Abstract 3065 The final cut: How release factors drive peptidyl-tRNA hydrolysis on the ribosome

Translation termination is essential in all living organisms, ensuring that proteins have lengths strictly defined by their genes. This universal process is mediated by peptide release factors (RFs) that recognize stop codons and catalyze hydrolysis of peptidyl-tRNA on the ribosome by presumably activating a water molecule. We report structures of the bacterial ribosome in complex with peptidyl-tRNA and RF in the pre-peptide release state. No hydrolytic water molecule is seen in the peptidyl transferase center.