Cryo-EM structure of the inactive ribosome complex accumulated in chick embryo cells in cold-stress conditions

Here, we present the high-resolution structure of the Gallus gallus 80S ribosome obtained from cold-treated chicken embryos. The translationally inactive ribosome complex contains elongation factor eEF2 with GDP, SERPINE1 mRNA binding protein 1 (SERBP1) and deacylated tRNA in the P/E position, showing common features with complexes already described in mammals. Modeling of most expansion segments of G. gallus 28S ribosomal RNA allowed us to identify specific features in their structural organization and to describe areas where a marked difference between mammalian and avian ribosomes could shed light on the evolution of the expansion segments. This study provides the first structure of an avian ribosome, establishing a model for future structural and functional studies on the translational machinery in Aves.