Final answer:
Escherichia coli uses three release factors, RF1, RF2, and RF3, to recognize termination codons (UAA, UAG, UGA) and terminate protein synthesis by releasing the newly synthesized protein and dissociating the ribosomal subunits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Escherichia coli has three release factors that bind to certain termination codons: RF1, RF2, and RF3. Once a termination codon (UAA, UAG, or UGA) occupies the ribosomal A-site, these release factors contribute to the termination of protein synthesis. They facilitate (1) the hydrolysis of the terminal peptidyl tRNA, (2) release of the free polypeptide and the last tRNA from the P site; and (3) the dissociation of the 70S ribosome complex into its 30S and 50S subunits. This process effectively ends the protein synthesis by detaching the newly made protein from the ribosome and allowing the ribosomal subunits to be used in new translation processes.