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C Florentz

Publications and source records attributed to C Florentz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Synthetic polyamines stimulate in vitro transcription by T7 RNA polymerase.

The influence of nine synthetic polyamines on in vitro transcription with T7 RNA polymerase has been studied. The compounds used were linear or macrocyclic tetra- and hexaamine, varying in their size, shape and number of protonated groups. Their effect was tested on different types of templates, all presenting the T7 RNA promoter in a double-stranded form followed by sequences encoding short transcripts (25 to 35-mers) either on single- or double-stranded synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides. All polyamines used stimulate transcription of both types of templates at levels dependent on their size, shape, protonation degree, and concentration. For each compound, an optimal concentration could be defined; above this concentration, transcription inhibition occurred. Highest stimulation (up to 12-fold) was obtained by the largest cyclic compound called [38]N6C10.

Bacteriophage T7↗
PubMed1994

Efficient aminoacylation of resected RNA helices by class II aspartyl-tRNA synthetase dependent on a single nucleotide.

We show here that small RNA helices which recapitulate part or all of the acceptor stem of yeast aspartate tRNA are efficiently aminoacylated by cognate class II aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. Aminoacylation is strongly dependent on the presence of the single-stranded G73 'discriminator' identity nucleotide and is essentially insensitive to the sequence of the helical region. Substrates which contain as few as 3 bp fused to G73CCAOH are aspartylated. Their charging is insensitive to the sequence of the loop closing the short helical domains. Aminoacylation of the aspartate mini-helix is not stimulated by a hairpin helix mimicking the anticodon domain and containing the three major anticodon identity nucleotides. A thermodynamic analysis demonstrates that enzyme interactions with G73 in the resected RNA substrates and in the whole tRNA are the same. Thus, if the resected RNA molecules resemble in some way the earliest substrates for aminoacylation with aspartate, then the contemporary tRNA(Asp) has quantitatively retained the influence of the major signal for aminoacylation in these substrates.

Acylation↗
PubMed1994

Molecular recognition of the identity-determinant set of isoleucine transfer RNA from Escherichia coli.

Molecular recognition of Escherichia coli tRNA(Ile) by the cognate isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS) was studied by analyses of chemical footprinting with N-nitroso-N-ethylurea and aminoacylation kinetics of variant tRNA(Ile) transcripts prepared with bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase. IleRS binds to the acceptor, dihydrouridine (D), and anticodon stems as well as to the anticodon loop. The "complete set" of determinants for the tRNA(Ile) identity consists of most of the nucleotides in the anticodon loop (G34, A35, U36, t6A37 and A38), the discriminator nucleotide (A73), and the base-pairs in the middle of the anticodon, D and acceptor stems (C29.G41, U12.A23 and C4.G69, respectively). As for the tertiary base-pairs, two are indispensable for the isoleucylation activity, whereas the others are dispensable. Correspondingly, some of the phosphate groups of these dispensable tertiary base-pair residues were shown to be exposed to N-nitroso-N-ethylurea when tRNA(Ile) was bound with IleRS. Furthermore, deletion of the T psi C-arm only slightly impaired the tRNA(Ile) activity. Thus, it is proposed that the recognition by IleRS of all the widely distributed identity determinants is coupled with a global conformational change that involves the loosening of a particular set of tertiary base-pairs of tRNA(Ile).

Anticodon↗
PubMed1994

Solution structure of the 3'-end of brome mosaic virus genomic RNAs. Conformational mimicry with canonical tRNAs.

The conformation of the last 201 nucleotides located at the 3'-end of brome mosaic virus (BMV) RNAs was investigated in solution using different chemical and enzymatic probes. Bases were probed with dimethylsulfate (which methylates N-1 positions of A, N-3 positions of C and N-7 positions of G), a carbodiimide (which modifies N-1 positions of G and N-3 positions of U) and diethylpyrocarbonate (which modifies N-7 positions of A). Ribonucleases T1, U2 and S1 were used to map unpaired nucleotides and ribonuclease V1 to monitor paired bases or stacked nucleotides. Cleavage or modification sites were detected by gel electrophoresis either indirectly by analyzing DNA sequence patterns generated by primer extension with reverse transcriptase of the modified RNAs or by direct identification within the statistical cleavage patterns of the RNA. On the basis of these biochemical results, an atomic model was built by computer modeling and its stereochemistry refined. The deduced secondary structure of the RNA confirms data previously proposed by others but contains additional base-pairs (A27-U32, A28-G31, G41-A134, G64-C68, U80-A99, G81-A98, G88-U91, G100-U126, U104-U125, G162-G166 and A172-A191), one new tertiary long-range interaction (U103-U164) and a small triple helical conformation with (G41-A134)-A18 and (C42-G133)-A17 interactions. The new secondary structure also indicates the existence of a second pseudoknot involving pairing between residues A181 to A184 and residues U197 to U194, outside the domain conferring tyrosylation ability to BMV RNA. The main outcome from the model stems from its intricate folding, which allows a new assignment for the domains mimicking the anticodon- and D-loop regions of tRNA. Interestingly, the stem and loop region found structurally to be analogous to the anticodon arm of tRNA(Tyr) does not contain the tyrosine anticodon involved in the aminoacylation process. The structural analogies with canonical tRNA(Tyr) illustrate the functional mimicry existing between the BMV RNA structure and canonical tRNA(Tyr) that allows for their efficient aminoacylation by tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. This structural model rationalizes mutagenic and footprinting data that have established the importance of specific regions of the viral RNA for recognition by its replicase, (ATP,CTP):tRNA nucleotidyl-transferase and yeast tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. The new fold has biological implications that can be used as a predictive tool for elaborating new experiments.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Triple aminoacylation specificity of a chimerized transfer RNA.

We report here the rational design and construction of a chimerized transfer RNA with tripartite aminoacylation specificity. A yeast aspartic acid specific tRNA was transformed into a highly efficient acceptor of alanine and phenylalanine and a moderate acceptor of valine. The transformation was guided by available knowledge of the requirements for aminoacylation by each of the three amino acids and was achieved by iterative changes in the local sequence context and the structural framework of the variable loop and the two variable regions of the dihydrouridine loop. The changes introduced to confer efficient acceptance of the three amino acids eliminate aminoacylation with aspartate. The interplay of determinants and antideterminants for different specific aminoacylations, and the constraints imposed by the structural framework, suggest that a tRNA with an appreciable capacity for more than three efficient aminoacylations may be inherently difficult to achieve.

Acylation↗
PubMed1993

Influence of tRNA tertiary structure and stability on aminoacylation by yeast aspartyl-tRNA synthetase.

Mutations have been designed that disrupt the tertiary structure of yeast tRNA(Asp). The effects of these mutations on both tRNA structure and specific aspartylation by yeast aspartyl-tRNA synthetase were assayed. Mutations that disrupt tertiary interactions involving the D-stem or D-loop result in destabilization of the base-pairing in the D-stem, as monitored by nuclease digestion and chemical modification studies. These mutations also decrease the specificity constant (kcat/Km) for aspartylation by aspartyl-tRNA synthetase up to 10(3)-10(4) fold. The size of the T-loop also influences tRNA(Asp) structure and function; change of its T-loop to a tetraloop (-UUCG-) sequence results in a denatured D-stem and an almost 10(4) fold decrease of kcat/Km for aspartylation. The negative effects of these mutations on aspartylation activity are significantly alleviated by additional mutations that stabilize the D-stem. These results indicate that a critical role of tertiary structure in tRNA(Asp) for aspartylation is the maintenance of a base-paired D-stem.

Acylation↗
PubMed1993

Additive, cooperative and anti-cooperative effects between identity nucleotides of a tRNA.

We have investigated the functional relationship between nucleotides in yeast tRNAAsp that are important for aspartylation by yeast aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. Transcripts of tRNAAsp with two or more mutations at identity positions G73, G34, U35, C36 and base pair G10-U25 have been prepared and the steady-state kinetics of their aspartylation were measured. Multiple mutations affect the catalytic activities of the synthetase mainly at the level of the catalytic constant, kcat. Kinetic data were expressed as free energy variation at transition state of these multiple mutants and comparison of experimental values with those calculated from results on single mutants defined three types of relationships between the identity nucleotides of this tRNA. Nucleotides located far apart in the three-dimensional structure of the tRNA act cooperatively whereas nucleotides of the anticodon triplet act either additively or anti-cooperatively. These results are related to the specific interactions of functional groups on identity nucleotides with amino acids in the protein as revealed by the crystal structure of the tRNAAsp/aspartyl-tRNA synthetase complex. These relationships between identity nucleotides may play an important role in the biological function of tRNAs.

Acylation↗
PubMed1993

Non-canonical substrates of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases: the tRNA-like structure of brome mosaic virus genomic RNA.

A 3-D model of the tyrosylable tRNA-like domain of the genomic brome mosaic virus RNAs was built by computer modelling based on solution probing of the molecule with different chemical and enzymatic reagents. This model encompasses four major structural domains, including two peculiar substructures oriented perpendicularly and mimicking a tRNA structure, and a fifth domain which makes the connection with the rest of the viral RNA. After recalling the different steps that led to the present structural knowledge of the BMV tRNA-like domain, we review its novel structural features revealed by the modelling and that did not appear in older versions of 3-D models of this structure. These features comprise additional base-pairs, hairpin loops, new tertiary long-range interactions, and a second pseudoknot. The main goal of this paper is to strengthen the validity of the model by establishing correlations between the putative 3-D conformation and the functional properties of the domain. For that, we show how the present structural model rationalises mutagenic and footprinting data that have established the importance of specific regions of the RNA for its recognition and aminoacylation by yeast tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. We discuss further how the model corroborates mutational analyses performed to understand recognition of this RNA domain by the (ATP,CTP):tRNA nucleotidyl-transferase and by the viral replicase. The published mutants of the BMV tRNA-like domain fall into two classes. In one class, the mutants leave unchanged the overall architecture of the molecule, thereby affecting functions directly. In the second class, the overall architecture of the mutants is perturbed, and thus functions are affected indirectly.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

The TYMV tRNA-like structure.

The genomic RNA from turnip yellow mosaic virus presents a 3'-end functionally and structurally related to tRNAs. This report summarizes our knowledge about the peculiar structure of the tRNA-like domain and its interaction with tRNA specific proteins, like RNAse P, tRNA nucleotidyl-transferase, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and elongation factors. It discusses also the biological role of this structure in the viral life cycle. A brief survey of our knowledge of other tRNA mimicries in biological systems, as well as their relevance for understanding canonical tRNA, will also be presented.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Specific valylation of turnip yellow mosaic virus RNA by wheat germ valyl-tRNA synthetase determined by three anticodon loop nucleotides.

The valylation by wheat germ valyl-tRNA synthetase of anticodon loop mutants of turnip yellow mosaic virus RNA has been studied. RNA substrates 264 nucleotides long were made by T7 RNA polymerase from cDNA encompassing the 3' tRNA-like region of genomic RNA. Substitution singly, or in combination, of three nucleotides in the anticodon loop resulted in very poor valylation (Vmax/KM less than 10(-3) relative to wild type). These nucleotides thus represent the major valine identity determinants recognized by wheat germ valyl-tRNA synthetase; their relative contribution to valine identity, in descending order, was as follows: the middle nucleotide of the anticodon (A56 in TYMV RNA), the 3' anticodon nucleotide (C55), and the 3'-most anticodon loop nucleotide (C53). Substitutions in the wobble position (C57) had no significant effect on valylation kinetics, while substitutions of the discriminator base (A4) resulted in small decreases in Vmax/Km. Mutations in the major identity nucleotides resulted in large increases in KM, suggesting that wheat germ valyl-tRNA synthetase has a lowered affinity for variant substrates with low valine identity. Comparison with other studies using valyl-tRNA synthetases from Escherichia coli and yeast indicates that the anticodon has been phylogenetically conserved as the dominant valine identity region, while the identity contribution of the discriminator base has been less conserved. The mechanism by which anticodon mutations are discriminated also appears to vary, being affinity-based for the wheat germ enzyme, and kinetically-based for the yeast enzyme [Florentz et al. (1991) Eur. J. Biochem. 195, 229-234].

Anticodon↗
PubMed1992

Effect of conformational features on the aminoacylation of tRNAs and consequences on the permutation of tRNA specificities.

The structure and function of in vitro transcribed tRNA(Asp) variants with inserted conformational features characteristic of yeast tRNA(Phe), such as the length of the variable region or the arrangement of the conserved residues in the D-loop, have been investigated. Although they exhibit significant conformational alterations as revealed by Pb2+ treatment, these variants are still efficiently aspartylated by yeast aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. Thus, this synthetase can accommodate a variety of tRNA conformers. In a second series of variants, the identity determinants of yeast tRNA(Phe) were transplanted into the previous structural variants of tRNA(Asp). The phenylalanine acceptance of these variants improves with increasing the number of structural characteristics of tRNA(Phe), suggesting that phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase is sensitive to the conformational frame embedding the cognate identity nucleotides. These results contrast with the efficient transplantation of tRNA(Asp) identity elements into yeast tRNA(Phe). This indicates that synthetases respond differently to the detailed conformation of their tRNA substrates. Efficient aminoacylation is not only dependent on the presence of the set of identity nucleotides, but also on a precise conformation of the tRNA.

Aspartate-tRNA Ligase↗
PubMed1992

Determinant nucleotides of yeast tRNA(Asp) interact directly with aspartyl-tRNA synthetase.

The interaction of wild-type and mutant yeast tRNA(Asp) transcripts with yeast aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (AspRS; EC 6.1.1.12) has been probed by using iodine cleavage of phosphorothioate-substituted transcripts. AspRS protects phosphates in the anticodon (G34, U35), D-stem (U25), and acceptor end (G73) that correspond to determinant nucleotides for aspartylation. This protection, as well as that in anticodon stem (C29, U40, G41) and D-stem (U11 to U13), is consistent with direct interaction of AspRS at these phosphates. Other protection, in the variable loop (G45), D-loop (G18, G19), and T-stem and loop (G53, U54, U55), as well as enhanced reactivity at G37, may result from conformational changes of the transcript upon binding to AspRS. Transcripts mutated at determinant positions showed a loss of phosphate protection in the region of the mutation while maintaining the global protection pattern. The ensemble of results suggests that aspartylation specificity arises from both protein-base and protein-phosphate contacts and that different regions of tRNA(Asp) interact independently with AspRS. A mutant transcript of yeast tRNA(Phe) that contains the set of identity nucleotides for specific aspartylation gave a phosphate protection pattern strikingly similar to that of wild-type tRNA(Asp). This confirms that a small number of nucleotides within a different tRNA sequence context can direct specific interaction with synthetase.

Aspartate-tRNA Ligase↗
PubMed1992

Anticodon-independent aminoacylation of an RNA minihelix with valine.

Minihelices mimicking the amino acid acceptor and anticodon branches of yeast tRNA(Val) have been synthesized by in vitro transcription of synthetic templates. It is shown that a minihelix corresponding to the amino acid acceptor branch and containing solely a valine-specific identity nucleotide can be aminoacylated by yeast valyl-tRNA synthetase. Its charging ability is lost after mutating this nucleotide. This ability is stimulated somewhat by the addition of a second hairpin helix that mimicks the anticodon arm, which suggests that information originating from the anticodon stem-loop can be transmitted to the active site of the enzyme by the core of the protein.

Anticodon↗
PubMed1992

Efficient mischarging of a viral tRNA-like structure and aminoacylation of a minihelix containing a pseudoknot: histidinylation of turnip yellow mosaic virus RNA.

Mischarging of the valine specific tRNA-like structure of turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) RNA has been tested in the presence of purified arginyl-, aspartyl-, histidinyl-, and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetases from bakers' yeast. Important mischarging of a 264 nucleotide-long transcript was found with histidinyl-tRNA synthetase which can acylate this fragment up to a level of 25% with a loss of specificity (expressed as Vmax/KM ratios) of only 100 fold as compared to a yeast tRNA(His) transcript. Experiments on transcripts of various lengths indicate that the minimal valylatable fragment (n = 88) is the most efficient substrate for histidinyl-tRNA synthetase, with kinetic characteristics similar to those found for the control tRNA(His) transcript. Mutations in the anticodon or adjacent to the 3' CCA that severely affect the valylation capacity of the 264 nucleotide long TYMV fragment are without negative effect on its mischarging, and for some cases even improve its efficiency. A short fragment (n = 42) of the viral RNA containing the pseudoknot and corresponding to the amino acid accepting branch of the molecule is an efficient histidine acceptor.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Identity elements for specific aminoacylation of yeast tRNA(Asp) by cognate aspartyl-tRNA synthetase.

The nucleotides crucial for the specific aminoacylation of yeast tRNA(Asp) by its cognate synthetase have been identified. Steady-state aminoacylation kinetics of unmodified tRNA transcripts indicate that G34, U35, C36, and G73 are important determinants of tRNA(Asp) identity. Mutations at these positions result in a large decrease (19- to 530-fold) of the kinetic specificity constant (ratio of the catalytic rate constant kcat and the Michaelis constant Km) for aspartylation relative to wild-type tRNA(Asp). Mutation to G10-C25 within the D-stem reduced kcat/Km eightfold. This fifth mutation probably indirectly affects the presentation of the highly conserved G10 nucleotide to the synthetase. A yeast tRNA(Phe) was converted into an efficient substrate for aspartyl-tRNA synthetase through introduction of the five identity elements. The identity nucleotides are located in regions of tight interaction between tRNA and synthetase as shown in the crystal structure of the complex and suggest sites of base-specific contacts.

Aspartate-tRNA Ligase↗
PubMed1991

Specific valylation identity of turnip yellow mosaic virus RNA by yeast valyl-tRNA synthetase is directed by the anticodon in a kinetic rather than affinity-based discrimination.

Variants with mutations in three parts of the tRNA-like structure of turnip yellow mosaic virus RNA (the anticodon, the discriminator position in the amino acid acceptor stem, and in the variable loop) were created via site-directed mutagenesis of a cDNA clone and transcription with T7 RNA polymerase. The valylation properties of transcripts were studied in the presence of pure yeast valyl-tRNA synthetase. Mutation of the central position of the anticodon triplet resulted in a quasi-total loss of valylation activity, indicating that the anticodon is a principal determinant for valylation of the turnip yellow mosaic virus tRNA-like structure. These anticodon mutants interacted with yeast valyl-tRNA synthetase with affinities comparable to those of the wild-type RNA and behaved as competitive inhibitors in the valylation reaction of yeast tRNAVal. The defective aminoacylation of these mutants therefore results from kinetic rather than affinity effects. Minor negative effects on valylation efficiency were observed for mutants with substitutions at the two other sites studied, suggesting a structural role or a limited contribution to the valine identity of the tRNA-like molecule.

Anticodon↗