InterPro domain: IPR005141

This domain is found in the release factor eRF1 which terminates protein biosynthesis by recognizing stop codons at the A site of the ribosome and stimulating peptidyl-tRNA bond hydrolysis at the peptidyl transferase centre. The crystal structure of human eRF1 is known [ 1 ]. The overall shape and dimensions of eRF1 resemble a tRNA molecule with domains 1, 2, and 3 of eRF1 corresponding to the anticodon loop, aminoacyl acceptor stem, and T stem of a tRNA molecule, respectively. The position of the essential GGQ motif at an exposed tip of domain 2 suggests that the Gln residue coordinates a water molecule to mediate the hydrolytic activity at the peptidyl transferase centre. A conserved groove on domain 1, 80 A from the GGQ motif, is proposed to form the codon recognition site [ 2 ].

This domain is also found in other proteins which may also be involved in translation termination

1. The crystal structure of human eukaryotic release factor eRF1--mechanism of stop codon recognition and peptidyl-tRNA hydrolysis. Cell 100, 311-21