Crystal structure of the putative RNA methyltransferase PH1948 from Pyrococcus horikoshii, in complex with the copurified S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine

Structural insights into the catalytic mechanism of Synechocystis magnesium protoporphyrin IX O-methyltransferase (ChlM)

Magnesium protoporphyrin IX O-methyltransferase (ChlM) catalyzes transfer of the methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to the carboxyl group of the C13 propionate side chain of magnesium protoporphyrin IX. This reaction is the second committed step in chlorophyll biosynthesis from protoporphyrin IX. Here we report the crystal structures of ChlM from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 in complex with S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine at resolutions of 1.6 and 1.7 Å, respectively. The structures illustrate the molecular basis for cofactor and substrate binding and suggest that conformational changes of the two "arm" regions may modulate binding and release of substrates/products to and from the active site. Tyr-28 and His-139 were identified to play essential roles for methyl transfer reaction but are not indispensable for cofactor/substrate binding. Based on these structural and functional findings, a catalytic model is proposed.

RNomics and Modomics in the halophilic archaea Haloferax volcanii: identification of RNA modification genes

Background

Naturally occurring RNAs contain numerous enzymatically altered nucleosides. Differences in RNA populations (RNomics) and pattern of RNA modifications (Modomics) depends on the organism analyzed and are two of the criteria that distinguish the three kingdoms of life. If the genomic sequences of the RNA molecules can be derived from whole genome sequence information, the modification profile cannot and requires or direct sequencing of the RNAs or predictive methods base on the presence or absence of the modifications genes.

Results

By employing a comparative genomics approach, we predicted almost all of the genes coding for the t+rRNA modification enzymes in the mesophilic moderate halophile Haloferax volcanii. These encode both guide RNAs and enzymes. Some are orthologous to previously identified genes in Archaea, Bacteria or in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but several are original predictions.

Conclusion

The number of modifications in t+rRNAs in the halophilic archaeon is surprisingly low when compared with other Archaea or Bacteria, particularly the hyperthermophilic organisms. This may result from the specific lifestyle of halophiles that require high intracellular salt concentration for survival. This salt content could allow RNA to maintain its functional structural integrity with fewer modifications. We predict that the few modifications present must be particularly important for decoding, accuracy of translation or are modifications that cannot be functionally replaced by the electrostatic interactions provided by the surrounding salt-ions. This analysis also guides future experimental validation work aiming to complete the understanding of the function of RNA modifications in Archaeal translation.