EF-Tu protein bound to Cys-tRNACys

Here we see the ternary elongation complex of translation in prokaryotes:

  • aminoacyl-tRNA
  • EF-Tu elongation factor
  • GTP bound to EF-Tu
    (GTP has a bound Mg2+ ion)
Stick rendering is used to highlight GTP, the cisteinyl residue and the 3'-terminal nucleotide of tRNA, to which it is bound (adenylate).

Focus on the 3' end of tRNA with the amino acid bound (Cys).   In CPK colour.

focus on the binding site of GTP.   In CPK colour.

Spacefilling model.