文摘
It has been hypothesized that the ribosome gains additional fidelity during protein translation by probing structural differences in tRNA species. We measure the translocation kinetics of different tRNA species through ~3 nm diameter synthetic nanopores. Each tRNA species varies in the time scale with which it is deformed from equilibrium, as in the translocation step of protein translation. Using machine-learning algorithms, we can differentiate among five tRNA species, analyze the ratios of tRNA binary mixtures, and distinguish tRNA isoacceptors.