Protein synthesis relies on several translational GTPases (trGTPases), related proteins that couple the hydrolysis of GTP to specific molecular events on the ribosome. Most bacterial trGTPases, including IF2, EF-Tu, EF-G, and RF3, play well-known roles in translation. The cellular functions of LepA (also termed EF4) and BipA (also termed TypA), on the other hand, have remained enigmatic. I will discuss recent evidence that LepA and BipA function in biogenesis of the 30S and 50S subunit, respectively. These findings have important implications for ribosome biogenesis in bacteria.










Kurt Fredrick (The Ohio State University)