Single-molecule analysis of functions of biomolecular machines that synthesize or assist folding of proteins.

用光镊法测定单个核糖体和核糖核酸的裂解力。我们发现，在起始过程中，IF2有助于将70年代的核糖体锁定在起始密码子上，从而维持阅读框架。接下来，我们研究了伴侣反应周期。人们普遍认为，不对称的GroEL-Groes络合物(称为弹状络合物)是GroEL-Groes络合物的唯一形式，在反应过程中不会形成对称的GroEL-(Groes)_2络合物(称为足球状络合物)。然而，我们发现，在足够数量的变性蛋白存在的情况下，形成了足球状的复合体。

Rapture force of single ribosome and mRNA was measured by optical tweezers. We found that IF2 helped to lock the 70S ribosome over the start codon during initiation, thus maintaining reading frame. Next, we studied chaperonin reaction cycle. It is widely believed that an asymmetric GroEL-GroES complex(termed a bullet-shaped complex) is the only form of the GroEL-GroES complex, and a symmetric GroEL-(GroES)_2 complex(termed a football-shaped complex) is not formed during the reaction cycle. However, we found that football-shaped complex was formed in the presence of sufficient amount of denatured proteins.