Part of the 23S RNA located in the 11S RNA fragment is a constituent of the ribosomal peptidyltransferase centre

Upon irradiation, 3-[4-benzoylphenyl]propionyl-PhetRNA bound to the P-site of poly(U)-primed ribosomes is exclusively cross-linked to 23S RNA. It is shown that the photoreaction only occurs with pyrimidine nucleotides. The site of the cross-link is located within an 11S RNA fragment, which comprises the 1100 nucleotides at the 3′-end of 23S RNA. The cross-linked Phe tRNA derivative is still functionally active in peptide bond formation. The site labelled on the 11S fragment is therefore an integral part of the peptidyltransferase centre.