rufK

rufK is a gene found in the bacterium Escherichia coli. This gene encodes a protein that is part of the ribosomal recycling machinery. Specifically, rufK is involved in the dissociation of translation termination complexes, which are formed when a ribosome encounters a stop codon on messenger RNA. This process is crucial for releasing the newly synthesized polypeptide chain and for recycling the ribosome to initiate new rounds of protein synthesis. Without efficient ribosomal recycling, cellular protein production would be significantly hindered. The rufK protein works in conjunction with other factors, such as the RrfA, RrfB, and RrfC proteins, to ensure the proper disassembly of these termination complexes. Studies have shown that mutations in the rufK gene can lead to reduced growth rates in E. coli, highlighting its essential role in cellular function. The precise mechanism by which rufK contributes to ribosomal recycling is an area of ongoing research, but it is understood to play a key role in the efficient turnover of the translational machinery.