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Structural dynamics of ribosomal RNA during decoding on the ribosome.

Decoding is a multistep process by which the ribosome accurately selects aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) that matches the mRNA codon in the A site. The correct geometry of the codon-anticodon complex is monitored by the ribosome, resulting in conformational changes in the decoding center of the small (30S) ribosomal subunit by an induced-fit mechanism. The recognition of aa-tRNA is modulated by changes of the ribosome conformation in regions other than the decoding center that may either affect the architecture of the latter or alter the communication of the 30S subunit with the large (50S) subunit where the GTPase and peptidyl transferase centers are located. Correct codon-anticodon complex formation greatly accelerates the rates of GTP hydrolysis and peptide bond formation, indicating the importance of crosstalk between the subunits and the role of the 50S subunit in aa-tRNA selection. In the present review, recent results of the ribosome crystallography, cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM), genetics, rapid kinetics and biochemical approaches are reviewed which show that the dynamics of the structure of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) play a crucial role in decoding.

Anticodon↗

The 70S Escherichia coli ribosome at 23 A resolution: fitting the ribosomal RNA.

BACKGROUND: The ribosome--essential for protein synthesis in all organisms--has been an evasive target for structural studies. The best available structures for the 70S Escherichia coli ribosome or its 30S and 50S subunits are based on electron microscopical tilt experiments and are limited in resolution to 28-55 A. The angular reconstitution approach, which exploits the random orientations of particles within a vitreous ice matrix, can be used in conjunction with cryo-electron microscopy to yield a higher-resolution structure. RESULTS: Our 23 A resolution map of the 70S ribosome elucidates many structural details, such as an extensive system of channels within the 50S subunit and an intersubunit gap ideally shaped to accommodate two transfer RNA molecules. The resolution achieved is sufficient to allow the preliminary fitting of double-helical regions of an earlier three-dimensional ribosomal RNA model. CONCLUSIONS: Although we are still a long way from attaining an atomic-resolution structure of the ribosome, cryo-electron microscopy, in combination with angular reconstitution, is likely to yield three-dimensional maps with gradually increasing resolution. As exemplified by our current 23 A reconstruction, these maps will lead to progressive refinement of models of the ribosomal RNA.

Escherichia coli↗

Studies of the effects of ultraviolet radiation on the structural integrities of ribosomal RNA components of the Escherichia coli 50S ribosomal subunit.

The effects of 254-nm radiation on the structural integrities of free and 50S ribosome-bound 5S and 23S ribosomal ribonucleic acids (rRNA) have been elucidated. Irradiation of aqueous solutions of Escherichia coli 50S ribosomes with 253.7-nm radiation results in the formation of single-strand breaks in double-stranded regions of the 23S rRNA component, but not in rRNA chain scission, and destabilization of the secondary structure of the 23S rRNA toward denaturation. The minimum doses of 253.7-nm radiation required for the first detection of the two effects are 7 x 10(19) quanta for the production of single-strand breaks in double-stranded regions of the 23S rRNA, and less than 2.3 x 10(19) quanta for destabilization of the 23S rRNA secondary structure. Free 23S rRNA is resistant toward photoinduced chain breakage at doses of 253.7-nm radiation up to at least 2.3 x 10(20) and is much less sensitive toward destabilization of secondary structure than ribosome-bound 23S rRNA toward chain breakage, 50S ribosome-bound 5S rRNA is resistant toward chain breakage at doses of 253.7-nm radiation up to at least 2.3 x 10(20) quanta. Ribosome-bound 5S and 23S rRNA are also not photosensitive toward intermolecular 5S/23S rRNA crosslinkage.

Escherichia coli↗

Three tRNA binding sites in rabbit liver ribosomes and role of the intrinsic ATPase in 80S ribosomes from higher eukaryotes.

Three tRNA binding sites have been found in organisms of all domains (former kingdoms) with only one exception: Four binding sites have been reported for cytoplasmic 80S ribosomes from rabbit liver. Therefore, the issue was reconsidered, and the data revealed that rabbit liver ribosomes contain three tRNA binding sites, underlining the universal character of this ribosomal feature. Furthermore, a first analysis of the role of the ribosome intrinsic ATPase was performed. This ATPase is found in ribosomes of higher eukarya but not in lower eukarya such as yeast or ribosomes of the domains archea and bacteria. The results suggest that the intrinsic ATPase fulfills the same function as the essential third elongation factor EF-3, an ATPase in higher fungi (yeast etc.), that facilitates the release of the deacylated tRNA from the E site.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Phosphorylation of ribosomal protein P0 is not essential for ribosome function but can affect translation.

Protein P0, an essential component of the eukaryotic ribosomal stalk, is found phosphorylated in the ribosome. Substitution of serine 302 in the amino acid sequence of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae P0 by either aspartic acid or cysteine abolishes in vitro and in vivo phosphorylation of the protein. On the contrary, the replacement of this serine by a threonine results in an increase in the protein phosphorylation under both sets of conditions. Therefore, this serine residue, which is part of a consensus casein kinase II modification site, SDDD, seems to be the phosphorylation site in protein P0. The effect of the mutations on the protein activity has been tested in S. cerevisiae W303dGP0 and D67dGP0, both of which carry a genomic P0 gene under the control of the GAL1 promoter. Transformation of the mutated genes in S. cerevisiae W303dGP0 allows cell growth at 30 degreesC in glucose-to repress the wild-type P0 expression-at the same rate as controls, and the ribosomes contain a normal amount of the other stalk components. A similar absence of effect of the mutations on growth was found in strain D67dGP0, which has ribosomes deprived of the P1 and P2 proteins. Therefore, P0 phosphorylation is not a requirement for ribosome activity in standard growth conditions either in the presence or in the absence of the other stalk proteins. However, a phenotypic effect is detected in the case of strain D67 transformed with the overphosphorylated threonine containing P0, which contrary to the wild-type and the other mutated proteins is unable to support cell growth at 37 degreesC in the presence of either 0.3 M NaCl or 0.8 M sorbitol. In vitro polymerizing tests indicate that this effect is not due to the thermosensitivity of the mutated protein. The results indicate that although P0 phosphorylation is not required for the overall ribosome activity, it may affect the expression of specific proteins involved in metabolic processes such as osmoregulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Halobacterium cutirubrum ribosomes. Properties of the ribosomal proteins and ribonucleic acid.

1. The 30S ribosomal subunit of the extreme halophile Halobacterium cutirubrum is unstable and loses 75% of its ribosomal protein when the 70S ribosome is dissociated into the two subunits. A stable 30S subunit is obtained if the dissociation of the 70S particle is carried out in the presence of the soluble fraction. 2. A fractionation procedure was developed for the selective removal of groups of proteins from the 30S and 50S subunits. When the ribosomes, which are stable in 4m-K(+) and 0.1m-Mg(2+), were extracted with low-ionic-strength buffer 75-80% of the 30S proteins and 60-65% of the 50S proteins as well as the 5S rRNA were released. The proteins in this fraction are the most acidic of the H. cutirubrum ribosomal proteins. Further extraction with Li(+)-EDTA releases additional protein, leaving a core particle containing either 16S rRNA or 23S rRNA and about 5% of the total ribosomal protein. The amino acid composition, mobility on polyacrylamide gels at pH4.5 and 8.7, and the molecular-weight distribution of the various protein fractions were determined. 3. The s values of the rRNA are 5S, 16S and 23S. The C+G contents of the 16S and 23S rRNA were 56.1 and 58.8% respectively and these are higher than C+G contents of the corresponding Escherichia coli rRNA (53.8 and 54.1%).

Amino Acids↗

Proteomic identification of all plastid-specific ribosomal proteins in higher plant chloroplast 30S ribosomal subunit.

Six ribosomal proteins are specific to higher plant chloroplast ribosomes [Subramanian, A.R. (1993) Trends Biochem. Sci.18, 177-180]. Three of them have been fully characterized [Yamaguchi, K., von Knoblauch, K. & Subramanian, A. R. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 28455-28465; Yamaguchi, K. & Subramanian, A. R. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 28466-28482]. The remaining three plastid-specific ribosomal proteins (PSRPs), all on the small subunit, have now been characterized (2D PAGE, HPLC, N-terminal/internal peptide sequencing, electrospray ionization MS, cloning/ sequencing of precursor cDNAs). PSRP-3 exists in two forms (alpha/beta, N-terminus free and blocked by post-translational modification), whereas PSRP-2 and PSRP-4 appear, from MS data, to be unmodified. PSRP-2 contains two RNA-binding domains which occur in mRNA processing/stabilizing proteins (e.g. U1A snRNP, poly(A)-binding proteins), suggesting a possible role for it in the recruiting of stored chloroplast mRNAs for active protein synthesis. PSRP-3 is the higher plant orthologue of a hypothetical protein (ycf65 gene product), first reported in the chloroplast genome of a red alga. The ycf65 gene is absent from the chloroplast genomes of higher plants. Therefore, we suggest that Psrp-3/ycf65, encoding an evolutionarily conserved chloroplast ribosomal protein, represents an example of organelle-to-nucleus gene transfer in chloroplast evolution. PSRP-4 shows strong homology with Thx, a small basic ribosomal protein of Thermus thermophilus 30S subunit (with a specific structural role in the subunit crystallographic structure), but its orthologues are absent from Escherichia coli and the photosynthetic bacterium Synechocystis. We would therefore suggest that PSRP-4 is an example of gene capture (via horizontal gene transfer) during chloro-ribosome emergence. Orthologues of all six PSRPs are identifiable in the complete genome sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana and in the higher plant expressed sequence tag database. All six PSRPs are nucleus-encoded. The cytosolic precursors of PSRP-2, PSRP-3, and PSRP-4 have average targeting peptides (62, 58, and 54 residues long), and the mature proteins are of 196, 121, and 47 residues length (molar masses, 21.7, 13.8 and 5.2 kDa), respectively. Functions of the PSRPs as active participants in translational regulation, the key feature of chloroplast protein synthesis, are discussed and a model is proposed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ribosomal gene disruption in the extreme thermophile Thermus thermophilus HB8. Generation of a mutant lacking ribosomal protein S17.

S17 is a primary rRNA-binding protein which has been implicated in ribosome assembly and translational fidelity. We describe the generation and biochemical characterization of an S17 minus ribosomal mutant, a ribosomal protein-lacking mutant obtained in Thermus thermophilus HB8. The S17 mutant was obtained by insertional inactivation of the target gene with the kanamycin adenyl transferase (kat) gene, making use of a Thermus-Escherichia shuttle vector and the natural ability of Thermus to transform. In the final construct used to transform Thermus cells, the S17 coding region was replaced with the kat gene cloned in-frame with the first three amino acids of S17. Hence, in vivo transcription of the kat gene was under the control of the ribosomal operon promoter. As in Escherichia coli, the Thermus S17 mutant exhibited a temperature-sensitive phenotype. Two-dimensional PAGE, Western blot, and ELISA confirmed the absence of S17 from the mutant ribosomes. Sucrose-gradient profiles of mutant cells showed a clear separation and normal proportions of 50S and 30S subunits and a normal ratio between them. In addition, the S17 mutant showed the presence of a 20S peak representing assembly-defective particles. The successful re-incorporation of protein S17 into the mutant ribosomes was demonstrated when reconstitution with isolated S17 was performed at 60 degrees C.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Ribosome structure: localization of N6,N6-dimethyladenosine by electron microscopy of a ribosome-antibody complex.

Antibodies to the minor nucleoside N6,N6-dimethyladenosine have been used to map a unique location of the nucleoside in the small subunit of the Escherichia coli ribosome. Antibodies were induced in rabbits by a nucleoside-bovine albumin conjugate and shown to be highly specific for the dimethyladenosine hapten. The antibodies were shown to interact with 30S ribosomal subunits from strain PR7, but not with subunits from its mutant strain TPR201, which is resistant to kasugamycin and lacks the two successive residues of dimethyladenosine normally found near the 3'-end of E. coli 16S ribosomal RNA. Electron micrographs of strain PR7 subunits, crosslinked by single IgG molecules, show a single binding site on the surface of the ribosome. This binding site is consistent with observations relating the 3'-end of the ribosomal RNA, binding of initiation factor IF-3 and messenger RNA, and mapping of specific ribosomal proteins.

Adenosine↗

Interaction of Escherichia coli ribosomal protein S1 with ribosomes.

The binding affinity of Escherichia coli ribosomal protein S1 for 30S ribosomal particles has been determined by a sucrose gradient band sedimentation technique; the association constant (K) for the binding of one S1 protein per active 30S ribosomal subunit is approximately 2 X 10(8) M-1. The involvement of the two polynucleotide binding sites of S1 protein (site I binding single-stranded DNA or RNA, and site II binding single-stranded RNA only) in the S1--ribosomal interaction have been examined by competition experiments with polynucleotides of known affinity for the two sites. We find that site I does not contribute to the interaction; site II binding appears to provide a major part of the binding free energy, presumably by interaction of S1 with the 16S rRNA of the 30S particle. The remaining binding free energy is probably derived from the interaction of S1 protein with other proteins of the 30S subunit. The affinity of S1 for 70S ribosomes is about the same as that for the 30S subunit; the affinity of S1 for 50S subunits is much less. Binding affinities and stoichiometries of S1 protein with "inactive" 30S ribosomal subunits have also been examined.

Binding, Competitive↗

Specialized ribosome system: preferential translation of a single mRNA species by a subpopulation of mutated ribosomes in Escherichia coli.

In Escherichia coli, all mRNAs are translated by one pool of functionally identical ribosomes. Here, we describe a system in which a subpopulation of modified ribosomes are directed to a single mutated mRNA species. This was accomplished by changing the Shine-Dalgarno sequence that precedes the heterologous human growth hormone gene from 5' GGAGG to 5' CCTCC or 5' GTGTG. Translation of these modified mRNAs by wild-type ribosomes is very inefficient. When the anti-Shine-Dalgarno region (i.e., the region complementary to the Shine-Dalgarno sequence) at the 3' end of the gene encoding 16S rRNA (rrnB) was altered from 5' CCTCC to 5' GGAGG or 5' CACAC, thus restoring its potential to base-pair with the mutated human growth hormone mRNA, significant expression of this mRNA occurred. Growth hormone synthesis was dependent on induction of the mutated rrnB operon. Subsequently, these specialized ribosomes were made spectinomycin-resistant by the introduction of a C----U substitution at position 1192 of the 16S rRNA. Thus, host protein synthesis could be shut off by the addition of spectinomycin and the specificity and efficiency of the specialized ribosomes could be assessed. Since the specialized ribosomes represent a nonessential subpopulation in the cell, this system offers an approach to the study of mutations elsewhere in the 16S-rRNA gene that otherwise would be lethal to the cell.

Base Sequence↗

Structure and probable genetic location of a "ribosome modulation factor" associated with 100S ribosomes in stationary-phase Escherichia coli cells.

The decrease in overall translation activity occurring concomitantly with the transition from the exponential growth phase to the stationary phase of Escherichia coli cells was found to be accompanied by the appearance of 100S ribosomes (dimers of 70S ribosome monomers). Analysis of ribosomal proteins by the radical-free and highly reducing method of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis indicated that a protein, designated protein E, was exclusively associated with 100S ribosomes. From the results, we propose that protein E is a "ribosome modulation factor" (RMF), which associates with 70S ribosomes and converts them to a dimeric form. A homology search of the partial amino acid sequence of RMF using the DNA sequence data bases revealed that the rmf gene, which encodes RMF, is located next to the fabA gene at 21.8 min on the E. coli chromosome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ribosome crystallization in chicken embryos. I. Isolation, characterization, and in vitro activity of ribosome tetramers.

Isolated tetrameric particles (166S) derived from the crystalline lattices known to appear in hypothermic chicken embryos consist of mature 80S ribosomes which contain all species of ribosomal RNA and a complete set of ribosomal proteins. Ribosome tetramers are not a special type of polysomes since in solutions of high ionic strengths (500 mM KCl and 50 nM triethanolamine-HCl buffer) containing 5 mM MgCl(2) they dissociate into 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits, without the need of puromycin, and at a concentration of Mg(++) higher than 3 mM they are not disassembled by mild RNase treatment. Tetramers spontaneously disassemble into 80S monomers when the Mg(++) concentration is lowered to 1 mM at relatively low ionic strength. Tetramers failed to couple in vitro puromycin-(3)H into an acid-insoluble product, indicating the lack of nascent polypeptide chains. Although tetramers have no endogenous messenger RNA activity, they can be programmed in vitro with polyuridylic acid (poly U) to synthesize polyphenylalanine. All ribosomes within a tetramer can accept poly U, without the need of disassembly of the tetramers into monomers or subunits.

Age Factors↗

The ribosomal spacer in Xenopus laevis is transcribed as part of the primary ribosomal RNA.

S1 mapping of Xenopus laevis ribosomal RNA transcripts, both in oocyte microinjection experiments and in vivo, shows that all but 212 bp of the so-called "non-transcribed" spacer (NTS) of the ribosomal DNA repeat is transcribed as part of the primary ribosomal transcript. The 40S pre-ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) is therefore a processing intermediate. The primary ribosomal transcript co-terminates with the previously described spacer transcripts [Moss], at a site 213 bp upstream of the 40S pre-rRNA initiation site. This mode of transcription suggests a simple mechanism for the recently proposed phenomenon of "readthrough-enhancement", [Moss et al, Moss], where readthrough transcription from an upstream gene may enhance transcription of a gene immediately downstream in the tandem ribosomal repeat.

Animals↗

The presence of ribosomal glycoproteins. Agglutination of free and membrane-bound ribosomes from wheat germ by concanavalin A1.

Free and membrane-bound ribosomes prepared from wheat germ and extensively washed with 1% Triton X100-sodium deoxycholate, formed large aggregates in the presence of concanavalin A. The ribosomal aggregates were detected by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and immunoprecipitation. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of ribosomal proteins indicated that four ribosomal glycoproteins (MW about 14,000 to 24,000) were present in both free and membrane-bound ribosomes. However, three glycoproteins (MW about 25,000 to 15,000) appear to be underglycosylated or lacking in free ribosomes.

Cell Membrane↗

Acidic ribosomal proteins from eukaryotic cells. Effect on ribosomal functions.

Precipitation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ribosomes by ethanol under experimental conditions that do not release the ribosomal proteins can affect the activity of the particles. In the presence of 0.4 M NH4Cl and 50% ethanol only the most acidic proteins from yeast and rat liver ribosomes are released. At 1 M NH4Cl two more non-acidic proteins are lost from the ribosomes. The release of the acidic proteins causes a small inactivation of the polymerizing activity of the particles, additional to that caused by the precipitation itself. The elongation-factor-2-dependent GTP hydrolysis of the ribosomes is, however, more affected by the loss of acidic proteins. These proteins can stimulate the GTPase but not the polymerising activity when added back to the treated particles. Eukaryotic proteins cannot be substituted for bacterial acidic proteins L7 and L12. We have not detected immunological cross-reaction between acidic proteins from Escherichia coli and those from yeast, Artemia salina and rat liver or between acidic proteins from these eukaryotic ribosomes among themselves.

GTP Phosphohydrolase-Linked Elongation Factors↗

Chemical modification of ribosomes with dimethyl sulfate: a probe to the structural organization of ribosomal proteins and RNA.

Ribosomal proteins from [14-C]dimethyl sulfate treated with 30S and 50S subunits of Escherichia coli ribosomes were separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the degree of methylation of each protein was determined. Comparison of the results from this relatively non-specific chemical modification procedure with results from the milerd lysine-specific reductive alkylation procedure reported previously (Moore, G. & Crichton, R.R. (1974) Biochem. J. 143, 607-612) has permitted a topographical classification of ribosomal proteins in terms of 'degree of exposure' in the 30S and 50S subunits. The reaction of dimethyl sulfate with ribosomal RNA, both in intact subunits and after isolation from the subunits, has indicated that approximately half of the RNA in 30S and 50S subunits is exposed on the surface of the ribonucleoprotein complexes, and that no large sections (extended sequences) of 16S RNA are concealed in the 30S subunit. It is proposed that modification of ribosomes with dimethyl sulfate is a potentially useful technique for probing exposed and hidden regions and also exposed single-stranded regions of RNA in ribosomes.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Delta Lys120, a mutation which destabilizes the ribosome-binding domain of ribosomal protein L7/L12.

Five-residue-long deletions centered on Ala63, Ala75, and Glu118 of ribosomal protein L7/L12 gave low mutant yields (5% or less) when the mutant genes were cloned in phage M13mp18 and controlled by the L10 promotor. Deletions of Glu118-Lys120 or Lys120 (the COOH-terminus of L7/L12) gave higher mutant yields, up to 50% with L7/L12 delta Lys120. L7/L12 delta Lys120 was not preferentially found in the S100 and not preferentially removed by LiCl washing, but was preferentially extracted from 70S ribosomes in the presence of 28-35% ethanol in 0.25-0.5 M NH4Cl. It follows that delta Lys120 destabilizes the ribosome-binding domain of ribosomal protein L7/L12 in an ethanol-containing solvent, which raises the question whether Lys120 is part of the ribosome-binding domain of L7/L12 during some step of protein synthesis or whether it is essential to preserve the conformation of the physiological ribosome-binding domain under structurally stressful conditions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗