The interaction between the signal-recognition particle (SRP) and its receptor (SR) is catalyzed by the RNA component of SRP, but the mechanism is not clear. Now, kinetics and NMR studies reveal an inhibitory role of the N-terminal helices of both proteins, suggesting that the RNA facilitates formation of the SRP–SR complex by promoting conformational changes of these helices.
- Saskia B Neher
- Niels Bradshaw
- Peter Walter