mitochondrial ribosome

mitochondrial ribosome

An intracellular structure responsible for the biosynthesis of protein components that are crucial to the generation of ATP in eukaryotic cells. Mitochondrial ribosomes resemble prokaryotic ribosomes, rather than the cytoplasmic ribosomes of the cells containing the mitochondria. The mitochondrial ribosome possesses intersubunit bridges composed largely of proteins; it has a gatelike structure at its mRNA entrance, and may be involved in recruiting unique mitochondrial mRNAs. It also has a polypeptide exit tunnel that allows access to the solvent before the exit site, suggesting a unique nascent-polypeptide exit mechanism.