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Evic V, Soic R, Mocibob M, Kekez M, Houser J, Wimmerová M, Matković-Čalogović D, Gruic-Sovulj I, Kekez I, Rokov-Plavec J. Evolutionarily conserved cysteines in plant cytosolic seryl-tRNA synthetase are important for its resistance to oxidation. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2975-2992. [PMID: 37804069 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
We have previously identified a unique disulfide bond in the crystal structure of Arabidopsis cytosolic seryl-tRNA synthetase involving cysteines evolutionarily conserved in all green plants. Here, we discovered that both cysteines are important for protein stability, but with opposite effects, and that their microenvironment may promote disulfide bond formation in oxidizing conditions. The crystal structure of the C244S mutant exhibited higher rigidity and an extensive network of noncovalent interactions correlating with its higher thermal stability. The activity of the wild-type showed resistance to oxidation with H2 O2 , while the activities of cysteine-to-serine mutants were impaired, indicating that the disulfide link may enable the protein to function under oxidative stress conditions which can be beneficial for an efficient plant stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Evic
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ruzica Soic
- Division of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Mocibob
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mario Kekez
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josef Houser
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Brno, Czech Republic
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Wimmerová
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Brno, Czech Republic
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dubravka Matković-Čalogović
- Division of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ita Gruic-Sovulj
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Kekez
- Division of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasmina Rokov-Plavec
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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2
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Giegé R, Eriani G. The tRNA identity landscape for aminoacylation and beyond. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1528-1570. [PMID: 36744444 PMCID: PMC9976931 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
tRNAs are key partners in ribosome-dependent protein synthesis. This process is highly dependent on the fidelity of tRNA aminoacylation by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and relies primarily on sets of identities within tRNA molecules composed of determinants and antideterminants preventing mischarging by non-cognate synthetases. Such identity sets were discovered in the tRNAs of a few model organisms, and their properties were generalized as universal identity rules. Since then, the panel of identity elements governing the accuracy of tRNA aminoacylation has expanded considerably, but the increasing number of reported functional idiosyncrasies has led to some confusion. In parallel, the description of other processes involving tRNAs, often well beyond aminoacylation, has progressed considerably, greatly expanding their interactome and uncovering multiple novel identities on the same tRNA molecule. This review highlights key findings on the mechanistics and evolution of tRNA and tRNA-like identities. In addition, new methods and their results for searching sets of multiple identities on a single tRNA are discussed. Taken together, this knowledge shows that a comprehensive understanding of the functional role of individual and collective nucleotide identity sets in tRNA molecules is needed for medical, biotechnological and other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Giegé
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Richard Giegé.
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3
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Ostersetzer-Biran O, Klipcan L. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and translational quality control in plant mitochondria. Mitochondrion 2020; 54:15-20. [PMID: 32580010 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2020.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Gene expression involves the transfer of information stored in the DNA to proteins by two sequential key steps: transcription and translation. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), an ancient group of enzymes, are key to these processes as they catalyze the attachment of each of the 20 amino acids to their corresponding tRNA molecules. Yet, in addition to the 20 canonical amino acids, plants also produce numerous non-proteogenic amino acids (NPAAs), some of which are erroneously loaded into tRNAs, translated into non-functional or toxic proteins and may thereby disrupt essential cellular processes. While many studies have been focusing on plant organelle RNA metabolism, mitochondrial translation still lags behind its characterization in bacterial and eukaryotic systems. Notably, plant mitochondrial aaRSs generally have a dual location, residing also within the chloroplasts or cytosol. Currently, little is known about how mitochondrial aaRSs distinguish between amino acids and their closely related NPAAs. The organelle translation machineries in plants seem more susceptible to NPAAs due to protein oxidation by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and high rates of protein turnover. We speculate that plant organellar aaRSs have acquired high-affinities to their cognate amino acid substrates to reduce cytotoxic effects by NPAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oren Ostersetzer-Biran
- Dept of Plant & Environmental Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Liron Klipcan
- Gilat Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, M.P Negev, 85280, Israel.
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4
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Tawfik DS, Gruic-Sovulj I. How evolution shapes enzyme selectivity - lessons from aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and other amino acid utilizing enzymes. FEBS J 2020; 287:1284-1305. [PMID: 31891445 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) charge tRNA with their cognate amino acids. Many other enzymes use amino acids as substrates, yet discrimination against noncognate amino acids that threaten the accuracy of protein translation is a hallmark of AARSs. Comparing AARSs to these other enzymes allowed us to recognize patterns in molecular recognition and strategies used by evolution for exercising selectivity. Overall, AARSs are 2-3 orders of magnitude more selective than most other amino acid utilizing enzymes. AARSs also reveal the physicochemical limits of molecular discrimination. For example, amino acids smaller by a single methyl moiety present a discrimination ceiling of ~200, while larger ones can be discriminated by up to 105 -fold. In contrast, substrates larger by a hydroxyl group challenge AARS selectivity, due to promiscuous H-bonding with polar active site groups. This 'hydroxyl paradox' is resolved by editing. Indeed, when the physicochemical discrimination limits are reached, post-transfer editing - hydrolysis of tRNAs charged with noncognate amino acids, evolved. The editing site often selectively recognizes the edited noncognate substrate using the very same feature that the synthetic site could not efficiently discriminate against. Finally, the comparison to other enzymes also reveals that the selectivity of AARSs is an explicitly evolved trait, showing some clear examples of how selection acted not only to optimize catalytic efficiency with the target substrate, but also to abolish activity with noncognate threat substrates ('negative selection').
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan S Tawfik
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ita Gruic-Sovulj
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
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5
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Kekez M, Zanki V, Kekez I, Baranasic J, Hodnik V, Duchêne A, Anderluh G, Gruic‐Sovulj I, Matković‐Čalogović D, Weygand‐Durasevic I, Rokov‐Plavec J. Arabidopsis
seryl‐
tRNA
synthetase: the first crystal structure and novel protein interactor of plant aminoacyl‐
tRNA
synthetase. FEBS J 2019; 286:536-554. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.14735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Kekez
- Division of Biochemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Vladimir Zanki
- Division of Biochemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Ivana Kekez
- Division of General and Inorganic Chemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Jurica Baranasic
- Division of Biochemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Vesna Hodnik
- National Institute of Chemistry Ljubljana Slovenia
- Biotechnical faculty University of Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Anne‐Marie Duchêne
- Institut de biologie moléculaire des plantes CNRS, Université de Strasbourg Strasbourg Cedex France
| | | | - Ita Gruic‐Sovulj
- Division of Biochemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Dubravka Matković‐Čalogović
- Division of General and Inorganic Chemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Ivana Weygand‐Durasevic
- Division of Biochemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Jasmina Rokov‐Plavec
- Division of Biochemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
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6
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Holman KM, Puppala AK, Lee JW, Lee H, Simonović M. Insights into substrate promiscuity of human seryl-tRNA synthetase. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 23:1685-1699. [PMID: 28808125 PMCID: PMC5648036 DOI: 10.1261/rna.061069.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Seryl-tRNA synthetase (SerRS) attaches L-serine to the cognate serine tRNA (tRNASer) and the noncognate selenocysteine tRNA (tRNASec). The latter activity initiates the anabolic cycle of selenocysteine (Sec), proper decoding of an in-frame Sec UGA codon, and synthesis of selenoproteins across all domains of life. While the accuracy of SerRS is important for overall proteome integrity, it is its substrate promiscuity that is vital for the integrity of the selenoproteome. This raises a question as to what elements in the two tRNA species, harboring different anticodon sequences and adopting distinct folds, facilitate aminoacylation by a common aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. We sought to answer this question by analyzing the ability of human cytosolic SerRS to bind and act on tRNASer, tRNASec, and 10 mutant and chimeric constructs in which elements of tRNASer were transposed onto tRNASec We show that human SerRS only subtly prefers tRNASer to tRNASec, and that discrimination occurs at the level of the serylation reaction. Surprisingly, the tRNA mutants predicted to adopt either the 7/5 or 8/5 fold are poor SerRS substrates. In contrast, shortening of the acceptor arm of tRNASec by a single base pair yields an improved SerRS substrate that adopts an 8/4 fold. We suggest that an optimal tertiary arrangement of structural elements within tRNASec and tRNASer dictate their utility for serylation. We also speculate that the extended acceptor-TΨC arm of tRNASec evolved as a compromise for productive binding to SerRS while remaining the major recognition element for other enzymes involved in Sec and selenoprotein synthesis.
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MESH Headings
- Base Sequence
- Binding Sites
- Cytosol/enzymology
- Humans
- Kinetics
- Models, Molecular
- Mutagenesis
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- RNA Folding
- RNA, Transfer, Amino Acid-Specific/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Amino Acid-Specific/genetics
- RNA, Transfer, Amino Acid-Specific/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer, Ser/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Ser/genetics
- RNA, Transfer, Ser/metabolism
- Serine-tRNA Ligase/metabolism
- Substrate Specificity
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn M Holman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Anupama K Puppala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Jonathan W Lee
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Hyun Lee
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Miljan Simonović
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
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7
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Mechanistic Insights Into Catalytic RNA-Protein Complexes Involved in Translation of the Genetic Code. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2017. [PMID: 28683922 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The contemporary world is an "RNA-protein world" rather than a "protein world" and tracing its evolutionary origins is of great interest and importance. The different RNAs that function in close collaboration with proteins are involved in several key physiological processes, including catalysis. Ribosome-the complex megadalton cellular machinery that translates genetic information encoded in nucleotide sequence to amino acid sequence-epitomizes such an association between RNA and protein. RNAs that can catalyze biochemical reactions are known as ribozymes. They usually employ general acid-base catalytic mechanism, often involving the 2'-OH of RNA that activates and/or stabilizes a nucleophile during the reaction pathway. The protein component of such RNA-protein complexes (RNPCs) mostly serves as a scaffold which provides an environment conducive for the RNA to function, or as a mediator for other interacting partners. In this review, we describe those RNPCs that are involved at different stages of protein biosynthesis and in which RNA performs the catalytic function; the focus of the account is on highlighting mechanistic aspects of these complexes. We also provide a perspective on such associations in the context of proofreading during translation of the genetic code. The latter aspect is not much appreciated and recent works suggest that this is an avenue worth exploring, since an understanding of the subject can provide useful insights into how RNAs collaborate with proteins to ensure fidelity during these essential cellular processes. It may also aid in comprehending evolutionary aspects of such associations.
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8
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Cvetesic N, Gruic-Sovulj I. Synthetic and editing reactions of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases using cognate and non-cognate amino acid substrates. Methods 2016; 113:13-26. [PMID: 27713080 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2016.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The covalent coupling of cognate amino acid-tRNA pairs by corresponding aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) defines the genetic code and provides aminoacylated tRNAs for ribosomal protein synthesis. Besides the cognate substrate, some non-cognate amino acids may also compete for tRNA aminoacylation. However, their participation in protein synthesis is generally prevented by an aaRS proofreading activity located in the synthetic site and in a separate editing domain. These mechanisms, coupled with the ability of certain aaRSs to discriminate well against non-cognate amino acids in the synthetic reaction alone, define the accuracy of the aminoacylation reaction. aaRS quality control may also act as a gatekeeper for the standard genetic code and prevents infiltration by natural amino acids that are not normally coded for protein biosynthesis. This latter finding has reinforced interest in understanding the principles that govern discrimination against a range of potential non-cognate amino acids. This paper presents an overview of the kinetic assays that have been established for monitoring synthetic and editing reactions with cognate and non-cognate amino acid substrates. Taking into account the peculiarities of non-cognate reactions, the specific controls needed and the dedicated experimental designs are discussed in detail. Kinetic partitioning within the synthetic and editing sites controls the balance between editing and aminoacylation. We describe in detail steady-state and single-turnover approaches for the analysis of synthetic and editing reactions, which ultimately enable mechanisms of amino acid discrimination to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nevena Cvetesic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ita Gruic-Sovulj
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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9
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Perona JJ, Gruic-Sovulj I. Synthetic and editing mechanisms of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2013; 344:1-41. [PMID: 23852030 DOI: 10.1007/128_2013_456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) ensure the faithful transmission of genetic information in all living cells. The 24 known aaRS families are divided into 2 structurally distinct classes (class I and class II), each featuring a catalytic domain with a common fold that binds ATP, amino acid, and the 3'-terminus of tRNA. In a common two-step reaction, each aaRS first uses the energy stored in ATP to synthesize an activated aminoacyl adenylate intermediate. In the second step, either the 2'- or 3'-hydroxyl oxygen atom of the 3'-A76 tRNA nucleotide functions as a nucleophile in synthesis of aminoacyl-tRNA. Ten of the 24 aaRS families are unable to distinguish cognate from noncognate amino acids in the synthetic reactions alone. These enzymes possess additional editing activities for hydrolysis of misactivated amino acids and misacylated tRNAs, with clearance of the latter species accomplished in spatially separate post-transfer editing domains. A distinct class of trans-acting proteins that are homologous to class II editing domains also perform hydrolytic editing of some misacylated tRNAs. Here we review essential themes in catalysis with a view toward integrating the kinetic, stereochemical, and structural mechanisms of the enzymes. Although the aaRS have now been the subject of investigation for many decades, it will be seen that a significant number of questions regarding fundamental catalytic functioning still remain unresolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Perona
- Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, 751, Portland, OR, 97207, USA,
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