Fig. 8. Dependence of translation rates on base-pair stability (ΔG_bp) of encountered mRNA segments.

Various rates and probabilities in the kinetic scheme are plotted in logarithmic scale as a function of ΔG_bp. Three kinetic regimes can be distinguished: at low values of ΔG_bp, translocation is not rate-limiting, and reverse head rotation occurs mostly by sliding; At intermediate ΔG_bp, reverse head rotation becomes rate-limiting as the slow stick-slip route predominates. At yet higher ΔG_bp, even forward head rotation becomes hindered.