The first artificial ribosome was designed to produce proteins in cells

Science and technology daily, Beijing, Aug 2 (reporter Fang Linlin) researchers at the University of Illinois, Chicago and Northwestern University have designed an artificial ribosome that can produce proteins and enzymes inside cells like natural ribosomes The method can be used to produce new drugs and next-generation biomaterials, thus helping scientists better understand the function of ribosomes When cells produce proteins, mRNA (messenger RNA) is copied from DNA The two subunits of ribosome (composed of RNA and protein) are one large and one small They work together with mRNA to form a functional unit for assembling proteins in the transcription process Once the protein molecule is completed, the two subunits of ribosome will automatically diverge Frustrated by the fact that ribosomal subunits separate and merge in each protein cycle, the researchers devised a scheme to link the two subunits together forever In a recent paper published in the journal Nature, the researchers described the design and properties of an artificial ribosome called "ribo-t" and emphasized that its two subunits would not be separated eventually Manipulation of the artificial ribosomes in the laboratory could allow them to do things that natural ribosomes can't do - to produce polymers with unique functions to further explore ribosome functions, and perhaps one day produce abiotic polymers, according to the physicist's organization network Surprisingly, artificial ribosomes can not only form the functions of natural ribosomes in cells, but also support the growth of life in cells lacking ribosomes For example, it can produce enough proteins in bacterial cells lacking natural ribosomes, thus ensuring the survival of bacteria This fact overturns the previous scientific view that "the separation of two subunits of ribosome is driven by protein synthesis" The researchers believe that the new artificial ribosome manufacturing method provides a good opportunity for the development of synthetic biology and Biomolecular Engineering, and this tool for exploring ribosome function is absolutely new and exciting.