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B R Reid

Publications and source records attributed to B R Reid.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

NMR studies of ion binding to Escherichia coli tRNAPhe.

The effects of magnesium, spermine, and temperature on the conformation of Escherichia coli tRNAPhe have been examined by proton and phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In the low-field proton NMR spectra we have characterized two slowly interconverting conformations of this tRNA at low magnesium ion concentrations. The relative proportion of the conformers is ion dependent but not ion specific. Magnesium affects protons in all the stems of tRNA while spermine effects are localized near the s4U-8-A-14 and G-15-C-48 tertiary bonds. The effects seen in the proton NMR spectra are compared and correlated with those observed in the phosphorus spectra to give assignments of some of the resolved signals from the phosphate groups. The phosphorus spectra are compared with those of yeast tRNAPhe [Gorenstein, D. G., Goldfield, E. M., Chen, R., Kovar, K., & Luxon, B. A. (1981) Biochemistry 20, 2141; Salemink, P. J. M., Reijerse, E. J., Mollevanger, L., & Hilbers, C. W. (1981) Eur. J. Biochem. 115, 635], and the ion effects are discussed with reference to the magnesium and spermine sites found in the crystal structures of yeast tRNAPhe [Holbrook, S. R., Sussman, J. L., Warrant, R. W., Church, G. M., & Kim, S.-H. (1977) Nucleic Acids Res. 4, 2811; Quigley, G. J., Teeter, M. M., & Rich, A. (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75, 64; Jack, A., Ladner, J. E., Rhodes, D., Brown, R. S., & Klug, A. (1977) J. Mol. Biol. 111, 315].

Anticodon↗

Duplex-hairpin transitions in DNA: NMR studies on CGCGTATACGCG.

Two dimensional NMR methods have been used to assign proton resonances in the high salt (greater than or equal to 100mM Na+), low temperature duplex form of the self-complementary DNA dodecamer d(CGCGTATACGCG). At low salt (less than or equal to 10mM Na+) and higher temperature marked changes in the two-dimensional spectrum, and in the one-dimensional spectrum reported by others, indicate that the molecule converts to an alternate conformation. Using saturation transfer methods, many of the resonances of this new conformation have been assigned, and the kinetics of the interconversion of the two forms has been studied. The linewidth, correlation time, and concentration dependence of the formation of this alternate conformation support the idea that it is a unimolecular hairpin. Observation of chemical shifts and NOEs in the hairpin conformation allow some preliminary structural characterization. Examination of the energetics of the interconversion suggests that the exchange between forms does not proceed through a single stranded intermediate, but rather through another pathway, probably involving a cruciform structure.

DNA↗

Sequence-specific recognition of DNA. Nuclear magnetic resonance assignments and structural comparison of wild-type and mutant lambda OR3 operator DNA.

The resonances of all the base protons and most of the sugar protons in both strands of the 17 base-pair OR3 operator of the phage lambda, and of the vC3 single base-pair mutant, have been assigned using two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance methods. The chemical shift and nuclear Overhauser effect data for these two DNA sequences reveal no structural perturbation at sites distal to the mutation, neither are there significant changes in structure immediately surrounding the altered base-pair in the mutant sequence. These results are consistent with the model proposed by Ohlendorf et al. (1982), based on crystallographic data on the cro protein, for the OR3-cro protein interaction. The data from these solution studies are examined and discussed in the light of this model. This work demonstrates that nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts and nuclear Overhauser effect intensities provide a method for comparing the solution structures of DNA molecules. From the resolution available in the spectra of the 17 base-pair operators studied, it is clear that DNA duplexes of up to 30 or more base-pairs can be studied using phase-sensitive methods.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Effect of Mg2+ on solution conformation of two different transfer ribonucleic acids.

We have investigated the effect of Mg2+ on the solution conformation of two different tRNAs by studying the decay of the fluorescence polarization anisotropy of intercalated ethidium on a nanosecond time scale. In the presence of endogenous Mg2+, yeast tRNAPhe and Escherichia coli tRNAVal1 exhibit similar behavior; i.e., the fluorescence from the intercalated ethidium decays biexponentially with lifetimes of approximately 25 and approximately 5 ns, and the fluorescence polarization anisotropy decays with a lifetime of approximately 25 ns. However, once Mg2+ is removed from the two tRNAs, their behavior is no longer similar. In the case of yeast tRNAPhe, it appears that titrating with Mg2+ restores the tRNA to the condition that it was in prior to the Mg2+ removal. This is not so for E. coli tRNAVal1, in which case titrating with Mg2+ results in a two-component anisotropy decay with lifetimes of approximately 25 and approximately 6 ns. Rudimentary calculations indicate that the 6-ns component does not result simply from a change in conformation of the tRNA. However, torsional motions in the tRNA facilitated by a torsion "joint" with a rigidity approximately 1/40 that of intact linear phi 29 DNA would yield a decay component on this time scale with about the right amplitude. We are thus left with the possibility that (after initially removing magnesium) titrating tRNAVal1 with Mg2+ leads to increased internal flexibility and a significant amplitude of a deformational relaxation mode. At any rate, there is no question that after removal of Mg2+ tRNAPhe and tRNAVal1 display quite different solution conformation behavior. These findings are in qualitative agreement with recent 500-MHz 1H NMR results from solutions of these two tRNAs.

Cations, Divalent↗

Sequence-specific recognition of DNA: NMR studies of the imino protons of a synthetic RNA polymerase promoter.

We have synthesized both strands of a DNA duplex containing the consensus Pribnow promoter sequence TATAATG , flanked by GC base pairs to stabilize the ends of the helix. The stability of this duplex has been studied by using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. The imino protons have been assigned by using the sequential nuclear Overhauser effect approach. Exchange rates have been monitored by using selective inversion recovery measurements. The helix is relatively unstable in the center of the AT-rich region even when surrounded by GC base pairs, and there is considerable asymmetry in the melting of the helix.

Base Sequence↗

Sequence-specific recognition of DNA: assignment of nonexchangeable proton resonances in the consensus Pribnow promoter DNA sequence by two-dimensional NMR.

The resonances of most of the nonexchangeable protons of both + and - strands of the consensus Pribnow dodecamer d( CGTTATAATGCG ) have been assigned by two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance methods. Application of the two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect ( NOESY ) sequential connectivity method, combined with two-dimensional autocorrelated ( COSY ) spectra to reveal scalar-coupled protons, results in assignment of virtually all of the base and sugar protons, except the sugar C5 protons which are inadequately resolved. Analysis of the nuclear Overhauser data indicates that the helix assumes a fairly uniform B form conformation.

Base Sequence↗

Relative affinities of all Escherichia coli aminoacyl-tRNAs for elongation factor Tu-GTP.

The relative affinities of all Escherichia coli amino-acyl-tRNAs for E. coli elongation factor (EF) Tu-GTP have been measured by two independent applications of the competition form of the ribonuclease resistance assay. The set of aminoacyl-tRNAs includes at least one tRNA for each of the 20 amino acids as well as purified isoacceptor tRNA species for arginine, glycine, leucine, lysine, and tyrosine. In the first competition study, [3H]Phe-tRNA was used as the competing aminoacyl-tRNA against [14C]aminoacyl-tRNA in the set of all tRNAs; in the second study, [3H]Leu-tRNALeu4 was used as the competing aminoacyl-tRNA. The relative order of aminoacyl-tRNA affinities for EF-Tu-GTP was the same in each study. The results indicate that the affinity of EF-Tu-GTP at 4 degrees C, pH 7.4, is strongest for Gln-tRNA and weakest for Val-tRNA. Both Gly-tRNA and Pro-tRNA bind very strongly to EF-Tu-GTP relative to other aminoacyl-tRNAs. Various models of ternary complex interactions are discussed in light of the new data. Although the properties of the amino acid substituent are primarily responsible for the differences in relative affinities among the noninitiator aminoacyl-tRNAs, the results for the four isoacceptor species of Leu-tRNALeu indicate that the secondary structural features of the tRNA are also influential.

Escherichia coli↗

Assignment of the non-exchangeable proton resonances of d(C-G-C-G-A-A-T-T-C-G-C-G) using two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance methods.

A general method of assigning the non-exchangeable protons in the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of small DNA molecules has been developed based upon two-dimensional autocorrelated (COSY) and nuclear Overhauser (NOESY) spectra in 2H2O solutions. Groups of protons in specific sugars or bases are identified by their scalar couplings (COSY), then connected spatially in a sequential fashion using the Overhauser effect (NOESY). The method appears to be generally applicable to moderate-sized DNA duplexes with structures close to B DNA. The self-complementary DNA sequence d(C-G-C-G-A-A-T-T-C-G-C-G) has been synthesized by the solid-phase phosphite triester technique and studied by this method. Analysis of the COSY spectrum and the NOESY spectrum leads to the unambiguous assignment of all protons in the molecule except the poorly resolved H5' and H5" resonances. The observed NOEs indicate qualitatively that, in solution, the d(C-G-C-G-A-A-T-T-C-G-C-G) helix is right-handed and close to the B DNA form with a structure similar to that determined by crystallography.

Base Sequence↗

Sequence-specific recognition of deoxyribonucleic acid. Chemical synthesis and nuclear magnetic resonance assignment of the imino protons of lambda OR3 operator deoxyribonucleic acid.

Using solid-phase phosphite triester methods, we have synthesized both strands of the phage lambda OR3 DNA sequence, reannealed them, and studied the native operator duplex by high-resolution NMR at 500 MHz. At 7 degrees C the imino protons of the two terminal base pairs at each end have disappeared from the spectrum by exchange broadening. The 13 detectable imino resonances have been assigned to their respective base pairs in the duplex by using sequential nearest-neighbor NOE connectivity methods described previously. In cases where two imino protons overlap in the spectrum, spin diffusion was used to drive the cross-saturation further afield in order to produce second-order next-nearest-neighbor effects. The results show that the imino connectivity method can be used to unambiguously assign the imino proton spectrum of operator DNAs containing one to two full turns of the helix.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies on structure and breathing dynamics of transfer RNA.

The hydrogen-bonded ring NH protons of the complementary base pairs in Escherichia coli isoleucine tRNA have been studied by 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance. These protons generate a set of about 30 well-resolved resonances in the -10p.p.m. to-15 p.p.m. region of the spectrum and can be observed in H2O solutions by Fourier transform NMR using the Redfield 214 observation pulse. Each of these low field protons has been assigned to its respective base pair in the tRNA by sequential nuclear Overhauser effect connectivity to its nearest neighbours. The helix-coil opening rates for several individual base pairs have been determined by monitoring the solvent-exchange contribution to the inversion recovery rate or the saturation recovery rate of the assigned ring NH peaks. Contrary to current theory, the two most rapidly opening base pairs in the molecule are located not at the helix termini but in the interior of helices.

Base Composition↗

Simplified in vitro system for study of eukaryotic mRNA translation by measuring di- and tripeptide formation.

An in vitro system for measurement of rabbit globin mRNA translation has been developed based on the formation of the NH2-terminal dipeptide, fMet-Val. The basic components include a partially purified initiation factor preparation from rabbit reticulocytes supplemented with eukaryotic initiation factor 4A, purified and formylated yeast Met-tRNAi, and rabbit liver or Escherichia coli Val-tRNA1Val. Picomole quantities of fMet-Val are synthesized, dependent on mRNA, and the dipeptide is readily assayed by a simple extraction procedure. In the presence of Leu-tRNA or His-tRNA, the tripeptides fMet-Val-Leu and fMet-Val-His are synthesized, corresponding to the NH2-terminal sequence of alpha- and beta-globin, respectively. Therefore, tripeptide synthesis provides a simple means to distinguish between the expression of the alpha- and beta-globin mRNA species.

Animals↗

Nuclear Overhauser assignment of the imino protons of the acceptor helix and the ribothymidine helix in the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of Escherichia coli isoleucine transfer ribonucleic acid: evidence for costacked helices in solution.

In a previous study we showed that, in the low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of Escherichia coli tRNAVal1, the hydrogen-bonded imino protons of the four Watson-Crick base pairs in the dihydrouridine helix could be assigned on the basis of their proximity to the imino proton of s4U8 by means of sequential Nuclear Overhauser (NOE) connectivity (Hare & Reid, 1982). In the present paper we have used the nearest-neighbor NOE technique to assign all the imino proton resonances of the acceptor helix and the ribothymidine helix of E. coli tRNAIle1. As reference points we used the GU-type base pairs located at positions 5 and 49 in this molecule which are readily identifiable in the NMR spectrum by virtue of containing two imino protons in the same base pair. From UG5 the imino protons of base pairs 4,3,2,1 and 6,7 could be assigned by through-space NOE connectivity. Similarly the imino protons of 50,51,52,53 were assigned by their spatial relationship to G psi 49. NOE connectivity also revealed a base pair stacked on the external side of GC53 which, by analogy with the crystal structure of yeast phenylalanine tRNA, is presumed to be the tertiary pair T54-A58. This was confirmed by NOE connectivity from the thymine methyl resonance. In addition to assigning 17 of the imino resonances in the low-field NMR spectrum of isoleucine tRNA, these NOE studies show that the acceptor helix and the ribothymidine helix are stacked on each other in solution in that base pairs 7 and 49 are directly connected in space.

Escherichia coli↗

Direct assignment of the dihydrouridine-helix imino proton resonances in transfer ribonucleic acid nuclear magnetic resonance spectra by means of the nuclear Overhauser effect.

The NMR resonances from the hydrogen-bonded ring NH protons in the dihydrouridine stem of Escherichia colt tRNA1Val have been assigned by experiments involving the nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) between adjacent base pairs. Irradiation of the 8-14 tertiary resonance produced a NOE to base pair 13. Irradiation of the CG13 ring NH produced NOEs to base pairs 12 and 14. Similarly, base pair 12 was shown to be dipolar coupled to 11 and 13, and base pair 11 was found to be coupled to 10 and 12. These sequential connectivities led to the assignment of CG13 at -13.05 ppm, UA12 at -13.84 ppm, CG11 at -12.23 ppm, and GC10 at -12.60 ppm. The results are compared with previous, less direct assignments for these four base pairs and with the expected proton positions from the crystal structure coordinates for this helix.

Escherichia coli↗

Use of different tRNASer isoacceptor species in vitro to discriminate between the expression of plasmid genes.

A simplified translation system coupled to DNA transcription that involves assaying the synthesis of the first dipeptide of a gene product has been described recently [Robakis, N., Meza-Basso, L., Brot, N. & Weissbach, H. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78, 4261--4264]. Using this dipeptide system, we have investigated the expression of genes carried on plasmids coding for beta-lactamase, ribosomal protein L12, and the chloroplast large subunit (LS) of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase (RbuBPCase). Although all three nascent gene products begin with the sequence fMet-Ser, the formation of fMet-Ser can be used to distinguish between the synthesis of beta-lactamase and either L12 or the LS of RbuBPCase by using different serine isoacceptor tRNA species. In beta-lactamase, the serine codon is AGU, which utilizes the serine isoacceptor species tRNASer3; in L12 and the LS of RbuBPCase, the serine codewords are UCU and UCA, respectively, both of which are recognized by the serine isoacceptor species tRNASer1. By using either pure tRNASer1 or pure tRNASer3, the expression of each gene can be quantitated. In this system, guanosine-5'-diphosphate-3'-diphosphate inhibits the expression of the beta-lactamase and L12 genes but stimulates the synthesis of the LS. In addition, the ratio of fMet-Ser/fMet-Ala (L12/L10) synthesized was about 1 as compared with the ratio of 4 that has been obtained previously in vivo or in vitro protein-synthesizing systems in which the entire gene product was measured.

Base Sequence↗

Identification of tertiary base pair resonances in the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of transfer ribonucleic acid.

The low-field hydrogen-bond ring NH proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of several transfer ribonucleic acids (tRNAs) related to yeast tRNAPhe have been examined in detail. Several resonances are sensitive to magnesium ion and temperature, suggesting that they are derived from tertiary base pairs. These same resonances cannot be attributed to cloverleaf base pairs as shown by experimental assignment and ring current shift calculation of the secondary base pair resonances. The crystal structure of yeast tRNAPhe reveals at least six tertiary base pairs involving ring NH hydrogen bonds, which we conclude are responsible for the extra resonances observed in the low-field NMR spectrum. In several tRNAs with the same tertiary folding potential and dihydrouridine helix sequence as yeast tRNAPhe, the extra resonances from tertiary base pairs are observed at the same position in the spectrum.

Arginine↗