5S rRNA: Structure and Function from Head to Toe

5S rRNA is uniquely positioned so as to link together all of the functional centers of the ribosome. Previous studies have supported the hypothesis that 5S rRNA acts as a physical transducer of information, facilitating communication between the different functional centers and coordinating of the multiple events catalyzed by the ribosome. Here, we present a synthesis of both structural and genetic information to construct a more detailed picture of how 5S rRNA may act to transmit and coordinate all of the functional centers of the ribosome.