EF-Tu Structure for Molecular Biology

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The EF-Tu, Phe-tRNAPhe, GTP analog Complex.

The E. coli EF-Tu protein is a translational elongation factor that binds to charged tRNAs. The three domains of this protein are shown first using the Cartoon display, with Structure coloring (cf. Fig. 1 of Nissen et al.).
The GTP analog, GDPNP, and the Mg2+ are shown as Spacefill with CPK coloring.

View the entire complex (cf. Fig. 4 of Nissen et al.).
The protein is colored red (domain I), green (domain II), and blue (domain III).
The tRNA (charged with Phe) is colored according to its "cloverleaf" segments: aminoacyl acceptor stem (yellow), D-arm (orange), T-arm (red), anticodon arm (green), variable loop (magenta); the phenylalanine and the three anticodon bases are blue. 

Viewing tips:
Use the buttons to the right of the image to show only portions of the structure; then use the Chime menu to display or color the molecule. The rotate buttons act on the entire structure. Remove the distance monitors with a second click.

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Back to Structures for Molecular Biology at CMU.
The tRNA Structure Tutorial has more detailed displays of tRNAPhe.
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Coordinates from 1TTT.pdb (chains A & D).