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    Polypeptide Synthesis &

    Ribosome Structure

    Pre-Golgi, post-transcriptional protein

    synthesis and the anatomy of a ribosome

    Kyle Laracey

    Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

    Dr. Wachtmeister

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    Introduction

    Background Research

    I. Ribosome Structure

    The purpose of a ribosome is to translate the transcripted mRNA code into the

    correct amino acids by means of amino-acylatedtRNAs (1). Hence, this step of protein

    synthesis is entitled translation.

    The bacterial ribosome has an approximate mass of 2.6-2.8 MDa, a diameter of

    200-250 , and a sedimentation coefficient of 70S (1). 70S represents the Svedberg

    value, the rate of sedimentation in an ultracentrifuge. Svedberg units are not additive, andthus the multiple subunits of a ribosome each have Svedberg values that may not add up

    to the completed ribosomes sedimentation coefficient (2). The 70Sribosome (found in

    prokaryotes, e.g. E. coli) is comprised of two different sized subunits: the smaller 30S

    subunit and the larger 50S subunit (1). In total, the 70S ribosome is made up of 3

    ribosomal RNAs and 54 different proteins (3). The subunits are ribonucleoprotein

    particles, each comprised of one third protein and two-thirds ribosomal RNA. The

    smaller 30S subunit contains a single 16S rRNA; the larger 50S subunit contains both a

    5S and 23S rRNA. Both the subunits can be described anthropomorphically. The 30S

    subunit is said to have a head connected via a neck to the body of the subunit, with

    a shoulder and platform. However, the 50S subunit is much more compact; it is

    rounded and has only three protrusions (1). The peptidyltransferase center (the location

    where peptide bonds are formed) is located wholly in the 50S subunit (1, 4).

    A unique feature of the 50S subunit is the tunnel, which runs from the peptidyl-

    transferase center (the site where peptide bonds are formed) right above the P-site on the

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    central protrusion to the base on the cytoplasmic face. Such a tunnel is also found in the

    80S found in embryos of chicken. In fact, it is found in many ribosomes of radically

    different species. The tunnel is one of many universally conserved features of the

    ribosome, which are most likely vital to the functionality of the ribosome. It appears that

    nascent proteins do indeed exit from this tunnel. (1, 5)

    Because the tunnel is lined with hydrophilic, neutrally charged functional groups,

    many kinds of nascent peptides may easily pass through. In fact, because protein

    synthesis is such an exacting and complicated phenomenon, the components must

    conserve their structure and ergo function throughout evolution. It is assumed that alltRNAs, 16S and 23S (and alike rRNAs) all have identical overall secondary and tertiary

    structures as well. (1)

    Molecules of ribosomal RNA are produced in the nucleolus, which contains all

    the genes corresponding to rRNA. The nucleolus is also one of the locations of the

    assembly of ribosomal subunits from the ribosomal protein and rRNA. It is a type of non-

    coding RNA and is a permanent component of the ribosomal subunits. rRNA primarily

    functions in recognizing the different codons of mRNA and recognizing each tRNA. The

    decoding center is located in the 30S subunit is constructed wholly of rRNA and

    functions in lining up and positioning the mRNA and tRNA.The three tRNA binding sites

    (A-, P-, and E- sites) of the ribosome are located on the 50S subunit and are primarily

    comprised of rRNA. The PTC is also comprised of rRNA specifically the 23S strand.

    This leads many to consider the ribosome a ribozyme. (1, 6, 7)

    In a similar fashion to the 50S tunnel, the rRNA of prokaryotic and eukaryotic

    proteins are almost universally conserved, with the aforementioned 3 rRNA strands found

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    in all prokaryotic ribosomes, and a set of fourrRNA strands found in all eukaryotes. This

    is most probably because of the essential and complex role of rRNA in the ribosome. (8)

    II. Structure of tRNA

    tRNA is a fundamental part of protein synthesis. This is the delivery mechanism

    for amino acids to the ribosome for assembly into a larger polypeptide (1). All tRNAs are

    similar, each with 73-93 nucleotides. At the 3 end of each tRNA is the nucleotide

    sequence 5 CCA 3. This is the location that the amino acid binds to i.e., the

    Adenine of the CCA sequence. 7-15% of the bases of a tRNA are unique or modified; forinstance, certain adenines are changed to inosines. The secondary structure resembles that

    of a cloverleaf (9, 10).

    The tRNA has four loops: a D loop, an anticodon loop, a variable loop, and a T

    loop (counter-clockwise) (1). Its tertiary structure resembles an uppercase L shape. The

    anticodon loop and the CCA accepter stem are as far away from each other as possible

    at opposite ends of the tRNA. This is to ensure that there is no interference between the

    anticodon of the tRNA and the codon of the mRNA by the acceptor stems CCA chain,

    which contains no hydrogen bonds to other nucleotides of the tRNA (see figure). This

    acceptor stem and the CCA chain is the docking site of the tRNA with the P- or A- site of

    the ribosome (1, 10)

    The amino acid is connected to the proper tRNA by means of a family of enzymes

    called aminoacyl-tRNAsynthetases. There is one aa-tRNAsynthetase for each amino acid.

    The accuracy of the aa-tRNAsynthetases is absolutely crucial; there is no proofreading

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    done of the amino acid in the actual ribosome, only some concerning the fidelity of the

    binding between the codon and a correct tRNA. (1, 10)

    III. Initiation of protein translation

    The actual synthesis of protein begins with the binding of the mRNA with the 30S

    subunit. The ribosome having disassociated into its subunits or never having been

    together in the first place, the Shine and Dalgarno (SD) sequence of the mRNA binds

    with the anti-SD sequence on the 16S rRNAon the smaller ribosomal subunit (e.g. the

    30S of the 70S, or the 40S of the 80S). The formation of the SD-anti-SD complexprimarily allows for the correct positioning of the start codon (AUG) of the mRNA at the

    P-site. The SD sequence is to the left (i.e., towards the 5 end) of the AUG start

    codon.See Figure 1 (p. 10) for a diagram of the Shine Dalgarno sequence. (1, 9, 11)

    After the formation of the SD complex, the special initiator tRNA charged with

    formylatedmethione(called tRNAfmeti or fmet-tRNA) binds with the P site. In eubacteria,

    initiation is catalyzed by three initiation factors: IF1, IF2, and IF3. Many more initiation

    factors are required in eukaryotes/archaea. The mRNA and initiator-tRNAmeti in place,

    this pre-initiation 30S complex binds with the 50S subunit, thus forming the 70S

    ribosome. This connection is catalyzed by IF1. IF3 is believed to cause the 70S ribosome

    to disassociate into its two subunits to begin the process. An overview of the initiation

    stage may be seen in Figure 2 (p. 10). (1, 9, 11)

    First, IF3 binds with the 30S subunit resulting in the splitting of the 70S

    ribosome. IF3 positions the mRNA such that the start codon AUG is on the P-site. IF3

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    also catalyzes the interaction of the anti-SD sequence and the 16S and 30S. Then, the

    fmet-tRNA(with or without the help of IF2) binds at the P-site. (1)

    IV. Elongation of nascent protein

    The elongation cycle of a nascent protein can be divided into three phases: (i)

    incoming animoacyl-tRNA occupation of the A-site. (ii) Peptide bond formation in which

    the lengthening polypeptide chain is moved from the tRNA in the P-site onto the

    aminoacid of the A-site tRNA. (iii) Translocation, which is the movement of the mRNA

    bonded to two tRNAs a distance of one codon. This moves the deacylatedtRNA (i.e., thetRNA which has just lost the polypeptide chain to the A-site tRNA) to the E-site (or exit

    site) and the peptidyl-tRNA (tRNA previously occupying the A-site, charged with the

    nascent polypeptide chain) to the P-site. See Figure 3 (p. 11) for a general orientation

    and layout of the ribosome at the time of elongation.See Figure 4 (p. 12) for a detailed

    description of elongation. (1, 9, 11)

    Just as in initiation, elongation uses protein factors to catalyze the cycle. In

    bacteria specifically, elongation factor (EF) G (EF-G) and elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu)

    are very important for the speeding up of elongation. EF-G is involved in translocation,

    and EF-Tu is involved in the positioning of the aa-tRNA into the A-site. Both Elongation

    factors are GTPases. (8, 11, 12)

    The cycle of elongation can also be divided into the PRE and POST states. PRE

    refers to the ribosome before translocation, where the tRNAs are located in the P- and E-

    sites, and POST refers to after Translocation, in which the tRNAs are located in the A-

    and P-sites. The changing of the state of the ribosome (either POST PRE or

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    PREPOST) is separated by a high activation-energy barrier of approximately 80-90kJ

    mol-1. The elongation factors significantly reduce this barrier, thus significantly

    accelerating protein synthesis more than 104 fold. In the absence of EF-G, spontaneous

    translocation takes 2 minutes, while with EF-G, translation takes a mere 30 s.

    Spontaneous translocation refers to the phenomenon in which a ribosome will

    spontaneously change from the PRE to POST state (after peptide bond formation, at 37

    degrees Celsius, after approximately 2 minutes). Thus, in this regard, EF-G is very

    similar to an enzyme. (1)

    In stage one of elongation, the incoming aminoacyl-tRNAenters the A-site. Thisaa-tRNA is bound with both EF-Tu and GTP, the source of the energy for the reaction

    binding the codon and the cognate tRNA. The ternary complex - -

    enters the A-site. EF-Tu hydrolyzes GTP to GDP, using the energy produced to bind the

    aa-tRNA to the mRNA. The binary complex - is then released. (1, 11, 13)

    In stage two, peptide transfer and translocation, the growing polypeptide located

    on the peptidyl-tRNA located in the P-site is transferred onto the amino acid of the aa-

    tRNA of the A-site (1). The peptydil-transferase center (PTC) is the location where the

    peptide bond is actually formed, and is wholly contained in the larger 50S subunit (14,

    15). The -amino group of the aa-tRNA in the A-site of the PTC center attacks the

    carbonyl group of the ester bond which links the peptidyl-tRNA in the P-site. The P-site

    tRNA is thus made deacylated, and the growing polypeptide is then bound with the one

    amino acid of the A-site tRNA by means of a peptide bond (1, 15).

    Now, the deacylatedtRNA of the P-site is to be translocated to the E-site, and the

    new peptidyl-tRNA of the A-site must be translocated to the P-site. This translocation is

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    done with the aid of EF-G. This step results in the change of state of the ribosome from

    the PRE to POST stage. Each tRNA will be moved precisely 10 (the length of one

    mRNA codon) to the left (towards the 5 end). In itself, the ribosome has the ability to

    perform translocation; however, EF-G functions to reduce the energy of activation,

    thereby speeding up the reaction by a factor of 10. (1,11,13)

    EF-G coupled with active GTP binds with the A-site peptidyl-tRNA. The

    hydrolysis of GTP by EF-G causes translocation (10). A ratchet-like movement of the

    smaller 30S subunit is induced. The deacylatedtRNA moves into a hybrid P-E-site, and

    the peptidyltRNA is believed to be located between the A- and P-sites in a similar hybridposition. The 30S ribosome then ratchets back into place, moving the two tRNAs along

    into their proper positions simultaneously (1). The process of elongation continues until a

    stop codon is encountered in the A-site (11).

    V. Termination

    In termination, once the ribosome reads a stop codon on the mRNA, the last

    peptydil-tRNA is induced to release the polypeptide through the 50S subunit tunnel.

    These codons are UAA, UAG, and UGA, none of which correspond to a tRNA. The

    ribosome will then disassociate into its individual subunits. (1, 4, 13).

    In prokaryotes, the stop codons UAA and UAG mentioned above are recognized

    by release factor 1 (RF-1). UAA and UGA are recognized by RF-2. These two factors

    bind in the A-site and induce the hydrolysisof the ester bond between the P-site tRNA

    and the nascent polypeptide. The protein immediately is released and afterwards folds

    into its proper tertiary level. RF3 (a GTPase) interacts with RF1 and RF2 and hydrolyzes

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    GTP to GDP as the energy for the hydrolysis of the ester bond. The energy released is

    also used to move the mRNA along one codon, moving the last discharged tRNA into the

    E-site, where it then leaves the ribosome. (10, 11)

    The Experiment(16)

    The goal in doing this experiment was to explore and observe protein synthesis in

    action. With the help of the BU medical staff and CityLabs supplies, an experiment

    involving the synthesis of a protein called GFP was conducted. In it, a plasmid called

    the pGLO plasmid would be inserted into the prokaryoteE

    . coli (thus why the previousresearch section concerned almost exclusively prokaryotic protein synthesis). This

    plasmid would contain a sequence for GFP and an ampicillin resistance gene (to ensure

    growth occurred). The GFP would be governed by an arabinose operon, which would

    only work when the E. coli was in the presence of arabinose. The E. coli would be heat

    shocked such that it would absorb the plasmid. This is described in steps 1 21 of

    Transformation.

    Six testplates containing plasmid-positive and plasmid-negative E. coli would be

    created. Two would contain arabinose (ARA), LB broth (to help the E. coli recover from

    the heat shocking undergone to insert the plasmid), and ampicillin. One of these two

    cultures would not have the plasmid (it would be plasmid-negative). Another two plates

    would have arabinose and LB broth but no ampicillin. One would be plasmid-positive,

    and one would be plasmid negative. A final pair of plates would contain no arabinose, but

    LB broth and ampicillin. One would contain plasmid-negative E. coli, and one would

    contain plasmid-positive E. coli.

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    As for predictions, the following should hold true. The ARA/LB/Amp plasmid-

    positive plate should contain colonies and produce GFP because it contains the plasmid,

    and contains ARA, thus, has ampicillin resistance and can produce GFP governed by the

    arabinose operon because arabinose is present. However, as only about 5% of the E. coli

    have been successfully transformed, only those 5% will live because they have ampicillin

    resistance; thus, there will be colonies, not a lawn, because many will die. The

    ARA/LB/Amp plasmid-negative plate should have no growth because without the

    plasmid, the E. coli will die from ampicillin poisoning because they do not have the

    proper gene to use to protect themselves.The LB/ARA plasmid-positive plate as well as the LB/ARA plasmid-negative

    plate should both have a lawn ofE. coli, because there is no ampicillin to inhibit their

    growth. GFP should be visible.

    On the LB/Amp plasmid positive plate there should be growth similar to that on

    the first plate mentioned above (ARA/LB/Amp plasmid+) because of the presence of

    ampicillin and the ampicillin immunity gene. GFP should not be produced because of the

    lack of arabinose, necessary for the arabinose operon governing the GFP gene to allow

    the GFP gene to be transcribed and then translated into protein. In the LB/Amp plasmid

    negative plate, there should be no growth because the E. coli would lack the ampicillin

    resistance gene, and they were placed in ampicillin, inducing death.

    Figure 2: Overview of initiation. a) Initiation factor IF3 disassociates 70S ribosome into its two

    subunits. b) IF3 also assists in the positioning of the mRNA. Initiation factor IF2 catalyzes the

    binding of the fmet-tRNA at the P-site. c) IF2 bind with the tRNA, which then binds with the30S subunit, forming the initiation complex. d) 50S and 30S subunits come together to form

    the 70S subunit. e)IF2 functions in further fitting the subunits comfortably together with the

    tRNA connected by the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP. F) elongation and termination, resulting in

    the disbanding of the 70S ribosome, and the recycling of subunits and tRNA. (1)Figure 1: The Shine-Delgarno sequence binding with the 16S rRNA. (9)

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    Figure 3: General orientation and layout of the ribosome at the time of elongation (2)

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    Figure 4: Overview of elongation through the cycling of the PRE and POST stages (10)

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    List of Materials (16, 17)

    - pGLO plasmid on ice, comprised ofo GFP geneo Ampicillin resistance gene

    - Arabinose- Agar plates- Sterile loops- Incubator-

    1.5mL test tubes- Foam racks- P200 pipette- P20 pipette- Sterile tips- Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) transformation solution- Container of ice- Starter plate of E. coli- Hot water bath or incubator- LB broth- trysEDTA (TE) buffer solution- driedlysozyme powder- centrifuge- 1.5 mL centrifuge tubes (what about the ones for transformation?

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    Procedure & Methods (16, 17)

    Phase I: Transformation

    1. Set the water bath or incubator to 42C.2. Label one closed 1.5mL test tube (+)plasmid and one (-)plasmid.3. Label both tubes with your initials.4. Place the tubes in the foam rack5. Use a p200 micro pipette to transfer 200L of the Calcium Chloride (CaCl2)

    transformation solution into each 1.5mL test tube.

    6.

    Place the tubes in the foam tube rack on ice.7. Use a sterile loop to collect some E. coli bacteria from the starter plate one

    swab.

    8. Immerse the swab with E. coli into the CaCl2 transformation solution in the+plasmid test tube, towards the bottom.

    9. Rotate the loop vigorously to dislodge the bacteria in the transformation solution.10.Use a p200 micropipette to mix the solution.11.Ensure there are no floating chunks12.Use a new sterile loop and take one swab of the E. coli bacteria from the starter

    plate.

    13.Immerse the swab ofE. coli into the CaCl2 transformation solution in the(-)plasmid test tube towards the bottom.

    14.Place the (-)plasmid test tube on the ice.15.Retrieve the pGLO test tube from the ice bucket.16.Retrieve the (+)plasmid test tube from the ice.

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    17.Use a p20 micropipette to extract 10L of pGLO plasmid from the pGLO testtube.

    18.Add the 10L of pGLO plasmid to the (+)plasmid test tube19.Return the (+)plasmid to the ice.20.Return the pGLO test tube to the ice bucket21.Allow the (+)plasmid and (-)plasmid test tubes to cool on the ice for 10-15

    minutes.

    22.While the tubes are cooling on the ice, label the six agar plates on the bottom asfollows for each individual plate (a f):

    a. (+)plasmid; LB; Amp; ARA;b. (+)plasmid; LB; ARA;c. (+)plasmid: LB; Amp;d. (-)plasmid; LB; Amp; ARA;e. (-)plasmid; LB; ARA;f. (-)plasmid; LB; Amp;

    23.Write your initials and the date on the bottom edge of each plate.24.Bring the ice bucket with the (+)plasmid and (-)plasmid to the water bath or

    incubator

    25.After the tubes have been on ice for 15 minutes, transfer both tubes to the waterbath or incubator while the tubes are in the foam rack, keeping them afloat (if in

    the water bath) or standing up (in the incubator).

    26.Ensure to push the tubes all the way down in the rack so the bottoms of the tubesmake contact with the warm water (if using a water bath).

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    27.Allow them to sit in the water bath or incubator for exactly 50 seconds.28.After the 50 second incubation, transfer both test tubes in the foam rack back onto

    the ice.

    29.Allow them to cool on the ice for 2 minutes.30.During the 2 minutes of cooling, set the incubator or water bath to 37C.31.After 2 minutes, remove the tubes from the ice.32.Remove the (+)plasmid tube from the foam rack.33.Open the (+)plasmid tube.34.

    Use a p200 with a sterile tip to add 200L of LB broth to the (+)plasmid tube.

    35.Eject the sterile tip into the contaminated bin.36.Close the (+)plasmid tube.37.Place the (+)plasmid tube back on the foam rack.38.Remove the (-)plasmid tube from the foam rack.39.Open the (-)plasmid tube.40.Use a p200 with a sterile tip to add 200L of LB broth to the (-)plasmid tube.41.Eject the sterile tip into the contaminated bin.42.Close the (-)plasmid tube.43.Place the (-)plasmid tube back on the foam rack.44.Place the foam rack in the water bath or incubator.45.Allow the tubes to heat for 10 minutes.46.After 10 minutes, mix the contents of each tube by tapping your finger against the

    side of the test tube.

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    47.Use a p200 micropipette with a sterile tip to add 100L of bacteria from the(+)plasmid tube to each plate labeled (+)plasmid.

    48.Dispose of the sterile tip.49.Use a p200 micropipette with a new sterile tip to add 100L of bacteria from the

    (-)plasmid tube to each plate labeled (-)plasmid.

    50.Dispose of the sterile tip.51.Use a sterile loop to spread the bacterial suspensions placed on the agar plates

    evenly around the surface of the agar by gently dragging the flat surface of the

    new loop back and forth across the plates surface.52.Ensure not to mark up the agar too much; do not press on the agar to much,

    making it appear scarred.

    53.Place the plates upside down in an incubator at 37C for 24 hours or not in anincubator at room temperature for 2-3 days.

    Phase II: Cell Lysis and GFPExtraction

    1. Add 250L of TE buffer solution to a 1.5mL microcentrifuge tube.2. Label this tube AC Lysozyme.3. Transfer 3 swabs of bacteria with a sterile loop from the agar plate containing

    fluorescent E. coli into this tube.

    4. Resuspend the bacteria by putting the tube in the vortex machine, or by repeatedlyextracting solution with a micropipette and ejecting the solution back into the

    tube.

    5. Uncap the AC Lysozyme tube.

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    6. Add 55L of lysozyme to the AC Lysozyme tube.7. Recap the AC Lysozyme tube.8. Mix the contents of the AC Lysozyme tube by flicking the tube with the index

    finger.

    9. Place the sample on dry ice for 5 minutes.10.Thaw the sample by placing the tube in the palm of the hand. Body heat is enough

    to thaw the sample.

    11.After the sampleis thawed, place the sample opposite a sample of equalweight/contents in a centrifuge.

    12.Centrifuge the two samples for 2 minutes at 2000RPMs.

    Observations & Results

    At the lab, a specimen of GFP producing E. coli had already been produced over

    the weekend. It had been sitting for approximately two days at room temperature. When a

    UV light was shined on the E. coli, it appeared green, thus indicating that GFP had

    indeed been produced. The petri dish clearly showed signs of growth. The green,

    however, was hard to see, a light shade of green.

    Once the E. coli cells had been lysed and the GFP isolated in a crude extraction,

    the GFP could clearly be seen. Under UV light, the bottom of the test tube appeared

    extremely green. GFP had been created and isolated.

    See Figures 21 22 (p. 37 38) for evidence of the GFP isolated.

    At home, there was growth on certain plates. However, very little to no GFP

    could easily be seen. In the plate with a plasmid, LB broth, ampicillin, and arabinose (+,

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    LB, AMP, ARA) extreme growth was observed. There was very little food left. The small

    splash of food (whitish) can readily be seen from the images. No GFP or green was seen

    under UV light. In the corresponding plate without a plasmid, with LB broth, ampicillin,

    and arabinose (-, LB, AMP, ARA), no growth was detected. No GFP was detected. In the

    plate with a plasmid, LB broth, ampicillin, but no arabinose, growth was detected. There

    was no GFP or green to be found though. In the corresponding plasmid-negative plate

    with LB broth and ampicillin, neither growth nor green/GFP was detected. In the plate

    with a plasmid, LB broth, arabinose, but no ampicillin, growth was detected but no green

    or GFP. In the corresponding plasmid-negative plate with LB broth, arabinose, but noampicillin, Growth was detected, but without green/GFP.

    It is difficult to discern growth from the pictures taken, but in person, growth was

    clearly visible on all those stated above to have growth, and none visible on those stated

    above to be growth-less.

    There was a pungent smell in the air after opening the bag containing the plates of

    E. coli.

    See Figure 5 (p. 21) for the appearance of the plates before the E. coli had been

    sitting for several days. See Figures 6 14(p. 22-30) for pictures of the plates after the E.

    coli were allowed to grow, and Figures 15 20 (p. 31 36) for images of the plates under

    UV light.

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    Conclusion & Analysis

    At the lab, the experiment was a success. Working from pre-grown E. coli

    containing the GFP plasmid, which had already produced GFP, the extraction and

    isolation of that GFP was a success. The most probable explanation for why the GFP in

    the petri dish appeared a lighter green color than that of the concentrate found in the test

    tube is that the cell membrane and cell wall obstruct the view of the innards of the E. coli,

    thus, the GFP is not as easily seen.

    At home, the primary issue was that there was little to no GFP observed. This

    may have been because theE

    . coli on the plates were allowed to grow for too long; fivedays afterwards, the plates were checked on. This would explain the extreme growth in

    the first plate and lack of agar (they were given ample time to consume all the food, and

    then die because of starvation). None of the plates experienced GFP glowing under UV

    radiation (see figures 15 19), contrary to the results predicted.

    References

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    2. Davidson MW, Florida State University. 2005. Ribosomes. [online]http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/ribosomes/ribosomes.html. (Last accessed April 18,2011).

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    4. St. Edwards University. 1995. Ribosomes. [online]http://www.cs.stedwards.edu/chem/Chemistry/CHEM43/CHEM43/Ribosomes/Ribosome.HTML. (Last accessed April 18, 2011).

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