Ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) (rRNA)

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is the catalytic and structural component of the ribosome, the cellular machinery responsible for protein synthesis. In bacteria, the ribosome consists of the 30S and 50S subunits, containing the 16S, 23S, and 5S rRNA molecules, which serve as the primary targets for a wide range of clinically important antibiotics. These drugs bind to specific functional sites, such as the decoding center on the 16S rRNA or the peptidyl transferase center (PTC) on the 23S rRNA, to inhibit translation. Beyond these well-characterized pockets, 'additional ribosomal rRNA sites' refer to emerging or non-canonical binding regions being explored to overcome antibiotic resistance or to target eukaryotic rRNA in diseases like cancer. Because rRNA is highly conserved yet possesses distinct structural differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, it remains a cornerstone for selective toxicity in antimicrobial therapy.

Other names

Ribosomal RNA16S ribosomal RNA23S ribosomal RNA5S ribosomal RNA18S ribosomal RNA28S ribosomal RNA5.8S ribosomal RNARibosomal RNA binding sites

Inhibition of protein synthesis by binding to specific sites on the ribosomal RNA, leading to interference with decoding, translocation, or peptidyl transfer.