ascent protein largely acquires its spatial structure while still attached to the ribosome, and final foldina into the biologically active conformatio n takes place as soon as the completed protein is released therefrom. Cotra nslational folding is characteristic of both bacterial and eukaryotic cells , and appears to be the universal and the most evolutionarily ancient mecha nism.