Bacterial Ribosome 50S Subunit (50S)

The bacterial ribosome 50S subunit is the larger component of the prokaryotic (bacterial and archaeal) 70S ribosome, which is essential for protein synthesis. It contains two types of rRNA (23S and 5S) and approximately 31 distinct proteins. Its primary functions include catalyzing peptide bond formation, preventing premature hydrolysis of nascent polypeptides, and providing binding sites for translation factors. It is a major target for several classes of antibiotics.

Other names

Large ribosomal subunitProkaryotic 50S subunitRibosomal 50S subunit

Inhibition of translation by binding to specific sites on or near the peptidyl transferase center (PTC) or other functionally important regions within the subunit, thereby blocking peptide bond formation or other critical steps in protein synthesis.