Neutron scattering measurements of separation and shape of proteins in 30S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli: S2-S5, S5-S8, S3-S7

Neutron scattering measurements done on E. coli 30S ribosomal subunit specimens in which specific pairs of proteins were deuterated have enabled us to estimate the distances between the labeled proteins. The distances between centers of gravity of three protein pairs have been determined: S2-S5 (105 A), S3-S7 (115 A), and S5-S8 (35 A). A method for extracting shape information about these proteins from the neutron scattering profiles is demonstrated. The method shows that S5 and S8 are compact and S2 is extended.