Characterization of the prokaryotic ribosome by dielectric spectroscopy

Abstract We present here a critical analysis of the study of the bacterial ribosome 70S from Escherichia coli . Our results obtained essentially by dielectric spectroscopy show intrinsic structural features of the ribosome particle. In particular, an inner `kernel' formed by the RNA–protein association is found within the ribosome. Dielectric data strongly suggest that this kernel is surrounded by a ribonucleoprotein complex more exposed to the solvent. We also hypothesize a possible biological and functional significance for these findings.