🇺🇸▼
A formal correction notice has been issued for an important scientific study. The paper is titled "Cotranslational assembly of protein complexes in eukaryotes revealed by ribosome profiling." It was originally published in the journal Nature on August 29, 2018. This correction fixes a specific technical error found in two extended data figures. These figures were labeled as Figure 4d and Figure 2a. The mistake happened during the preparation of these visual representations of the data. The correction ensures that the scientific record remains precise and transparent. This action shows the high standards kept by the global research community.
In the version of the paper first published, Extended Data Figure 4d was accidentally shown as a partial duplicate of Extended Data Figure 2a. Also, the specific genetic strains shown in these two figures were partially mislabeled. This confusion began during the preparation phase when researchers were assembling the final visuals for publication. The experimental tests for the multiple strains were done simultaneously on the same petri dish. This meant they shared a single control sample for comparison. Because of this, the resulting data patterns showed a very high degree of similarity. This similarity caused the unintended duplication of images and confusion about the labels. The corrected versions of these two figures have now been released. They are combined into a single, comprehensive figure labeled as Figure 1.
It is crucial to emphasize that the authors state the corrections do not affect the central results. The interpretation of the data and the ultimate conclusions of the research remain valid. The study's primary findings used a technique called ribosome profiling. This technique showed that many protein complexes begin to assemble during the process of protein synthesis. This process is known as translation. It happens in eukaryotic cells. The primary findings remain entirely intact. The error was confined strictly to the visual presentation of data from specific experimental assays. It did not involve the underlying raw data. It also did not involve the statistical analyses that support the paper's major claims. This distinction is vital because it separates a visual clerical error from a fundamental scientific flaw. The core discovery stands firm. Components of protein complexes often interact and begin their assembly even as one of the partner proteins is being synthesized by the ribosome.