Tail-extension following the termination codon is critical for release of the nascent chain from membrane-bound ribosomes in a reticulocyte lysate cell-free system

► Chain release was extremely slow when mRNA ended with only the termination codon. ► Tail extension after the termination codon enhanced the release of the nascent chain. ► Release reached plateau levels with tail extension up to 10 bases. ► This requirement was observed with all termination codons: TAA, TGA and TAG.