Single Molecule Studies Of Prokaryotic Translation

Translation is a multi-step, multi-component process requiring intricate communication to achieve speed, accuracy, and regulation. The next step in understanding this process is to reveal the functional significance of large-scale motions and dynamic interactions implied by static ribosome structures. This requires determination of the trajectories, time scales, forces, and biochemical signals that underlie these conformational changes and binding events. Single molecule methods have emerged as powerful tools for probing translation. Here, we chronicle the key discoveries in this nascent field, which have shed light on the dynamic nature of protein biosynthesis.