Biomedical subjects

R Brimacombe

Publications and source records attributed to R Brimacombe.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Stem-loop IV of 5S rRNA lies close to the peptidyltransferase center.

A DNA fragment containing the Escherichia coli 5S rDNA sequence linked to a T7 promoter was prepared by PCR from an M13 clone carrying the 5S-complementary sequence. The DNA was transcribed with T7 polymerase using a mixture of [alpha-32P]UTP and 4-thio-UTP, yielding a transcript in which approximately 18% of the uridine residues were randomly replaced by thiouridine. This modified 5S RNA could be reconstituted efficiently into 50S ribosomal subunits or 70S functional complexes. The reconstituted particles were irradiated at wavelengths above 300 nm, and the crosslinked ribosomal components were identified. A crosslink in high yield was reproducibly observed between the modified 5S RNA and 23S RNA, involving residue U-89 of the 5S RNA (at the loop end of helix IV) linked to nucleotide 2477 of the 23S RNA in the loop end of helix 89, immediately adjacent to the peptidyltransferase "ring." On the basis of this result, and in combination with earlier immunoelectron microscopic data, we propose a model for the orientation of the 5S RNA in the 50S subunit.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Contacts between the growing peptide chain and the 23S RNA in the 50S ribosomal subunit.

Peptides of defined length carrying a diazirine photoaffinity label attached either to the alpha-NH2 group of the N-terminal methionine residue, or to the epsilon-NH2 group of an immediately adjacent lysine residue, were prepared in situ on Escherichia coli ribosomes in the presence of a synthetic mRNA analogue. Peptide growth was stopped simply by withholding the aminoacyl-tRNA cognate to an appropriate downstream codon. After photo-activation at 350 nm the sites of cross-linking to ribosomal RNA were determined by our standard procedures; the C-terminal amino acid of each peptide was labelled with tritium, in order to confirm whether the individual cross-linked complexes contained the expected 'full-length' peptide, as opposed to shorter products. The shortest peptides became cross-linked to sites within the 'peptidyl transferase ring' of the 23S RNA, namely to positions 2062, 2506, 2585 and 2609. However, already when the peptide was three or four residues long, a new cross-link was observed several hundred nucleotides away in another secondary structural domain; this site, at position 1781, lies within one of several RNA regions which have been implicated in other studies as being located close to the peptidyl transferase ring. Further application of this approach, combined with model-building studies, should enable the path of the nascent peptide through the large ribosomal subunit to be definitively mapped.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Prokaryotic translation: the interactive pathway leading to initiation.

Finding answers to the many open questions concerning the mechanism and control of prokaryotic translation remains one of the central challenges of molecular biology. In fact, recent experimental data even force us to reconsider aspects that were previously thought to be established fact. Here, we attempt a synthesis of new and not-so-new information, which leads to a revised and testable working hypothesis for translational initiation.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Site-directed cross-linking of mRNA analogues to 16S ribosomal RNA; a complete scan of cross-links from all positions between '+1' and '+16' on the mRNA, downstream from the decoding site.

mRNA analogues containing 4-thiouridine residues at selected sites were used to extend our analysis of photo-induced cross-links between mRNA and 16S RNA to cover the entire downstream range between positions +1 and +16 on the mRNA (position +1 is the 5'-base of the P-site codon). No tRNA-dependent cross-links were observed from positions +1, +2, +3 or +5. Position +4 on the mRNA was cross-linked in a tRNA-dependent manner to 16S RNA at a site between nucleotides ca 1402-1415 (most probably to the modified residue 1402), and this was absolutely specific for the +4 position. Similarly, the previously observed cross-link to nucleotide 1052 was absolutely specific for the +6 position. The previously observed cross-links from +7 to nucleotide 1395 and from +11 to 532 were however seen to a lesser extent with certain types of mRNA sequence from neighbouring positions (+6 to +10, and +10 to +13, respectively); no tRNA-dependent cross-links to other sites on 16S RNA were found from these positions, and no cross-linking was seen from positions +14 to +16. In each case the effect of a second cognate tRNA (at the ribosomal A-site) on the level of cross-linking was studied, and the specificity of each cross-link was confirmed by translocation experiments with elongation factor G, using appropriate mRNA analogues.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Site-directed cross-linking studies on the E. coli tRNA-ribosome complex: determination of sites labelled with an aromatic azide attached to the variable loop or aminoacyl group of tRNA.

tRNA(Phe) from E. coli, modified with the photoreactive label N-(p-azidobenzoyl)-glycine (ABG) either at the naturally occurring nucleotide 3-(3-amino-3-carboxy-propyl) uridine (acp3U47) or the alpha-amino group of Phe-tRNA(Phe), was bound nonenzymatically to 70S ribosomes in the presence of poly (U) or short synthetic mRNA molecules prepared by T7 transcription. The noncovalent complexes were subjected to a mild ultraviolet irradiation treatment and the sites of photo-incorporation were analysed. When the photo-affinity label was attached to the aminoacyl group cross-linking was observed from both A- and P-site bound tRNA and involved exclusively the 50S subunit. In both cases the major target of cross-linking was a single site in 23S RNA, localized to position A-2439. A lower yield of cross-linking to L27 from both P- and A-sites was also observed. In contrast, cross-linking from the acp3U47 derivative was specific for P-site bound tRNA and involved mainly (but not exclusively) the 50S subunit. In this case rRNA and ribosomal protein were labelled in approximately equal yields, the sites of cross-linking involving A-2309 in 23S RNA and L33. These results are discussed in the light of our present knowledge concerning the structural arrangement of the tRNA-ribosome complex.

Affinity Labels↗

PubMed1993

Clustering of modified nucleotides at the functional center of bacterial ribosomal RNA.

An aryl trifluoromethyl diazirine photoreactive derivative was attached to the 2-thiocytidine residue at position 32 of tRNA(IArg) and this derivatized tRNA was bound to Escherichia coli 70S ribosomes. After irradiation at 350 nm the site of cross-linking to the 16S RNA was analyzed by our standard procedures and found to lie within the secondary structural element comprising bases 956-983; this region contains two modified nucleotides at positions 966 and 967. Similarly, an aryl azido photoreactive derivative was attached to the phenylalanine residue of Phe-tRNA(Phe), and the derivatized aminoacyl tRNA was bound to the ribosome either at the A- or the P-site. In both cases, after irradiation at 250 nm, the cross-link site was localized to position 2439 of the 23S RNA; in the secondary structure of the latter the neighboring nucleotide 2442 is base-paired to a modified nucleotide at position 2069. Taken together with other cross-linking data, these results now directly implicate a total of 27 out of the 29 modified nucleotides in E. coli 16S and 23S RNA as lying within or close to the functional center of the ribosome.

Azirines↗

PubMed1993

mRNA-ribosome interactions.

Synthetic mRNA analogues were constructed with sequences related to the Cro-protein mRNA from lambda-phage and prepared by T7 transcription. Each mRNA contained several thiouridine (thio-U) residues. The regions upstream from the AUG initiator codon of the mRNA were the same in all the messages, whereas in the downstream part the thio-U residues were placed in selected positions. These positions covered the region from +4 to +16 (A in the initiator AUG codon being defined as +1). After binding to the ribosome in the presence of initiator tRNA the thio-U residues were activated by u.v. irradiation and the resulting sites of cross-linking to 16 S rRNA and ribosomal proteins were analysed. Cross-links to several ribosomal proteins were identified in different types of complex. Changes in the conformation of the small ribosomal subunit in different initiation and elongation complexes are discussed.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

PubMed1992

How are tRNAs and mRNA arranged in the ribosome? An attempt to correlate the stereochemistry of the tRNA-mRNA interaction with constraints imposed by the ribosomal topography.

Two tRNA molecules at the ribosomal A- and P-sites, with a relatively small angle between the planes of the L-shaped molecules, can be arranged in two mutually exclusive orientations. In one (the 'R'-configuration), the T-loop of the A-site tRNA faces the D-loop of the P-site tRNA, whereas in the other (the 'S'-configuration) the D-loop of the A-site tRNA faces the T-loop of the P-site tRNA. A number of stereochemical arguments, based on the crystal structure of 'free' tRNA, favour the R-configuration. In the ribosome, the CCA-ends of the tRNA molecules are 'fixed' at the base of the central protuberance (the peptidyl transferase centre) of the 50S subunit, and the anticodon loops lie in the neck region (the decoding site) of the 30S subunit. The translocation step is essentially a rotational movement of the tRNA from the A- to the P-site, and there is convincing evidence that the A-site must be located nearest to the L7/L12 protuberance of the 50S subunit. The mRNA in the two codon-anticodon duplexes lies on the 'inside' of the 'elbows' of the tRNA molecules (in both the S-type and R-type configurations), and runs up between the two molecules from the A- to the P-site in the 3' to 5'-direction. These considerations have the consequence that in the S-configuration the mRNA in the codon-anticodon duplexes is directed towards the 50S subunit, whereas in the R-configuration it is directed towards the 30S subunit. The results of site-directed cross-linking experiments, in particular cross-links to mRNA at positions within or very close to the codons interacting with A- or P-site tRNA, favour the latter situation. This conclusion is in direct contradiction to other current models for the arrangement of mRNA and tRNA on the ribosome.

Cross-Linking Reagents↗

PubMed1992

The topography of the 3'-terminal region of Escherichia coli 16S ribosomal RNA; an intra-RNA cross-linking study.

30S ribosomal subunits, 70S ribosomes or polysomes from E. coli were subjected to mild ultraviolet irradiation, and the 3'-terminal region of the 16S RNA was excised by 'addressed cleavage' using ribonuclease H in the presence of suitable complementary oligodeoxynucleotides. RNA fragments from this region containing intra-RNA cross-links were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and the cross-link sites identified by our standard procedures. Five new cross-links were found in the 30S subunit, which were localized at positions 1393-1401 linked to 1531-1532, 1393-1401 linked to 1506, 1393-1401 to 1502-1504, 1402-1403 to 1498-1501, and 1432 to 1465-69, respectively. In 70S ribosomes or polysomes the first four of these were absent, but instead two cross-links between the 1400-region and tRNA were observed. These results are discussed in the context of the tertiary folding of the 3'-terminal region of the 16S RNA and its known functional significance as part of the ribosomal decoding centre.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Identification of intermolecular RNA cross-links at the subunit interface of the Escherichia coli ribosome.

32P-Labeled 70S ribosomes and polysomes were isolated from cultures of Escherichia coli and treated with the cross-linking reagent bis(2-chloroethyl)methylamine. Intermolecular 16S-23S RNA cross-linked complexes were separated from other products of the cross-linking reactions by a two-step sucrose density gradient centrifugation procedure and subjected to oligodeoxynucleotide-directed partial nuclease digestions with RNase H. Cross-linked RNA fragments released by such directed digests were resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and analyzed using classical oligonucleotide fingerprinting techniques. Two distinct intermolecular cross-links between the 16S and 23S RNA could be localized in this manner, involving positions 1408-1411 and 1518-1520 in the 16S RNA sequence and positions 1912-1920 in the 23S RNA sequence. These data provide the first direct topographical links between the RNA of the 30S and 50S subunits in the functional ribosome and, together with previous topographical data concerning the three-dimensional folding of the rRNA, demonstrate that there is a tight cluster at the ribosomal interface both of sites implicated in ribosomal function and of posttranscriptionally modified nucleotides in the rRNA.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Three widely separated positions in the 16S RNA lie in or close to the ribosomal decoding region; a site-directed cross-linking study with mRNA analogues.

Synthetic mRNA analogues were prepared by T7 transcription, each containing several thio-uridine residues at selected positions. After binding to the ribosome in the presence of cognate tRNA, the thio-U residues were activated by UV irradiation and the resulting sites of cross-linking to 16S RNA analysed. Three distinct cross-links were consistently observed: (i) from position '+6' of the mRNA (the 3'-base of the A-site codon) to base 1052 of 16S RNA; (ii) from position '+7' of the mRNA to base 1395; and (iii) from '+11' to base 532. Individual yields of the cross-links were strongly dependent on the particular mRNA sequence in each case. The '+11/532' and '+6/1052' cross-links were always entirely tRNA-dependent, whereas the '+7/1395' cross-link was observed at lower intensity in the absence of tRNA. In the presence of a second (A-site bound) tRNA the +6/1052 cross-link was markedly reduced. A cross-link to the 1050 region was again observed when a message carrying a thio-U at position '+9' was translocated on the ribosome so as to bring the thio-U to position +6. Taken together, the data are incompatible with some current models both for the three-dimensional arrangement of 16S RNA and for the orientation of the tRNA-mRNA complex in the ribosome.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Structure-function correlations (and discrepancies) in the 16S ribosomal RNA from Escherichia coli.

The published model for the three-dimensional arrangement of E coli 16S RNA is re-examined in the light of new experimental information, in particular cross-linking data with functional ligands and cross-links between the 16S and 23S RNA molecules. A growing body of evidence suggests that helix 18 (residues 500-545), helix 34 (residues 1046-1067/1189-1211) and helix 44 (residues 1409-1491) are incorrectly located in the model. It now appears that the functional sites in helices 18 and 34 may be close to the decoding site of the 30S subunit, rather than being on the opposite side of the 'head' of the subunit, as hitherto supposed. Helix 44 is now clearly located at the interface between the 30S and 50S subunits. Furthermore, almost all of the modified bases in both 16S and 23S RNA appear to form a tight cluster near to the upper end of this helix, surrounding the decoding site.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1991

The three-dimensional folding of ribosomal RNA; localization of a series of intra-RNA cross-links in 23S RNA induced by treatment of Escherichia coli 50S ribosomal subunits with bis-(2-chloroethyl)-methylamine.

Intact 50S ribosomal subunits from E.coli were cross-linked with the symmetrical bifunctional reagent bis-(2-chloroethyl)-methylamine. After deproteinization, selected regions of the 23S RNA were excised by treatment with ribonuclease H in the presence of appropriate complementary decadeoxynucleotides, and screened for the presence of intra-RNA cross-links by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Individual isolated cross-linked RNA fragments were analysed by our established procedures. Sixteen intra-RNA cross-links were identified, three of which corresponded to those previously published. The thirteen 'new' cross-links were localized in the 23S RNA at positions 774-78 linked to 792-94, 876-79 linked to 899-900, 979-81 or 983-84 to 2029, 1715 to 1743-46, 1911-21 to 1964, 1933 to 1966, 2032 to 2054-55, 2112 to 2169-71, 2116-17 to 2163-67, 2128-32 to 2156-59, 2392-93 to 2422-23, 2737-38 to 2763-66, and 2791 to 2890. These results are discussed in the context of three-dimensional model-building studies with the 23S RNA, with particular reference to the environment of the 'active centre' of the 50S subunit.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1991

The path of mRNA through the Escherichia coli ribosome; site-directed cross-linking of mRNA analogues carrying a photo-reactive label at various points 3' to the decoding site.

mRNA analogues approximately 40 bases long were prepared by T7 transcription from synthetic DNA templates. Each message contained the sequence ACC-GCG (coding for threonine and alanine, respectively), together with a single thio-U residue located at a variable position on the 3'-side of these coding triplets. The thio-U residue was either substituted with 4-azidophenacyl bromide to introduce a photo-reactive group, or was left unsubstituted for direct UV cross-linking. After binding to Escherichia coli 70S ribosomes in the presence of tRNA-Thr or tRNA-Ala, the thio-U residue or azidophenyl group was photo-activated and the products of cross-linking (which was exclusively to the 30S subunit) were analysed. Immunological analysis of the cross-linked proteins showed that S5 and S3, together with S1, were the targets of cross-linking at positions close to the decoding site, with the cross-linking to S3 and S1 persisting at positions further away. Analysis of the 16S RNA showed cross-links to the region of bases 1390-1400 in all cases, but in one instance (with the reactive nucleotide 11 bases from the decoding site) simultaneous cross-linking was observed to the latter region and to position 532; these two RNA regions are far apart in current three-dimensional models of the 30S subunit.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

The location of mRNA in the ribosomal 30S initiation complex; site-directed cross-linking of mRNA analogues carrying several photo-reactive labels simultaneously on either side of the AUG start codon.

Messenger RNA molecules 30-35 bases long, with sequences related to the 5'-region of cro-mRNA from lambda-phage, were prepared by T7 transcription from synthetic DNA templates. Each mRNA contained five or six internal uridine residues, which were transcribed using a mixture of UTP and thio-UTP. Initiation complexes were formed with Escherichia coli 30S ribosomes in the presence or absence of tRNA(fMet), and cross-linking of the thio-U residues was induced by UV irradiation at wavelengths greater than 300 nm. The cross-linked ribosomal proteins were identified immunologically, and cross-linked regions of the 16S RNA were isolated by excision with ribonuclease H and suitable deoxyoligonucleotides. In both cases, the particular thio-U residue involved in the cross-link was identified by ribonuclease T1 fingerprinting of the (radioactive) mRNA in the isolated cross-linked complex. The principal results were that, at thio-U positions upstream of the AUG codon, specific cross-linking occurred to protein S7 and to the 3'-terminus of the 16S RNA, in agreement with similar experiments using 70S ribosomes. Less specific cross-linking was observed to proteins S1, S18 and S21 at various positions within the mRNA. Six bases downstream from the AUG codon, a tRNA-dependent cross-link was found to position approximately 1050 of the 16S RNA, but--in contrast to similar experiments with 70S ribosomes--no cross-linking was found to the 1390-1400 region.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Localization of a series of RNA-protein cross-link sites in the 23S and 5S ribosomal RNA from Escherichia coli, induced by treatment of 50S subunits with three different bifunctional reagents.

50S ribosomal subunits were reacted with bis-(2-chloroethyl)methylamine, 2-iminothiolane or methyl p-azidophenyl acetimidate, and RNA-protein cross-link sites on the RNA were localised using our published procedures. The degree of precision with which these sites could be determined was variable, depending on the particular protein or RNA region concerned. The following positions in the 23S RNA were identified as encompassing the individual cross-link sites (numbered from the 5'-end, with asterisks denoting sites previously reported): L1, 1864-67, 1876-78, 2119-33, 2163-72*, L2, 1819-20*; L3, 2832-34; L4, 320-25*; 613-17*; L5, 2307; L6, 2473-81*; L9, 1484-91; L11, 1060-62; L13, 547-50; L14, 1993-2002; L17, 1260-95; L18, 2307-20; L19, 1741-58; L21, 544-48*; 1198-1248; L23, 63-65, 137-41*; L24, 99-107*; L27, 2272-83, 2320-23*; 2332-37*; L28, 195-242, 368-424; L29, 101-02*; L30, 931-38; L32, 2878-90; L33, 2422-24. Cross-links to 5S RNA were observed with L5 (positions 34-41), and L18 (precise site not localised).

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Codon recognition in polypeptide chain termination: site directed crosslinking of termination codon to Escherichia coli release factor 2.

An RNA synthesized in vitro was positioned on the Escherichia coli ribosome at the P site with tRNAala, and with a termination codon, UAA, as the next codon in the A site. Such a complex bound stoichiometric amounts of release factor 2 (RF-2); a corresponding RNA with UAC in place of UAA was not a template for the factor. An RNA containing 4-thio-UAA in place of the UAA supported binding of RF-2, and this has allowed site-directed crosslinking from the first position of the termination codon to answer two long standing questions about the termination of protein biosynthesis, the position of the termination codon and its proximity to the release factor during codon recognition. An RF-2.mRNA crosslinked product was detected, indicating the release factor and the termination codon are in close physical contact during the codon recognition event of termination. The 4-thio-U crosslinked also to the ribosome but only to the 30S subunit, and the proteins and the rRNA site concerned were identified. RF-2 decreased significantly the crosslinking to the ribosomal components, but no new crosslink sites were found. If the stop codon was deliberately displaced from the decoding site by one codon's length then a different pattern of crosslinking in particular to the rRNA resulted. These observations are consistent with a model of codon recognition by RF-2 at the decoding site, without a major shift in position of the codon.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1990

The three-dimensional structure and function of Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA, as studied by cross-linking techniques.

A large number of intra-RNA and RNA-protein cross-link sites have been localized within the 23S RNA from E. coli 50 S ribosomal subunits. These sites, together with other data, are sufficient to constrain the secondary structure of the 23 S molecule into a compact three-dimensional shape. Some of the features of this structure are discussed, in particular, those relating to the orientation of tRNA on the 50 S subunit as studied by site-directed cross-linking techniques. A corresponding model for the 16S RNA within the 30 S subunit has already been described, and here a site-directed cross-linking approach is being used to determine the path followed through the subunit by messenger RNA.

Base Sequence↗