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Ionic interactions between PRNA and P protein in Bacillus subtilis RNase P characterized using a magnetocapture-based assay.

Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is a ribonucleoprotein complex that catalyzes the cleavage of the 5' end of precursor tRNA. To characterize the interface between the Bacillus subtilis RNA (PRNA) and protein (P protein) components, the intraholoenzyme KD is determined as a function of ionic strength using a magnetocapture-based assay. Three distinct phases are evident. At low ionic strength, the affinity of PRNA for P protein is enhanced as the ionic strength increases mainly due to stabilization of the PRNA structure by cations. Lithium substitution in lieu of potassium enhances the affinity at low ionic strength, whereas the addition of ATP, known to stabilize the structure of P protein, does not affect the affinity. At high ionic strength, the observed affinity decreases as the ionic strength increases, consistent with disruption of ionic interactions. These data indicate that three to four ions are released on formation of holoenzyme, reflecting the number of ion pairs that occur between the P protein and PRNA. At moderate ionic strength, the two effects balance so that the apparent KD is not dependent on the ionic strength. The KD between the catalytic domain (C domain) and P protein has a similar triphasic dependence on ionic strength. Furthermore, the intraholoenzyme KD is identical to or tighter than that of full-length PRNA, demonstrating that the P protein binds solely to the C domain. Finally, pre-tRNAasp (but not tRNAasp) stabilizes the PRNA*P protein complex, as predicted by the direct interaction between the P protein and pre-tRNA leader.

Bacillus subtilis↗

HIV-1 A-rich RNA loop mimics the tRNA anticodon structure.

Interaction of HIV-1 genomic RNA and human tRNA(Lys)3 initiates viral reverse transcription. An adenosine-rich (A-rich) loop in HIV RNA mediates complex formation between tRNA and viral RNA. We have determined the structure of an A-rich loop oligonucleotide using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The loop structure is stabilized by a noncanonical G-A pair and a U-turn motif, which leads to stacking of the conserved adenosines. The structure has similarity to the tRNA anticodon structure, and suggests possible mechanisms for its role in initiation of reverse transcription.

Anticodon↗

Crystal structures of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases from Archaea.

Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) catalyzes the tyrosylation of tRNA(Tyr) in a two-step reaction. TyrRS has the "HIGH" and "KMSKS" motifs, which play essential roles in the formation of the tyrosyl-adenylate from tyrosine and ATP. Here, we determined the crystal structures of Archaeoglobus fulgidus and Pyrococcus horikoshii TyrRSs in the l-tyrosine-bound form at 1.8A and 2.2A resolutions, respectively, and that of Aeropyrum pernix TyrRS in the substrate-free form at 2.2 A. The conformation of the KMSKS motif differs among the three TyrRSs. In the A.pernix TyrRS, the KMSKS loop conformation corresponds to the ATP-bound "closed" form. In contrast, the KMSKS loop of the P.horikoshii TyrRS forms a novel 3(10) helix, which appears to correspond to the "semi-closed" form. This conformation enlarges the entrance to the tyrosine-binding pocket, which facilitates the pyrophosphate ion release after the tyrosyl-adenylate formation, and probably is involved in the initial tRNA binding. The KMSSS loop of the A.fulgidus TyrRS is somewhat farther from the active site and is stabilized by hydrogen bonds. Based on the three structures, possible structural changes of the KMSKS motif during the tyrosine activation reaction are discussed. We suggest that the insertion sequence just before the KMSKS motif, which exists in some archaeal species, enhances the binding affinity of the TyrRS for its cognate tRNA. In addition, a non-proline cis peptide bond, which is involved in the tRNA binding, is conserved among the archaeal TyrRSs.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Ribosomal protein S15 from Escherichia coli modulates its own translation by trapping the ribosome on the mRNA initiation loading site.

From genetic and biochemical evidence, we previously proposed that S15 inhibits its own translation by binding to its mRNA in a region overlapping the ribosome loading site. This binding was postulated to stabilize a pseudoknot structure that exists in equilibrium with two stem-loops. Here, we use "toeprint" experiments with Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase to analyze the effect of S15 on the formation of the ternary mRNA-30S-tRNA(fMet) complex. We show that the binding of the 30S subunit on the mRNA stops reverse transcriptase near position +10, corresponding to the 3' terminus of the pseudoknot, most likely by stabilizing the pseudoknot conformation. Furthermore, S15 is found to stabilize the binary 30S-mRNA complex. When the ternary 30S-mRNA-tRNA(fMet) complex is formed, a toeprint is observed at position +17. This toeprint progressively disappears when the ternary complex is formed in the presence of increasing concentrations of S15, while a shift from position +17 to position +10 is observed. Beside, RNase T1 footprinting experiments reveal the simultaneous binding of S15 and 30S subunit on the mRNA. Otherwise, we show by filter binding assays that initiator tRNA remains bound to the 30S subunit even in the presence of S15. Our results indicate that S15 prevents the formation of a functional ternary 30S-mRNA-tRNA(fMet) complex, the ribosome being trapped in a preternary 30S-mRNA-tRNA(fMet) complex.

Base Sequence↗

Striking effects of coupling mutations in the acceptor stem on recognition of tRNAs by Escherichia coli Met-tRNA synthetase and Met-tRNA transformylase.

We measured kinetic parameters in vitro and directly analyzed aminoacylation and formylation levels in vivo to study recognition of Escherichia coli initiator tRNA mutants by E. coli Met-tRNA synthetase and Met-tRNA transformylase. We show that, in addition to the anticodon sequence, mutations in the "discriminator" base A73 also affect aminoacylation. An A73----U change has a small effect, but a change to G73 or C73 significantly lowers Vmax/Kappm for in vitro aminoacylation and leads to appreciable accumulation of uncharged tRNA in vivo. Significantly, coupling of the G73 mutation with G72, a neighboring-base mutation, results in a tRNA essentially uncharged in vivo. Coupling of C73 and U73 mutations with G72 does not have such an effect. Elements crucial for Met-tRNA transformylase recognition of tRNAs are located at the end of the acceptor stem. These elements include a weak base pair or a mismatch between nucleotides (nt) 1 and 72 and base pairs 2.71 and 3.70. The natures of nt 1 and 72 are less important than the fact that they do not form a strong Watson-Crick base pair. Interestingly, the negative effect of a C.G base pair between nt 1 and 72 is suppressed by mutation of the neighboring nucleotide A73 to either C73 or U73. The presence of C73 or U73 could destabilize the C1.G72 base pair at the end of an RNA helix. Thus, in some tRNAs, the discriminator base could affect stability of the base pair between nt 1 and 72 and thereby the structure of tRNA at the end of the acceptor stem.

Acyltransferases↗

Four new mitochondrial genomes and the increased stability of evolutionary trees of mammals from improved taxon sampling.

We have sequenced four new mitochondrial genomes to improve the stability of the tree for placental mammals; they are two insectivores (a gymnure, Echinosorex gymnurus and Formosan shrew Soriculus fumidus); a Formosan lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus monoceros); and the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri). A revision to the hedgehog sequence (Erinaceus europaeus) is also reported. All five are from the Laurasiatheria grouping of eutherian mammals. On this new data set there is a strong tendency for the hedgehog and its relative, the gymnure, to join with the other Laurasiatherian insectivores (mole and shrews). To quantify the stability of trees from this data we define, based on nuclear sequences, a major four-way split in Laurasiatherians. This ([Xenarthra, Afrotheria], [Laurasiatheria, Supraprimates]) split is also found from mitochondrial genomes using either protein-coding or RNA (rRNA and tRNA) data sets. The high similarity of the mitochondrial and nuclear-derived trees allows a quantitative estimate of the stability of trees from independent data sets, as detected from a triplet Markov analysis. There are significant changes in the mutational processes within placental mammals that are ignored by current tree programs. On the basis of our quantitative results, we expect the evolutionary tree for mammals to be resolved quickly, and this will allow other problems to be solved.

Animals↗

Biosynthesis and characterization of 4-fluorotryptophan-labeled Escherichia coli arginyl-tRNA synthetase.

Escherichia coli 4-fluorotryptophan-substituted arginyl-tRNA synthetase was biosynthetically prepared and purified from a tryptophan auxotroph which could overproduce this enzyme. A method was developed to separate 4-fluorotryptophan from tryptophan and to determine accurately their contents in the 4-fluorotryptophan-containing proteins. It was confirmed that more than 95% of the tryptophan residues in the purified 4-fluorotryptophan-substituted arginyl-tRNA synthetase were replaced by 4-fluorotryptophan. Studies on the effect of the 4-fluorotryptophan replacement on properties of the enzyme showed that, when compared with the native enzyme, both the specific activity and the first-order rate constant of the fluorinated enzyme decreased by approximately 20% with just slightly higher Km values. CD studies, however, did not reveal any difference between the secondary structure of the native and fluorinated enzymes. In addition, thermal unfolding studies showed that the 4-fluorotryptophan replacement did not significantly affect the thermal stability of the enzyme. We may conclude that the substitution of 4-fluorotryptophan in arginyl-tRNA synthetase had no substantial effect on the structure and function of the enzyme. Finally, a preliminary study of 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the fluorinated enzyme has shown promising prospect for further investigation of its structure and function with NMR.

Arginine-tRNA Ligase↗

Acceptor end binding domain interactions ensure correct aminoacylation of transfer RNA.

The recognition of the acceptor stem of tRNA(Gln) is an important element ensuring the accuracy of aminoacylation by Escherichia coli glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (GlnRS; EC 6.1.1.18). On the basis of known mutations and the crystal structure of the tRNA(Gln).GlnRS complex, we mutagenized at saturation two motifs in the acceptor end binding domain of GlnRS. Mutants with lowered tRNA specificity were then selected in vivo by suppression of a glutamine-specific amber mutation (lacZ1000) with an amber suppressor tRNA derived from tRNA(1Ser). The mischarging GlnRS mutants obtained in this way retain the ability to charge tRNA(Gln), but in addition, they misacylate a number of noncognate amber suppressor tRNAs. The critical residues responsible for specificity are Arg-130 and Glu-131, located in a part of GlnRS that binds the acceptor stem of tRNA(Gln). On the basis of the spectrum of tRNAs capable of being misacylated by such mutants we propose that, in addition to taking part in productive interactions, the acceptor end binding domain contributes to recognition specificity by rejecting noncognate tRNAs through negative interactions. Analysis of the catalytic properties of one of the mischarging enzymes, GlnRS100 (Arg-130-->Pro, Glu-131-->Asp), indicates that, while the kinetic parameters of the mutant enzyme are not dramatically changed, it binds noncognate tRNA(Glu) more stably than the wild-type enzyme does (Kd is 1/8 that of the wild type). Thus, the stability of the noncognate complex may be the basis for mischarging in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Steady-state kinetic analysis of transcription of cloned tRNASer genes from Drosophila melanogaster.

Drosophila melanogaster Schneider II cells contain a factor which inhibits transcription in vitro of cloned tRNA genes in crude extracts made from these cells. The inhibitor could, however, be effectively neutralized by addition of certain non-template DNAs. In the absence of the transcription inhibitor activity, the steady-state kinetics of tRNA production from cloned genes followed one-substrate enzyme kinetics to a high degree of accuracy. Maximal rates of transcription and apparent affinity constants were analyzed for a collection of cloned D. melanogaster tRNASer genes. The stability of the complex formed by the transcription proteins and the template DNA was found to be nearly constant for the genes examined. The transcription rates, however, were greatly influenced by the DNA sequences flanking the tRNA genes. Analysis of transcription competition between DNA templates showed pure competitive behavior. Inhibition constants derived from these experiments indicated that the formation of the transcription complex was affected by sequences flanking the tRNA genes. Furthermore, the rate-limiting step in complex formation was independent of the stability of the final form of the complex.

Cloning, Molecular↗

High-level expression of recombinant genes in Escherichia coli is dependent on the availability of the dnaY gene product.

We have observed that proteins, such as human tissue-type plasminogen activator, pro-urokinase or gp41 of human immunodeficiency virus, which have a high content of rare codons in their respective genes, are not readily expressed in Escherichia coli. Furthermore induction of these heterologous genes leads to growth inhibition and plasmid instability. Supplementation with tRNA(AGA/AGG(Arg)) by cotransfection with the dnaY gene, which supplies this minor tRNA, resulted in high-level production with greatly improved cell viability and plasmid stability.

Base Sequence↗

Site-directed hydroxyl radical probing of 30S ribosomal subunits by using Fe(II) tethered to an interruption in the 16S rRNA chain.

Two in vitro transcripts, one corresponding to the 5' and central domains (residues 1-920) of 16S rRNA and the other corresponding to its 3' domain (residues 922-1542), assemble efficiently in trans with 30S ribosomal proteins to form a compact ribonucleoprotein particle that cosediments with natural 30S subunits. Isolated particles are similar in appearance to natural 30S subunits with electron microscopy and contain a full complement of the small subunit ribosomal proteins. The particles have a reduced ability to bind tRNA (attributable to the location of the discontinuity in a conserved region of the rRNA) near features that have been implicated in tRNA binding. Association of these two halves of 16S rRNA in trans must be stabilized by either previously unidentified RNA-RNA contacts or interactions mediated by ribosomal proteins because there are no known direct interactions between them. The trans construct was used to probe the three-dimensional RNA neighborhood around position 922 of 16S rRNA by generating hydroxyl radicals from Fe(II) tethered to the 5' end of the 3' transcript. Hydroxyl radical-induced cuts in the 16S rRNA chain were localized by primer extension to nucleotides 923-929 and 1192-1198, providing evidence for the mutual proximity of the 920 and 1192 regions.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

Dual function of eIF3j/Hcr1p in processing 20 S pre-rRNA and translation initiation.

eIF3j/Hcr1p, a protein associated with eIF3, was shown to bind to, and stabilize, the multifactor complex containing eIFs 1, 2, 3, and 5 and Met-tRNA(i)(Met), whose formation is required for an optimal rate of translation initiation. Here we present evidence that eIF3j/Hcr1p is an RNA binding protein that enhances a late step in 40 S ribosome maturation involving cleavage of the 20 S precursor of 18 S rRNA in the cytoplasm. Immunofluorescence staining shows that eIF3j/Hcr1p is localized predominantly in the cytoplasm. The hcr1Delta mutant exhibits a decreased amount of 40 S subunits, hypersensitivity to paromomycin, and increased levels of 20 S pre-rRNA. Combining the hcr1Delta mutation with drs2Delta or rps0aDelta, deletions of two other genes involved in the same step of 40 S subunit biogenesis, produced a synthetic growth defect. p35, the human ortholog of eIF3j/Hcr1p, partially complemented the slow growth phenotype conferred by hcr1Delta when overexpressed in yeast. heIF3j/p35 was found physically associated with yeast eIF3 and 43 S initiation complexes in vitro and in vivo. Because it did not complement the 40 S biogenesis defect of hcr1Delta, it appears that heIF3j can substitute for eIF3j/Hcr1p only in translation initiation. We conclude that eIF3j/Hcr1p is required for rapid processing of 20 S to 18 S rRNA besides its role in translation initiation, providing an intriguing link between ribosome biogenesis and translation.

Alleles↗

Structure of 23S rRNA hairpin 35 and its interaction with the tylosin-resistance methyltransferase RlmAII.

The bacterial rRNA methyltransferase RlmAII (formerly TlrB) contributes to resistance against tylosin-like 16-membered ring macrolide antibiotics. RlmAII was originally discovered in the tylosin-producer Streptomyces fradiae, and members of this subclass of methyltransferases have subsequently been found in other Gram-positive bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae. In all cases, RlmAII methylates 23S rRNA at nucleotide G748, which is situated in a stem-loop (hairpin 35) at the macrolide binding site of the ribosome. The conformation of hairpin 35 recognized by RlmAII is shown here by NMR spectroscopy to resemble the anticodon loop of tRNA. The loop folds independently of the rest of the 23S rRNA, and is stabilized by a non-canonical G-A pair and a U-turn motif, rendering G748 accessible. Binding of S.pneumoniae RlmAII induces changes in NMR signals at specific nucleotides that are involved in the methyltransferase-RNA interaction. The conformation of hairpin 35 that interacts with RlmAII is radically different from the structure this hairpin adopts within the 50S subunit. This indicates that the hairpin undergoes major structural rearrangement upon interaction with ribosomal proteins during 50S assembly.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Length variation in mitochondrial DNA of the minnow Cyprinella spiloptera.

Length differences in animal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are common, frequently due to variation in copy number of direct tandem duplications. While such duplications appear to form without great difficulty in some taxonomic groups, they appear to be relatively short-lived, as typical duplication products are geographically restricted within species and infrequently shared among species. To better understand such length variation, we have studied a tandem and direct duplication of approximately 260 bp in the control region of the cyprinid fish, Cyprinella spiloptera. Restriction site analysis of 38 individuals was used to characterize population structure and the distribution of variation in repeat copy number. This revealed two length variants, including individuals with two or three copies of the repeat, and little geographic structure among populations. No standard length (single copy) genomes were found and heteroplasmy, a common feature of length variation in other taxa, was absent. Nucleotide sequence of tandem duplications and flanking regions localized duplication junctions in the phenylalanine tRNA and near the origin of replication. The locations of these junctions and the stability of folded repeat copies support the hypothesized importance of secondary structures in models of duplication formation.

Animals↗

Ribonucleases J1 and J2: two novel endoribonucleases in B.subtilis with functional homology to E.coli RNase E.

Many prokaryotic organisms lack an equivalent of RNase E, which plays a key role in mRNA degradation in Escherichia coli. In this paper, we report the purification and identification by mass spectrometry in Bacillus subtilis of two paralogous endoribonucleases, here named RNases J1 and J2, which share functional homologies with RNase E but no sequence similarity. Both enzymes are able to cleave the B.subtilis thrS leader at a site that can also be cleaved by E.coli RNase E. We have previously shown that cleavage at this site increases the stability of the downstream messenger. Moreover, RNases J1/J2 are sensitive to the 5' phosphorylation state of the substrate in a site-specific manner. Orthologues of RNases J1/J2, which belong to the metallo-beta-lactamase family, are evolutionarily conserved in many prokaryotic organisms, representing a new family of endoribonucleases. RNases J1/J2 appear to be implicated in regulatory processing/maturation of specific mRNAs, such as the T-box family members thrS and thrZ, but may also contribute to global mRNA degradation.

5' Untranslated Regions↗