Hydrogen bonding in yeast phenylalanine transfer RNA

Fluorescent tRNA derivatives and ribosome recognition

The use of fluorescent derivatives of tRNAPhe (yeast) in studies on tRNA conformation and on tRNA-ribosome recognition is described. Evidence is presented which indicates that under physiological conditions with respect to ionic strength and Mg2+ concentration, tRNAPhe exists in at least two conformations. The functional significance of this behavior is discussed on the basis of aminoacylation experiments. The investigation of the ribosome complexes of tRNAPhe labeled in the anticodon and D-loops has provided evidence suggesting that the presence of the codon, although not appreciably altering the apparent association constant, leads to qualitatively different complexes in which the tRNA appears to be rigidly bound to the codon even in the P-tRNA to the ribosome occurs in several steps, which take place only in the presence of the proper codon. One or more of these steps may represent codon-induced conformational changes of the tRNA molecule, which constitute the molecular basis of the highly specific binding of the tRNA to the ribosome.

Analysis of RNA secondary structure by photochemical reversal of psoralen crosslinks

Aminomethyltrioxsalen (AMT), a psoralen, is known to cause interstrand crosslinks in double stranded nucleic acids. We have demonstrated the photochemical reversal of this reaction, and have used this result to develop a method for identification of specific sequences which are adjacent because of RNA secondary structure formation. E. coli 5S rRNA is used as a model system. We isolated and characterized a product that is derived from the stem region of 5S RNA.

An NMR study of the exchange rates for protons involved in the secondary and tertiary structure of yeast tRNA Phe

Solvent exchange rates of all the protons of yeast tRNAphe resonating in the lowfield NMR region (-11 to-15 ppm from DSS) have been measured by saturation-recovery long-pulse Fourier transform NMR. All these protons in yeast tRNAphe are in the fast exchange limit with H2O relative to their intrinsic longitudinal relaxation processes. Most rates show very little temperature dependence; however, tertiary base pair protons are preferentially destabilized in the absence of Mg++ at higher temperatures. The measured exchange rates are between 2 and 125 sec-1 for a temperature range from 10 degrees C to 45 degrees C and MgCl2 concentrations between 0 and 15 mM.

High-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance determination of transfer RNA tertiary base pairs in solution. 1. Species containing a small variable loop

Eight class I tRNA species have been purified to homogeneity and their proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra in the low-field region (-11 to -15 ppm) have been studied at 360 MHz. The low-field spectra contain only one low-field resonance from each base pair (the ring NH hydrogen bond) and hence directly monitor the number of long-lived secondary and tertiary base pairs in solution. The tRNA species were chosen on the basis of their sequence homology with yeast phenylalanine tRNA in the regions which form tertiary base pairs in the crystal structure of this tRNA. All of the spectra show 26 or 27 low-field resonances approximately 7 of which are derived from tertiary base pairs. These results are contrary to previous claims that the NMR spectra indicate the presence of resonances from secondary base pairs only, as well as more recent claims of only 1-3 tertiary resonances, but are in good agreement with the number of tertiary base pairs expected in solution based on the crystal structure. The tertiary base pair resonances are stable up to at least 46 degrees C. Removal of magnesium ions causes structural changes in the tRNA but does not result in the loss of any secondary or tertiary base pairs.

1H NMR studies of transfer RNA III: the observed and the computed spectra of the hydrogen-bonded NH resonances of baker's yeast transfer-RNA Phe

The hydrogen-bonded NH resonances of Baker's yeast tRNAphe in H2O solution with Mg++ have been measured by a 360 MHz spectrometer at 23 degrees C. Totally, fifteen peaks and one shoulder can be resolved which represent 25 +/- 1 protons. Based on the refined atomic coordinates of the tRNAphe in the orthorhombic crystal, on the recent advances in the distance dependence of the ring-current magnetic field effects and on the adopted values for the isolated hydrogen-bonded NH resonances, a computed spectrum consisting of 23 protons was constructed. A quantitative comparison by computer was made between the computed spectrum and the spectrum simulated from the observed spectrum. These two spectra are closely similar but not identical. We suggest that the conformation of yeast tRNAphe in aqueous solution is closely similar but not identical to that found in the crystal, especially in the T psi C region and D region. Also the NH resonances in 3-4 proposed hydrogen bonds (most likely for tertiary structure) may exchange very rapidly in aqueous solution.

Structural organization of complexes of transfer RNAs with aminoacyl transfer RNA synthetases

A variety of experimental data on synthetase-tRNA interactions are examined. Although these data previously had no direct explanation when viewed only in terms of the tRNA cloverleaf diagram, they can be rationalized according to a simple proposal that takes account of the three dimensional structure of tRNA. It is proposed that a major part of the binding site for most or all synthetases is along and around the diagonal side of the tRNA structure, which contains the acceptor stem, dihydrouridine stem, and anticodon. This side of the tRNA molecule contains structural features likely to be common for all tRNAs. Depending on the system, an enzyme may span a small part or all of the region of this side of the molecule. Interactions with other parts of the structure may also occur in a manner that varies from complex to complex. These interactions may be determined, in part, by the angle at which the diagonal side of the flat tRNA molecule is inserted onto the surface of the synthetase.

Hydrogen-bonded protons in the tertiary structure of yeast tRNAPhe in solution

Temperature-dependent lowfield proton magnetic resonance spectra of yeast tRNAPhe were recorded between 10 and 15 parts per million. Seven resonances of hydrogen-bonded protons disappeared reversibly under two sets of conditions where the selective broadening of tertiary structure resonances were predicted by temperature jump experiments. The seven resonances were assigned to the seven tertiary hydrogen bonds expected between 10 and 15 parts per million from the crystal structure of yeast tRNAPhe. Some of the non-Watson-Crick base pairs have unusual unshifted standard chemical shifts after the ring current contributions calculated from the crystal coordinates were subtracted. The differences of the chemical shifts of homologous tertiary structure base pairs in Escherichia coli tRNAfMet and yeast tRNAPhe give experimental evidence for details of the conformational differences postulated by model building on the basis of the x-ray coordinates of yeast tRNAPhe and sequence homologies.

An NMR approach to tRNA tertiary structure in solution

Atomic coordinates of E. Coli tRNA1Val have been generated from the X-ray crystal structure of Yeast tRNAPhe by base substitution followed by idealization...

Interactions of yeast tRNAPhe with ribosomes from yeast and Escherichia coli. A fluorescence spectroscopic study

The interaction of ethidium-labeled tRNAPhe from yeast with ribosomes from yeast and Escherichia coli was studied by stead-state measurements of fluorescence intensity and polarization. The ethidium label was covalently inserted into either the anticodon or the dihydrouridine loop of the tRNA. The codon-independent formation of a tRNA-ribosome complex led to only a moderate increase of the observed fluorescence polarization indicating a considerable internal mobility of the labeled parts of the tRNA molecule in the ribosome complex. When the ribosome complex was formed in the presence of poly(U), the probes both in the dihydrouridine loop and in the anticodon loop were strongly immobilized, the latter exhibiting a substantial increase in fluorescence intensity. A smaller intensity change was observed when E. coli ribosomes were used, although the extent of immobilization was found to be similar in this case. Competition experiments with non-labeled tRNAPhe showed that the labeled tRNAPheEtd was readily released from the complex with yeast ribosomes when poly(U) was absent, whereas in the presence of poly(U) it was bound practically irreversibly. The finding that the mobility of a probe in the dihydrouridine loop is affected by the codon-anticodon interaction on the ribosome suggests a conformational change of the ribosome-bound tRNA which may involve opening of the tertiary structure interactions between the dihydrouridine and the TpsiC loop.

Calorimetric studies on melting of tRNA Phe (yeast)

The heat effects involved in thermal unfolding of tRNAPhe from yeast have been determined in various buffer systems by direct differential scanning calorimetry. Perfect reversibility of the melting process has been demonstrated for measurements in the absence of Mg2+ ions. The overall molar transition enthalpy, delta Ht = 298 +/- 15 kcal mol-1 (1247 +/- 63 kJ mol-1), has been shown to be independent of the NaCl concentration and the nature of the buffers used in this study. Delta Ht is identical in the presence and in the absence of Mg2+ ions within the margin of experimental error. This experimental result implies a vanishing or very small heat capacity change to be associated with melting. Decomposition of the calorimetrically determined complex transition curves, on the assumption that the experimental melting profile represents the sum of independent two-state transitions, results in five transitions which have been assigned to melting of different structural domains of the tRNA.

The iminoproton NMR spectrum of yeast tRNA-Phe predicted from crystal coordinates

The ring current effects on the base paired iminoprotons in yeast tRNA-Phe have been calculated from crystal coordinates. The results in conjunction with independently determined intrinsic positions of the iminoprotons in various base pairs enable us to predict the low field NMR spectrum of yeast tRNA-Phe. It turns out that the calculated NMR spectra are very sensitive to slight changes in structure. Moreover the crystal and solution structure are identical as far as the present methods go.

The kinetics of bisulphite modification of reactive residues in E. coli tRNA2Phe

E coli tRNA2Phe was modified at 25 degrees C with 3M sodium bisulphite, pH6.0, for periods of up to 48 hours, Three cytadinine residues, at position 17, 74 and 75 from the 5' end were each deaminated to uridine. The 2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyl adenosine at position 37 formed a 1:1 bi-sulphite addition product which was stable to alkaii. No other residues were permanently modified. The rate of modification of each residue was first order with respect to remaining unmodified nucleotide, the time of half reaction, t1/2, being different for each residue. C17 reaction reacted at twice the rate of cytidine in PolyC, indicating that it occupied a very exposed position in the tRNA.

Structlre of transfer RNA molecules containing the long variable loop

A structure is proposed for the type II tRNA molecules containing the long variable loop and the tertiary base interactions here are compared with type I tRNAs having the short variable loop. The type II tRNAs are similar to the type I tRNAs in their tertiary base pairing interactions but differ from them generally by not having the tertiary base triples. The long variable loop, which is comprised of a helical stem and a loop at the end of it, emerges from the deep groove side of the dihydrouridine helix, and is tilted roughly 30 degrees to the plane formed by the amino acid-pseudo-uridine and anticodon-dihydrouridine helices found in yeast tRNAPhe. The fact that many of the type I tRNAs also lack the full compliment of base triples suggests that the tertiary base pairs may alone suffice to sustain the tRNA fold required for its biological function. The base triples and the variable loop appear to have little functional significance. The base type at position 9 is correlated with the number of base triples and G-C base pairs in the dihydrouridine stem.

Calorimetric investigations on thermal stability of tRNAIle (yeast) and tRNASer (yeast)

Variation with temperature of the partial heat capacities of tRNAIle (yeast) and tRNASer (yeast) has been determined in two buffers at various salt conditions by scanning microcalorimetry. The overall molar transition enthalpy, deltaHt = 320 +/- 20 kcal mol-1 (1339 +/- 84 kJ mol-1) is identical for the two tRNA species within the limits of experimental error. deltaHt does not show any dependence on the nature of the buffer, nor does it vary on addition of 1 mM MgCl2 or 150 mM NaCl. Thermal unfolding of the native structure to the random coil cannot adequately be described by a two-state, concerted transition under the experimental conditions applied in this study, but exhibits a multistep mechanism characterized by sequential unfolding of separable cooperative domains.

Mechanisms of chain folding in nucleic acids. The (omega, omega) plot and its correlation to the nucleotide geometry in yeast tRNAPhe1

The (omega', omega) polot depicting the internucleotide P-O bond rotation angles in yeast phenylalanyl transfer RNA has established the interdependence of the phosphodiesters and the nucleotide geometries in the folding of the polynucleotide backbone. The plot distinguishes the regions characteristic of secondary helical structures and tertiary structural loops and bends. The folding of the polynucleotide chain is accomplished either solely by rotations around the P-O bonds or in concert with rotations around the nucleotide C4'-C5' bond with or without changes in the sugar ring pucker. In spite of differences in nucleotide sequence and intraloop tertiary interactions in the anticodon and pseudouridine loops, a characteristic repeating structural unit is found for the sugar-phosphate backbone of the tetranucleotide segment around the sharp turns.

CD spectra of 5-methyl-2-thiouridine in tRNA-Met-f from an extreme thermophile

5-Methyl-2-thiouridine (S) in tRNA-Met-f from an extreme thermophile is located in the TpsiC region, replacing T, and has a positive CD band centered at 310 nm. Upon heating, the profiles of the change in this band were similar to the UV melting profiles of the change monitored at 260 nm. This strongly suggests a close relation between heat denaturation of the tRNA and the conformation of the S base. Oligonucleotides containing S showed negative CD bands at 320-330 nm, like the monomer S itself, but when the 3'-2/5 fragment containing S formed a complex with the complementary 5'-3/5 fragment, a positive CD band appeared at 310 nm. These results suggest that combination of the TpsiC loop containing S with the hU loop is necessary for the positive band of S at 310 nm. S may serve to strengthen the association of the TpsiC loop with the hU loop in tRNA of the thermophile.