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M Yarus

Publications and source records attributed to M Yarus.

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

tRNA structure and ribosomal function. II. Interaction between anticodon helix and other tRNA mutations.

Using multiply mutated tRNA genes, we have studied unusual coding by tRNAs that have altered nucleotides (nt) 27-43, which normally form the top base-pair of the anticodon helix. In vivo, nt 27-43 mutations accelerate non-canonical C-A coding at the third (3') codon position 14-fold, similar to the 40-fold stimulation originally shown for first (5') codon position non-canonical G-U pairing. Thus the effects of nt 27-43 generalize to a second type of unusual coding. Nt 27-43 changes have a similar relative effect on tRNA level, aminoacylation, and ribosomal activity, despite concurrent changes of the 3' anticodon nucleotide which alter coding. However, under conditions of efficient aminoacylation, only a fraction of these (potential missense) anticodon changes can be recovered, suggesting toxicity. Available data support the idea that the effects of nt 27-43 are not particular to one codon. A previously isolated D-arm mutation (G24A) has a similar coding effect, enhancing both first position G-U wobble up to 130-fold, the third position C-A mispairing 40-fold. Anticodon helix mutations at 27-43 have little effect on 3' or 5' miscoding in the presence of the G24A D-arm mutation, and reciprocally, the D-arm's effects are much diminished in the presence of the anticodon helix mutations. Because these two tRNA loci alter both types of aberrant coding, and because they are highly interdependent, they may exploit a similar mechanism, dependent on a similar effect on tRNA conformation. We suggest a relatively non-specific decrease in the ribosomal rejection rates for tRNAs altered at anticodon helix nucleotides 27 and 43. Thus coding via non-canonical pairings at both 5' and 3' ends of the codon-anticodon helix has a measurable rate in vivo. However, we find that normal tRNA structure minimizes the efficiency of this aberrant translation. To put these same findings in another light, tRNAs bearing identical anticodons, if altered in structure elsewhere, may translate the genetic code differently.

Anticodon↗
PubMed1994

An RNA pocket for an aliphatic hydrophobe.

We have isolated an RNA with specific affinity for the L-valine side chain, using selection-amplification. The active RNA secondary structure, identified by repeated selection, is a highly conserved asymmetric (4:10) internal loop adjacent to required G-U pairs. The binding free-energy per methylene is up to 1.5 kcal mol-1, and very dependent on group position. Amino acid binding is L-stereoselective and distinguishes aliphatic sidechains by size and, given the same total size, by configuration. Though aliphatic-RNA interactions have frequently been neglected, their avidity and specificity seem sufficient for a biological role.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1993

Three small ribooligonucleotides with specific arginine sites.

Arginine-binding RNA motifs are important to protein-RNA interaction and perhaps also for Archean biochemistry. Selection-amplification was used to isolate three RNAs that are eluted by free arginine from an L-arginine affinity column (Kd approximately 0.2-0.4 mM). The binding sites contain specific internal and bulge loops, whose sequences can include arginine coding triplets. Binding is highly specific for arginine, but all three motifs, like the self-splicing group I intron, also bind guanosine 5'-monophosphate. One site is stereoselective, somewhat preferring D-arginine.

Arginine↗
PubMed1993

Metal coordination sites that contribute to structure and catalysis in the group I intron from Tetrahymena.

We have used nucleoside phosphorothioates (NTP alpha S) and a substitution-interference method to identify phosphate oxygens that appear to be important to guanosine cofactor addition in the self-splicing group I intron from Tetrahymena thermophila. For the majority of these phosphate oxygens, however, the effect of NTP alpha S substitution is significantly reduced in reactions containing the added presence of manganese ion (Mn2+) relative to magnesium ion (Mg2+) alone. The observed "rescue" of the NTP alpha S effect at these positions is thought to be due to the larger affinity of Mn2+ for sulfur. These data suggest the direct coordination of divalent metal ions within the highly conserved catalytic core of the Tetrahymena intron. Because many of these metal binding sites appear to be in positions of close backbone-backbone approach, and adjacent to the guanosine binding site the splice junction, we suggest roles for the corresponding ions in stabilizing tertiary structure and substrate recognition and as participants in catalysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

How many catalytic RNAs? Ions and the Cheshire cat conjecture.

Three well-characterized RNA catalysts not only require Mg2+ for activity, but also bind a metal ion (or ions) within the active site, apparently in a catalytic rather than solely structural role. I suggest, in view of the general catalytic utility of bound ions, that catalytic RNAs be viewed as Cheshire cats, by dimming their complex three-dimensional ribonucleotide structure to leave only the sharp mineral parts in view. That is, catalytic RNAs may be viewed as metalloenzymes, with the burdens of catalysis frequently borne by specifically poised metal ions. Comparison to modern protein metalloenzymes predicts particular RNA metallocatalysts that may be possible presently, and in a hypothetical ancestral RNA world that did not encode peptide catalysts. In support of this view, known catalytic RNAs can be considered Cheshire catalysts; that is, they have apparent cognates among the protein metalloenzymes.

Catalysis↗
PubMed1992

Analysis of the role of phosphate oxygens in the group I intron from Tetrahymena.

We have developed a quantitative substitution interference technique to examine the role of Pro-Rp oxygens in the phosphodiester backbone of RNA, using phosphorothioates as a structural probe. This approach is generally applicable to any reaction involving RNA in which the precursor and reaction products can be separated. We have applied the technique to identity structural requirements in the group I intron from Tetrahymena thermophila for catalysis of hydrolysis at the 3' splice site; 44 phosphate oxygens are important in 3' splice site hydrolysis. These include four or five oxygens previously observed to be important in exon ligation. Although phosphate oxygens having a functional significance can be found throughout the intron, the strongest phosphorothioate effects are closely associated with positions in the highly conserved intron core, which are likely to be involved in tertiary interactions, substrate recognition and catalysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Co-optimization of ribozyme substrate stacking and L-arginine binding.

A model of the Tetrahymena catalytic site predicts that nucleotide 262 (nt262) caps an RNA pocket in which nucleoside substrates and arginine-like competitive inhibitors reside. Here we show that substituted RNAs behave as if nt262 stacks on nucleoside substrates, supporting the model. The more frequent an nt262 is in natural sequences, the more reactive the corresponding Tetrahymena RNA is for both cognate and non-cognate nucleoside substrates. These more reactive RNAs with the majority nt262 also bind arginine more strongly, stereoselect more strongly in favor of L-arginine, and make a greater distinction between the somewhat similar side-chains of L-arginine and L-lysine. These parallel changes in interaction with nucleosides and arginine analogs seem best explained by stacking of the arginine's guanidino group under the nt262 base. One consequence is that selection for improved Tetrahymena catalysis with nucleosides should also yield an improved arginine site.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Bar to normal UGA translation by the selenocysteine tRNA.

The selC gene product, tRNA(Sec), inserts selenocysteine at UGA (opal) codons in a specialized mRNA context. We have investigated the action of the tRNA at ordinary UGA codons, normally not translated, by changing the unusual structural features of tRNA(Sec). Sequences in the D arm, CCA arm and variable arm of the tRNA all contribute to the prohibition against translation of ordinary UGA codons. One multiple mutant is a moderately efficient serine-inserting UGA suppressor tRNA.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Proofreading, NTPases and translation: successful increase in specificity.

The discussion of proofreading started in the April issue of TIBS is completed by treating the two branched Michaelis-Menten enzymes that can proofread. The conditions required for proofreading can be seen to determine the expression of proofreading in its biological settings. There are surely instances of proofreading as yet unrecognized.

Kinetics↗
PubMed1992

Proofreading, NTPases and translation: constraints on accurate biochemistry.

Two accurate individual reactions can work together as a more accurate overall mechanism. This is straightforward for a transient reaction, but the same accuracy in the steady state (termed proofreading) requires many preconditions. The preconditions for proofreading can be summarized as four statements, which allow experimental identification and subsequent confirmation of proofreading mechanisms.

Models, Genetic↗
PubMed1991

An axial binding site in the Tetrahymena precursor RNA.

Previous studies allow the construction of three distinct models of the binding of G and arginine within the active site of the Tetrahymena self-splicing preribosomal precursor RNA. These models (base triple, axial I and axial II) are now distinguished by measurements on the specificity of RNAs with nucleotide substitutions at positions spanning the site. Because the semi-conserved unpaired nucleotide 263 has no effect on substrate or inhibitor selection by the Tetrahymena RNA we conclude that the axial I model is improbable. In contrast, data with substituted RNAs and nucleoside analogs suggest that nucleotide 265 makes a hydrogen bond with the substrate. Accordingly the active site appears axial because substrate contacts exist at more than one nucleotide on the 5' side of the P7 helix. The effects of this hydrogen bond are observable in cases where the donor or acceptor is on the RNA, whether nucleotide 265 is a purine or pyrimidine, or whether nucleotide 265 is mispaired, wobble paired or normally paired. This pattern is consistent with the axial II model. Molecular dynamics and energy minimization calculations lead to the same conclusions as these site-directed substitutions; the base triple and axial I models are unstable dynamically. Under thermal agitation, the third model site (axial II) is transformed to a related, but more stable structure, axial III. The axial III active site is characterized by the extrusion of the conserved bulged base 263 from the P7 helix, a semi-pocket for G base formed by stacking of nucleotide 262, and formation of all bonds to the G base originally proposed for both the base triple and axial II sites. Because of these hydrogen bonds the axial III site is also consistent with data on enzymatic specificity. The axial III model indicates an unforeseen capacity for pocket formation within the groove of an RNA helix, suggests that the site may be unusually flexible, and bears on a hypothesis concerning the origin of the genetic code.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Selection of small molecules by the Tetrahymena catalytic center.

The catalytic center in group I RNAs contains a selective binding site that accommodates both guanosine and L-arginine. In order to understand the specificity of the RNA for small molecules, we analyzed 6 RNAs that vary in this region. Specificity for nucleotides resides substantially in G264 rather than its paired nucleotide C311, and is expressed substantially in Km, with comparatively little variation in kcat. kcat is not notably perturbed even for RNAs with mispairs in the active-site helix. For 5 of 6 sequences, effects of RNA substitutions on arginine binding and GTP reactivity are proportional, confirming that arginine contacts a subset of the groups occupied by G. As a result of particular mutations, reaction with GTP is decreased, and reaction with the natural nucleotides UTP and ATP is enhanced. Molecular modeling of these effects suggests that exceptionally flexible placement of reactants may be an essential quality of RNA-catalyzed splicing. The specificity of the intron can be rationalized by a type of binding model not previously considered, in which the G/arginine site includes adjacent nucleotides (an 'axial' site), rather than a single nucleotide, G264.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1991

An RNA-amino acid complex and the origin of the genetic code.

The group I RNAs, of which the Tetrahymena ribosomal RNA intron is the most investigated example, catalyze their own splicing reactions. Splicing is initiated at a conserved site on the RNA that facilitates attack by exogenous guanosine (or its nucleotides) on the exon-intron junction. The guanosine site in the RNA's catalytic center also binds arginine, and is quite selective for the arginine side chain. This amino acid-RNA interaction is stereoselective, and L-arginine is preferred. Immediately at the site at which arginine binds there is one of only four RNA triplets in 92 group I RNA sequences: AGA/G and CGA/G. Thus the arginine contact site is within any of four different codons for arginine. Mutation of the conserved G in the middle of the triplet decreases affinity for the amino acid, showing that binding is sequence-specific. A pathway for the origin of the genetic code for arginine is suggested, based on the existence and properties of this sequence-specific, amino acid-specific RNA complex. The existence of a proto-ribosome related to the group I RNAs seems the most likely hypothesis. This notion is used to distinguish three periods in the development of the code. Restrained and exuberant hypotheses about the origin of the genetic code are distinguished, and some objections to these hypotheses are considered.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

A simple and sensitive in vivo luciferase assay for tRNA-mediated nonsense suppression.

We present a rapid assay for tRNA suppression in living Escherichia coli. An amber, ochre, or opal nonsense mutation in a cloned luxB gene from the bacterium Vibrio harveyi was suppressed. Because luciferase (Lux) activity depends completely on the appearance of the full-length luxB gene product, the amount of light produced was proportional to tRNA-mediated nonsense suppression in the cell. This luminometric assay was notably quicker, easier, and more sensitive than a traditional colorimetric assay employing beta-galactosidase. Assays required only one addition to a growing culture and were complete within 1 min. Light output was directly proportional to the amount of bacterial luciferase in a sample over a range of greater than or equal to 40,000-fold. Fewer than 100 cells were required for detection of Lux with ordinary instrumentation; assays were 80-fold more sensitive than simultaneous beta-galactosidase measurements. Assayed cells survived and could be recovered as colony formers. The beta-galactosidase colorimetric assay and the luciferase assay were similarly reproducible. Light from colonies expressing Lux was visible to the dark-adapted eye and useful for screening. A rapid assay that does not depend on the formation of permanent transformants can be based on electroporation followed by luminometry.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Stereoselective arginine binding is a phylogenetically conserved property of group I self-splicing RNAs.

We have examined the reaction of GTP with RNA polymerase transcripts containing the self-splicing RNA precursors from the Neurospora crassa Cob1 intron, and from introns in the sunY, nrdB and td genes of bacteriophage T4. In each case, we find a low Km for GTP (between 0.8 and 11 microM), accompanied by competitive inhibition of the GTP reaction by L-arginine, as was found for the previously examined Tetrahymena nuclear pre-rRNA intron. Trials with the 20 standard amino acids show that inhibition in all cases is specific to the arginine side-chain. L-arginine binds with similar affinity to all introns studied, the Ki's ranging from 4.3 to 21 mM. Strikingly, the relative binding preference of the RNAs for L- versus D-arginine is highly conserved: the ratio of L-arg Ki/D-arg Ki, the stereoselectivity, is always close to 2. Because of the conservation of GTP and arginine binding constants and particularly because of the conserved stereoselectivity, we conclude that the evolution of an effective group I RNA transesterification catalyst necessarily produces a specific and stereoselective RNA binding site for a single amino acid. This suggests that selection for an ancient group I RNA could have fortuitously initiated the specific association of RNA sequences with amino acids, a first step toward the genetic code.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1989

Codon contexts from weakly expressed genes reduce expression in vivo.

Nucleotides that neighbor codons in Escherichia coli genes are highly non-random. Furthermore, these context biases are stronger and extend farther from the codon in weakly expressed than in highly expressed genes. We therefore suggested that codon contexts are selected to reduce gene expression levels. We now compare the expression levels of lacZ genes containing two specific coding sequences (context inserts). One context insert represents contexts seen in weakly expressed genes (low variant); the other represents contexts seen in highly expressed genes (high variant). The two variants have identical nucleotide and codon compositions, and encode the same protein. A permutation of four nucleotides, which changes eight codon:codon interfaces of 1043, comprises the only difference between the high and low context variant genes. In three different lacZ mRNAs, the low variant was expressed at a level significantly below that of the high variant. This context effect depends entirely on translation of the contexts in the correct frame; its magnitude depends in part on the placement of other features (e.g. transcriptional pauses and terminators, or perhaps other slow codons or contexts) in the mRNAs. Changing the ribosome density on the message by changing the ribosome binding site distinguishes between dropoff, interference and polarity, three fundamentally different types of models for the context effect. The expression difference between context variants is eliminated by both increases and decreases in the ribosome initiation frequency, as uniquely predicted by the polarity model. In fact, data from all constructions are accommodated by a model in which slow translation of the low context insert increases rho-dependent transcriptional termination within the test gene. The data suggest that the rates of translational initiation and elongation are poised with respect to the rate of transcriptional elongation so that all are influential in setting the expression level of wild-type lacZ. We conclude that context-induced polarity will exist in genes wherever low and reproducible gene product levels have been selected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

A Tetrahymena intron nucleotide connected to the GTP/arginine site.

We have substituted all nucleotides at intron nucleotide 260 (N260) in transcripts related to the self-splicing Tetrahymena rRNA. Substitution slightly affects the binding and reaction of GTP with this group I catalytic center; kcat/Km varies over a three-fold range. The base of N260 therefore communicates with the rG site, but is unlikely to bond directly to GTP. Different nucleotides at this position also alter the binding of L-arginine to the intron, measured by inhibition of the reaction with GTP. Effects of similar small magnitude on interaction of RNA with both GTP and L-arginine support the previous argument from kinetic and structural comparison (Yarus, M. (1988) Science 240, 1751) that placed the two ligands of the RNA in the same binding site. G260 RNA shows the greatest affinity for both D- and L-arginine, but uniquely lacks stereoselectivity for the amino acid. Therefore G260 alters spatial relations within the G site, otherwise conserved in C260, U260, and A260 RNA's. Guanyl urea was used as a probe for the G/guanidino H-bonding part of the rG/arginine site. G260 RNA's dissociation constant for guanyl urea is similar to that of the other RNA's, suggesting that G260 RNA is unaltered at the G/guanidino end of the rG/arginine binding site. To account for all observations, we suggest that the G260 substitution alters the relative location of the RNA backbone near the 5' exon-intron junction, making this location more flexible and closer to the alpha-NH3+'s of L- and D-arginine.

Animals↗