The process of protein synthesis is terminated by one of the three stop codons which are recognized by classⅠ polypeptide release factors. Subsequently, it could promote the hydrolysis of the ester bond of peptidy-tRNA, resulting in release of the nascent polypeptide. Recent results from cryoelectron microscopy, crystallography, NMR, molecular dynamic and biochemical experiments have shed considerable light on the function and structure of the classⅠ release factors. The progress in these aspects were summarized.