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Effect of polyamines on isoleucyl-tRNA formation by rat-liver isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase.

The effect of polyamines on rat-liver isoelucyl-tRNA formation was studied using isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase purified by column chromatography successively on Sephadex G-200, DEAE-Sephadex A-25, and tRNA-Sepharose 4B. In the presence of 50 mMK+, isoleucyl-tRNA formation was inhibited markedly by 1.5 mM or higher concentrations of Mg2+. However, the addition of spermine to the reaction mixture prevented the inhibitory effect of Mg2+. In the presence of 200 mMK+, the addition of spermine to the reaction mixture stimulated isoleucyl-tRNA formation in the presence of Mg2+ concentrations from 0 to 5 mM. Although the effective concentration was different, spermidine exhibited a similar stimulative effect. The effective concentration of spermine required for stimulation was higher when larger amounts of tRNA were used. The stimulatory effect of isoleucyl-tRNA formation by polyamines was shown to reflect on polypeptide synthesis. When formaldehyde-treated poly(A,U) was used as messenger RNA, polypeptide synthesis from amino acids was stimulated by polyamines, but that from aminoacyl-tRNAs was not stimulated by polyamines.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗

Methionyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli. Inactivation and labeling by periodate-treated initiator tRNA.

Both the aminoacylation and isotopic ATP-PPi exchange activities of native and trypsin-modified methionyl-tRNA synthetases from Escherichia coli are specifically inactivated by incubation in the presence of periodate-treated initiator tRNA Met. The inactivation proceeds through the formation of a reversible Schiff's base between the epsilon-amino group of a lysine within the catalytic center of the enzyme and the 2',3'-aldehyde groups created at the 3'-terminal ribose of tRNA. The Schiff's base may be stabilized by reduction with sodium borohydride. Intact tRNA Met f competes with the inactivation by its dialdehyde. It has been verified in the case of the modified enzyme that the protection is afforded according to an equilibrium constant identical to that for tRNA Met f binding at the active site of the enzyme. Finally it is shown that the incorporation of one molecule of the dialdehyde of [14C]tRNA completely destroys the activity of the monomeric trypsin-modified methionyl-tRNA synthetase.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗

Purification and characterization of lysyl-tRNA synthetase after dissociation of the particulate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from rat liver.

The major aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex (the 24 S complex) isolated from rat liver, which contains lysyl-, leucyl-, and arginyl-tRNA synthetase activities, is dissociated into fully active free aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases by column chromatography on diaminooctyl-Sepharose. During the hydrophobic interaction chromatography, more than a quantitative yield of the lysyl-tRNA synthetase activity is obtained. The free lysyl-tRNA synthetase, dissociated from the synthetase complex, is purified about 2,000-fold with a 13% yield by conventional column chromatography. Lysyl-tRNA synthetase is also purified from the 24 S synthetase complex by affinity column chromatography on lysyl-diaminohexyl-Sepharose. Free lysyl-tRNA synthetase as dissociated from the synthetase complex, is evidently a dimeric enzyme with a subunit molecular weight of 66,000 +/- 3,000, as determined by gel electrophoresis, sucrose gradient centrifugation and gel filtration.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗

Homology of yeast mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA synthetase and isoleucyl- and methionyl-tRNA synthetases of Escherichia coli.

Respiratory deficient mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae previously assigned to complementation group G59 are pleiotropically deficient in respiratory chain components and in mitochondrial ATPase. This phenotype has been shown to be a consequence of mutations in a nuclear gene coding for mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA synthetase. The structural gene (MSL1) coding for the mitochondrial enzyme has been cloned by transformation of two different G59 mutants with genomic libraries of wild type yeast nuclear DNA. The cloned gene has been sequenced and shown to code for a protein of 894 residues with a molecular weight of 101,936. The amino-terminal sequence (30-40 residues) has a large percentage of basic and hydroxylated residues suggestive of a mitochondrial import signal. The cloned MSL1 gene was used to construct a strain in which 1 kb of the coding sequence was deleted and substituted with the yeast LEU2 gene. Mitochondrial extracts obtained from the mutant carrying the disrupted MSL1::LEU2 allele did not catalyze acylation of mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA even though other tRNAs were normally charged. These results confirmed the correct identification of MSL1 as the structural gene for mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA synthetase. Mutations in MSL1 affect the ability of yeast to grow on nonfermentable substrates but are not lethal indicating that the cytoplasmic leucyl-tRNA synthetase is encoded by a different gene. The primary sequence of yeast mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA synthetase has been compared to other bacterial and eukaryotic synthetases. Significant homology has been found between the yeast enzyme and the methionyl- and isoleucyl-tRNA synthetases of Escherichia coli. The most striking primary sequence homology occurs in the amino-terminal regions of the three proteins encompassing some 150 residues. Several smaller domains in the more internal regions of the polypeptide chains, however, also exhibit homology. These observations have been interpreted to indicate that the three synthetases may represent a related subset of enzymes originating from a common ancestral gene.

Acylation↗

[Comparative study of localization of tryptophanyl-tRNA-synthetase and components of high molecular weight aminoacyl-tRNA-synthetase complex in animal cells].

A comparative study on the localization of cytosolic Trp-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS), aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases associated in a multienzyme complex (Glu-tRNA synthetase (GluRS), and Arg-tRNA synthetase (ArgRS)) and polypeptides p37 and p43 from the multienzyme complex was carried out on ultrathin sections of cultured rabbit cells RK-1 by means of immunogold technique. It is shown that GluRS, ArgRS, and polypeptide p43 have approximately the same distribution in the cell as TrpRS. The data obtained evidences in favour of a multienzyme structure of most (or, may be all) aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in intact cells. A statistical analysis of enzyme distribution in different cell organelles showed nonrandom, compartmentalized distribution of studied synthetases in the mammalian cell. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases were found in the cell nucleus in the vicinity of interchromatin granules and in the regions of diffused chromatin. This fact points to a role which these proteins may play in active chromatin functions (transcription, processing, transfer of gene products, etc.) and needs special attention. Detection of ArgRS and GluRS in the nucleus allows one to suggest that either multienzyme synthetase complexes are present not only in the cytoplasm, but also in the nucleus, or these enzymes can dissociate from the complex and pass to the nucleus as individual proteins.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗

Recognition of tRNA(Gly) by three widely diverged glycyl-tRNA synthetases.

Glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) is an unusual aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase because it varies in its quarternary structure between organisms; Escherichia coli GlyRS is an alpha2beta2 tetramer, whereas those of Thermus thermophilus and yeast are alpha2 dimers. In contrast, the tRNA(Gly) sequence is virtually identical in E. coli and T. thermophilus but very different in yeast. In this study, we examined the molecular recognition of tRNA(Gly) by three widely diverged GlyRSs using in vitro tRNA transcripts. Mutation studies showed that the discriminator base at position 73, the second base-pair, C2 x G71, in the acceptor stem, and the anticodon nucleotides, C35 and C36, contribute to the specific aminoacylation of all three GlyRSs, the discriminator base differing between prokaryotes (U73) and eukaryotes (A73). However, we found differences between yeast and two bacteria around the second base-pair in the acceptor stem. The first base-pair, G1 x C72, is important for glycylation in E. coli and T. thermophilus, whereas the third base-pair, G3 x C70, is important for glycylation in yeast. These findings indicate that despite such large differences of the two prokaryotic GlyRSs, tRNA(Gly) identity has been essentially conserved in prokaryotes, and that there are also differences in the acceptor stem recognition between prokaryotes and yeast. The clear separation between prokaryotes and yeast is retained in the identity element location, whereas the apparent diversity of the two prokaryotic enzymes does not reflect on the tRNA recognition.

Acylation↗

Stabilization of the transition state for the transfer of tyrosine to tRNA(Tyr) by tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase.

Aminoacylation of tRNA(Tyr) involves two steps: (1) tyrosine activation to form the tyrosyl-adenylate intermediate; and (2) transfer of tyrosine from the tyrosyl-adenylate intermediate to tRNA(Tyr). In Bacillus stearothermophilus tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, Asp78, Tyr169, and Gln173 have been shown to form hydrogen bonds with the alpha-ammonium group of the tyrosine substrate during the first step of the aminoacylation reaction. Asp194 and Gln195 stabilize the transition state complex for the first step of the reaction by hydrogen bonding with the 2'-hydroxyl group of AMP and the carboxylate oxygen atom of tyrosine, respectively. Here, the roles that Asp78, Tyr169, Gln173, Asp194, and Gln195 play in catalysis of the second step of the reaction are investigated. Pre-steady-state kinetic analyses of alanine variants at each of these positions shows that while the replacement of Gln173 by alanine does not affect the initial binding of the tRNA(Tyr) substrate, it destabilizes the transition state complex for the second step of the reaction by 2.3 kcal/mol. None of the other alanine substitutions affects either the initial binding of the tRNA(Tyr) substrate or the stability of the transition state for the second step of the aminoacylation reaction. Taken together, the results presented here and the accompanying paper are consistent with a concerted reaction mechanism for the transfer of tyrosine to tRNA(Tyr), and suggest that catalysis of the second step of tRNA(Tyr) aminoacylation involves stabilization of a transition state in which the scissile acylphosphate bond of the tyrosyl-adenylate species is strained. Cleavage of the scissile bond on the breakdown of the transition state alleviates this strain.

Acylation↗

Enzymatic formation of N2,N2-dimethylguanosine in eukaryotic tRNA: importance of the tRNA architecture.

In eukaryotic tRNA, guanosine at position 26 in the junction between the D-stem and the anticodon stem is mostly modified to N2,N2-dimethylguanosine (m2(2)G26). Here we review the available information on the enzyme catalyzing the formation of this modified nucleoside, the SAM-dependent tRNA (m2(2)G26)-methyltransferase, and our attemps to identify the parameters in tRNA needed for efficient enzymatic dimethylation of guanosine-26. The required identity elements in yeast tRNA for dimethylation under in vitro conditions by the yeast tRNA(m2(2)G26)-methyltransferase (the TRM1 gene product) are comprised of two G-C base pairs at positions G10-C25 and C11-G24 in the D-stem together with a variable loop of at least five nucleotides. These positive determinants do not seem to act via base specific interactions with the methyltransferase; they instead ensure that G26 is presented to the enzyme in a favorable orientation, within the central 3D-core of the tRNA molecule. The anticodon stem and loop is not involved in such an interaction with the enzyme. In a heterologous in vivo system, consisting of yeast tRNAs microinjected into Xenopus laevis oocytes, the requirements for modification of G26 are less stringent than in the yeast homologous in vitro system. Indeed, G26 in several microinjected tRNAs becomes monomethylated, while in yeast extracts it stays unmethylated, even after extensive incubation. Thus either the X laevis tRNA(m2(2)G26)-methyltransferase has a more relaxed specificity than its yeast homolog, or there exist two distinct G26-methylating activities, one for G26-monomethylation, and one for dimethylation of G26.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Guanosine↗

Escherichia coli threonyl-tRNA synthetase and tRNA(Thr) modulate the binding of the ribosome to the translational initiation site of the thrS mRNA.

Escherichia coli threonyl-tRNA synthetase binds to the leader region of its own mRNA at two major sites: the first shares some analogy with the anticodon arm of several tRNA(Thr) isoacceptors and the second corresponds to a stable stem-loop structure upstream from the first one. The binding of the enzyme to its mRNA target site represses its translation by preventing the ribosome from binding to its attachment site. The enzyme is still able to bind to derepressed mRNA mutants resulting from single substitutions in the anticodon-like arm. This binding is restricted to the stem-loop structure of the second site. However, the interaction of the enzyme with this site fails to occlude ribosome binding. tRNA(Thr) is able to displace the wild-type mRNA from the enzyme at both sites and suppresses the inhibitory effect of the synthetase on the formation of the translational initiation complex. Our results show that tRNA(Thr) acts as an antirepressor on the synthesis of its cognate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. This repression/derepression double control allows precise adjustment of the rate of synthesis of threonyl-tRNA synthetase to the tRNA level in the cell.

Anticodon↗

Isolation of novel tRNA(Ala) mutants by library selection in a tRNA(Ala) knockout strain.

The relationship between tRNA structure and function has been widely investigated by site-directed mutagenesis. This method has been a very useful tool to reveal the critical bases in tRNAs that are important for recognition and aminoacylation, but has been limited by the large number of possible base combinations in tRNA molecules. We have devised a new method that uses tRNA knockout cells for selection of functional tRNAs from a mutant tRNA gene library to overcome this limitation. To explore the mechanism of tRNA(Ala) recognition, the bases of the acceptor-stem region were randomized and active mutants were selected in a tRNA(Ala) knockout strain. Mutants of tRNA(Ala) having diverse sequence combinations in the acceptor-stem region and a broad range of functional activity to support knockout cell growth were isolated. The mutant tRNAs selected by the method included molecules containing novel base substitutions as well as extensively altered base combinations that would not be readily generated by rationally designed site-directed mutagenesis. Our results emphasize the importance of the acceptor stem as a structural unit in which some nucleotides may carry more weight than others, but in summation every nucleotide contributes to the interaction with the enzyme.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗

tRNA-dependent active site assembly in a class I aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase.

The crystal structure of ligand-free E. coli glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (GlnRS) at 2.4 A resolution shows that substrate binding is essential to construction of a catalytically proficient active site. tRNA binding generates structural changes throughout the enzyme, repositioning key active site peptides that bind glutamine and ATP. The structure gives insight into longstanding questions regarding the tRNA dependence of glutaminyl adenylate formation, the coupling of amino acid and tRNA selectivities, and the roles of specific pathways for transmission of tRNA binding signals to the active site. Comparative analysis of the unliganded and tRNA-bound structures shows, in detail, how flexibility is built into the enzyme architecture and suggests that the induced-fit transitions are a key underlying determinant of both amino acid and tRNA specificity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mutant aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase that compensates for a mutation in the major identity determinant of its tRNA.

A single G3.U70 base pair in the acceptor helix is the major determinant for the identity of alanine transfer RNAs (Hou & Schimmel, 1988). Introduction of this base pair into foreign tRNA sequences confers alanine acceptance on them. Moreover, small RNA helices with as few as seven base pairs can be aminoacylated with alanine, provided that they encode the critical base pair (Francklyn & Schimmel, 1989). Alteration of G3.U70 to G3.C70 abolishes aminoacylation with alanine in vivo and in vitro. We describe here the mutagenesis and selection of a single point mutation in Escherichia coli Ala-tRNA synthetase that compensates for a G3.C70 mutation in tRNAAla. The mutation maps to a region previously implicated as proximal to the acceptor end of the bound tRNA. In contrast to the wild-type enzyme, the mutant charges small RNA helices that encode a G3.C70 base pair. However, the mutant enzyme retains specificity for alanine tRNA and can serve as the sole source of Ala-tRNA synthetase in vivo. The results demonstrate the capacity of an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase to compensate through a single amino acid substitution for mutations in the major determinant of its cognate tRNA.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗

The T-arm of tRNA is a substrate for tRNA (m5U54)-methyltransferase.

Fragments of Escherichia coli FUra-tRNA(1Val) as small as 15 nucleotides form covalent complexes with tRNA (m5U54)-methyltransferase (RUMT). The sequence essential for binding includes position 52 of the T-stem and the T-loop and extends toward the 3' acceptor end of FUra-tRNA. The in vitro synthesized 17mer T-arm of E. coli tRNA(1Val), composed of the seven-base T-loop and 5-base-pair stem, is a good substrate for RUMT. The Km is decreased 5-fold and kcat is decreased 2-fold compared to the entire tRNA. The T-arm structure could be further reduced to an 11mer containing the loop and two base pairs and still retain activity; the Km was similar to that of the 17mer T-arm, whereas kcat was decreased an additional 20-fold. The data indicate that the primary specificity determinants for the RUMT-tRNA interaction are contained within the primary and secondary structure of the T-arm of tRNA.

Base Sequence↗

Fidelity in the aminoacylation of tRNA(Val) with hydroxy analogues of valine, leucine, and isoleucine by valyl-tRNA synthetases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli.

Several analogues of valine, leucine, and isoleucine carrying hydroxyl groups in the gamma- or delta-position have been tested in the aminoacylation of tRNA by valyl-tRNA synthetases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli. Results of the ATP/PPi exchange and of the aminoacylation reactions indicate that the amino acid analogues not only can form the aminoacyl adenylate intermediate but are also transferred to tRNA. However, the fact that the reaction consumes an excess of ATP indicates that the misactivated amino acid analogue is hydrolytically removed. Thus, valyl-tRNA synthetase from S. cerevisiae shows a high fidelity in forming valyl-tRNA. Although the much bulkier amino acid analogues allo- and iso-gamma-hydroxyvaline and allo- and iso-gamma-hydroxyisoleucine are initially charged to tRNA, the misaminoacylated tRNA(Val) is enzymatically deacylated. This cleavage reaction is mediated by the hydroxyl groups of the amino acid analogues which are converted into the corresponding lactones.

Amino Acids↗

Crucial role of conserved lysine 277 in the fidelity of tRNA aminoacylation by Escherichia coli valyl-tRNA synthetase.

Valyl-tRNA synthetase (ValRS) from Escherichia coli undergoes covalent valylation by a donor valyl adenylate synthesized by the enzyme itself. ValRS could also be modified, although to a lesser extent, by the noncognate isosteric substrate L-threonine from a donor threonyl adenylate synthesized by the synthetase itself, or by the nonsubstrate methionine from methionyl adenylate produced by catalytic amounts of methionyl-tRNA synthetase. MALDI mass spectrometry analysis designated lysines 154, 162, 170, 533, 554, 593, 894, 930, and 940 of ValRS as the target residues for the attachment of valine. Following autothreonylation, lysines 162, 170, 178, 277, 291, 554, 580, 593, 861, 894, and 930 were found to be modified. Finally, L-Met-labeled residues were lysines 118, 162, 170, 178, 277, and 938. Alignment of the available ValRS amino acid sequences showed that lysines 277 and 554 are strictly conserved (with the exception concerning replacement of Lys-277 with a methionine or a tyrosine in archaebacteria), suggesting that these residues might be functionally significant. Indeed, lysine 554 of ValRS is the first lysine of the Lys-Met-Ser-Lys-Ser signature of the catalytic site of class I aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Lys-277 which is labeled by L-threonine or L-methionine, and not by L-valine, is located at or near the editing site, in the three-dimensional structure of ValRS. The role of lysine 277 was evaluated by site-directed mutagenesis. The Lys277Ala mutant (K277A) exhibited a posttransfer Thr-tRNA(Val) editing rate that was significantly lower than that observed for the wild-type enzyme. In addition, the K277A substitution altered amino acid discrimination in the editing site, resulting in hydrolysis of the correctly charged cognate Val-tRNA(Val). Finally, significant amounts of mischarged Thr-tRNA(Val) were produced by the K277A mutant, and not by wild-type ValRS. Altogether, our results designate Lys-277 as a likely candidate for nucleophilic attack of misacylated tRNA in the editing site of ValRS.

Acylation↗

Recognition of the T-arm of tRNA by tRNA (m5U54)-methyltransferase is not sequence specific.

tRNA (m5U54)-methyltransferase (RUMT) catalyzes the methylation of U54 of tRNAs. In contrast to enzymes which recognize a particular tRNA, RUMT recognizes features common to all tRNAs. We have shown that these features reside in the T-arm of tRNA and constructed a minimal consensus sequence for RUMT recognition and catalysis (Gu et al., 1991b). Here, we have mutated each conserved T-loop residue and conserved T-stem base pair to bases or base pairs which are not observed in Escherichia coli tRNA. The substrate specificity of RUMT for 30 in vitro synthesized T-arm mutants of tRNAPhe and 37 mutants of the 17-mer analog of the T-arm derived from tRNA1Val was investigated. A 2-5 base pair stem was essential for recognition of the T-arm by RUMT, but the base composition of the stem was unimportant. The 7-base size of the T-loop maintained by the stem was essential for RUMT recognition. For tRNA, most base substitutions in the 7-base loop did not eliminate RUMT activity, except for any mutation of the methyl acceptor U54 and the C56G mutation. The effect of base and base pair mutations on Kcat or the rate of methylation by RUMT was more striking than the effect on the Kd for binding to RUMT. In comparison with mutations in the T-loop of intact tRNA, base mutation in the T-loop of the 17-mer T-arm had a more deleterious effect on binding and methylation. Surprisingly, recognition of tRNA by RUMT appears to reside in the three-dimensional structure of the seven-member T-loop rather than in its primary structure.

Base Sequence↗

Two essential regions for tRNA recognition in Bacillus subtilis tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase.

Bacillus subtilis tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) is a homodimeric enzyme. A model for its ability to recognize tRNA(Trp) in B. subtilis was proposed by using computer modelling. This was based on the the fact that there is high homology among bacterial TrpRSs [Chen, Jiang, Jin and Wang (2001) Acta Biochim. Biophys. Sinica 33, 687-690], in which the enzyme dimer binds to two tRNA(Trp) molecules and each tRNA(Trp) is bound to two different domains across the surface of the dimer. In this work, three deletion mutants of TrpRS were constructed and their products were purified. After determining the kinetic parameters of the mutants in the two-step reaction, it was found that the relative activities of wild-type and mutant enzymes had changed little in the ATP-pyrophosphate exchange reaction. In contrast, the activities of three mutant proteins were much decreased in the tRNA(Trp) aminoacylation assay. Deletion of residues 108-122 and residues 234-238 caused 44% and 80% reductions in the activity, respectively. When both regions were deleted, the aminoacylation activity of the TrpRS mutant was too low to be determined using tRNA(Trp) at the limiting concentration. Gel-retardation assays showed that the acceptor minihelix and the anticodon microhelix were recognized by the domains of TrpRS spanning residues 108-122 and residues 234-238 respectively. In addition, the deletion of amino acids 234-238 affected the normal induced expression of TrpRS at 37 degrees C. In conclusion, residues 108-122 and 234-238 were found essential for tRNA(Trp) recognition.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Effects of liver regeneration on tRNA contents and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activities and sedimentation patterns.

The tRNA content and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases of regenerating liver in the phase of rapid growth were compared with those of livers from both intact and sham-operated rats. At 48 h after hepatectomy, the amount of active tRNA (called 'total acceptor capacity') is significantly higher in regenerating liver than in control livers, owing to a general, possibly not uniform, increase in the various tRNA families, which suggests that it may contribute to the increased protein synthesis and to decreased protein degradation as well. The activities of most, but not of all, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in cell sap of regenerating liver tend to be greater than normal. Increased activity of histidyl-tRNA synthetase fits in with the possibility that the mechanisms that control the rate of protein degradation through aminoacylation of tRNAHis in cultured cells [Scornik (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 882-886] also operate in the liver and play a role in regeneration. Sedimentation analysis of cell sap in sucrose density gradients shows a shift of prolyl-tRNA synthetase activity toward the high-Mr form in regenerating liver. This change might be related to the positive protein balance and to growth in vivo, since it is also observed in the anaplastic Yoshida ascites hepatoma AH 130.

Amino Acids↗