The 30S Subunit
The following image is the whole 30S subunit.
The small subunit has a head and base and an armlike platform. It has a crucial role
in decoding mRNA by providing the A, P, and E binding sites and by being
responsible for monitoring base-pairing between the codon on mRNA and the anticodon on
tRNA. The 30S subunit is composed of 16S rRNA and 21 ribosomal proteins.
Using crystal diffraction and NMR methods, it is possible to
obtain information on fine structure.
Learn more about 16S rRNA
Learn more about the
ribosomal proteins
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References