Crystal structure of the regulatory subunit of archaeal initiation factor 2B (aIF2B) from hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3: a proposed structure of the regulatory subcomplex of eukaryotic IF2B

Elucidation of the Translation Initiation Factor Interaction Network of Haloferax volcanii Reveals Coupling of Transcription and Translation in Haloarchaea

Translation is an important step in gene expression. Initiation of translation is rate-limiting, and it is phylogenetically more diverse than elongation or termination. Bacteria contain only three initiation factors. In stark contrast, eukaryotes contain more than 10 (subunits of) initiation factors (eIFs). The genomes of archaea contain many genes that are annotated to encode archaeal homologs of eukaryotic initiation factors (aIFs). However, experimental characterization of aIFs is scarce and mostly restricted to very few species. To broaden the view, the protein-protein interaction network of aIFs in the halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii has been characterized. To this end, tagged versions of 14 aIFs were overproduced, affinity isolated, and the co-isolated binding partners were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting and MS/MS analyses. The aIF-aIF interaction network was resolved, and it was found to contain two interaction hubs, (1) the universally conserved factor aIF5B, and (2) a protein that has been annotated as the enzyme ribose-1,5-bisphosphate isomerase, which we propose to rename to aIF2Bα. Affinity isolation of aIFs also led to the co-isolation of many ribosomal proteins, but also transcription factors and subunits of the RNA polymerase (Rpo). To analyze a possible coupling of transcription and translation, seven tagged Rpo subunits were overproduced, affinity isolated, and co-isolated proteins were identified. The Rpo interaction network contained many transcription factors, but also many ribosomal proteins as well as the initiation factors aIF5B and aIF2Bα. These results showed that transcription and translation are coupled in haloarchaea, like in Escherichia coli. It seems that aIF5B and aIF2Bα are not only interaction hubs in the translation initiation network, but also key players in the transcription-translation coupling.

Ribose-5-phosphate isomerases: characteristics, structural features, and applications

Ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (Rpi, EC 5.3.1.6) is widespread in microorganisms, animals, and plants. It has a pivotal role in the pentose phosphate pathway and responsible for catalyzing the isomerization between D-ribulose 5-phosphate and D-ribose 5-phosphate. In recent years, Rpi has received considerable attention as a multipurpose biocatalyst for production of rare sugars, including D-allose, L-rhamnulose, L-lyxose, and L-tagatose. Besides, it has been thought of as a potential drug target in the treatment of trypanosomatid-caused diseases such as Chagas' disease, leishmaniasis, and human African trypanosomiasis. Despite increased research activities, up to now, no systematic review of Rpi has been published. To fill this gap, this paper provides detailed information about the enzymatic properties of various Rpis. Furthermore, structural features, catalytic mechanism, and molecular modifications of Rpis are summarized based on extensive crystal structure research. Additionally, the applications of Rpi in rare sugar production and the role of Rpi in trypanocidal drug design are reviewed. Key points • Fundamental properties of various ribose-5-phosphate isomerases (Rpis). • Differences in crystal structure and catalytic mechanism between RpiA and RpiB. • Application of Rpi as a rare sugar producer and a potential drug target.

The Prodigal Compound: Return of Ribosyl 1,5-Bisphosphate as an Important Player in Metabolism

Ribosyl 1,5-bisphosphate (PRibP) was discovered 65 years ago and was believed to be an important intermediate in ribonucleotide metabolism, a role immediately taken over by its "big brother" phosphoribosyldiphosphate. Only recently has PRibP come back into focus as an important player in the metabolism of ribonucleotides with the discovery of the pentose bisphosphate pathway that comprises, among others, the intermediates PRibP and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (cf. ribose 5-phosphate and ribulose 5-phosphate of the pentose phosphate pathway). Enzymes of several pathways produce and utilize PRibP not only in ribonucleotide metabolism but also in the catabolism of phosphonates, i.e., compounds containing a carbon-phosphorus bond. Pathways for PRibP metabolism are found in all three domains of life, most prominently among organisms of the archaeal domain, where they have been identified either experimentally or by bioinformatic analysis within all of the four main taxonomic groups, Euryarchaeota, TACK, DPANN, and Asgard. Advances in molecular genetics of archaea have greatly improved the understanding of the physiology of PRibP metabolism, and reconciliation of molecular enzymology and three-dimensional structure analysis of enzymes producing or utilizing PRibP emphasize the versatility of the compound. Finally, PRibP is also an effector of several metabolic activities in many organisms, including higher organisms such as mammals. In the present review, we describe all aspects of PRibP metabolism, with emphasis on the biochemical, genetic, and physiological aspects of the enzymes that produce or utilize PRibP. The inclusion of high-resolution structures of relevant enzymes that bind PRibP provides evidence for the flexibility and importance of the compound in metabolism.

The Jigsaw Puzzle of mRNA Translation Initiation in Eukaryotes: A Decade of Structures Unraveling the Mechanics of the Process

Translation initiation in eukaryotes is a highly regulated and rate-limiting process. It results in the assembly and disassembly of numerous transient and intermediate complexes involving over a dozen eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs). This process culminates in the accommodation of a start codon marking the beginning of an open reading frame at the appropriate ribosomal site. Although this process has been extensively studied by hundreds of groups for nearly half a century, it has been only recently, especially during the last decade, that we have gained deeper insight into the mechanics of the eukaryotic translation initiation process. This advance in knowledge is due in part to the contributions of structural biology, which have shed light on the molecular mechanics underlying the different functions of various eukaryotic initiation factors. In this review, we focus exclusively on the contribution of structural biology to the understanding of the eukaryotic initiation process, a long-standing jigsaw puzzle that is just starting to yield the bigger picture.

A presumed homologue of the regulatory subunits of eIF2B functions as ribose-1,5-bisphosphate isomerase in Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3

The homologues of the regulatory subunits of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) are assumed to be present in archaea. Likewise, an ORF, PH0208 in Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3 have been proposed to encode one of the homologues of regulatory subunits of eIF2B. However, PH0208 protein also shares sequence similarity with a functionally non-related enzyme, ribose-1,5-bisphosphate isomerase (R15Pi), involved in conversion of ribose-1,5-bisphosphate (R15P) to ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) in an AMP-dependent manner. Herein, we have determined the crystal structure of PH0208 protein in order to decipher its true function. Although structurally similar to the regulatory subunits of eIF2B, the ability to bind R15P and RuBP suggests that PH0208 would function as R15Pi. Additionally, this study for the first time reports the binding sites of AMP and GMP in R15Pi. The AMP binding site in PH0208 protein clarified the role of AMP in providing structural stability to R15Pi. The binding of GMP to the 'AMP binding site' in addition to its own binding site indicates that GMP might also execute a similar function, though with less specificity. Furthermore, we have utilized the resemblance between PH0208 and the regulatory subunits of eIF2B to propose a model for the regulatory mechanism of eIF2B in eukaryotes.

Architecture of the eIF2B regulatory subcomplex and its implications for the regulation of guanine nucleotide exchange on eIF2

Eukaryal translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) acts as guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for eIF2 and forms a central target for pathways regulating global protein synthesis. eIF2B consists of five non-identical subunits (α-ϵ), which assemble into a catalytic subcomplex (γ, ϵ) responsible for the GEF activity, and a regulatory subcomplex (α, β, δ) which regulates the GEF activity under stress conditions. Here, we provide new structural and functional insight into the regulatory subcomplex of eIF2B (eIF2B(RSC)). We report the crystal structures of eIF2Bβ and eIF2Bδ from Chaetomium thermophilum as well as the crystal structure of their tetrameric eIF2B(βδ)2 complex. Combined with mutational and biochemical data, we show that eIF2B(RSC) exists as a hexamer in solution, consisting of two eIF2Bβδ heterodimers and one eIF2Bα2 homodimer, which is homologous to homohexameric ribose 1,5-bisphosphate isomerases. This homology is further substantiated by the finding that eIF2Bα specifically binds AMP and GMP as ligands. Based on our data, we propose a model for eIF2B(RSC) and its interactions with eIF2 that is consistent with previous biochemical and genetic data and provides a framework to better understand eIF2B function, the molecular basis for Gcn(-), Gcd(-) and VWM/CACH mutations and the evolutionary history of the eIF2B complex.

In silico analysis suggests that PH0702 and PH0208 encode for methylthioribose-1-phosphate isomerase and ribose-1,5-bisphosphate isomerase, respectively, rather than aIF2Bβ and aIF2Bδ

The overall process of protein biosynthesis across all domains of life is similar; however, detailed insights reveal a range of differences in the proteins involved. For decades, the process of protein translation in archaea has been considered to be closer to eukaryotes than to bacteria. In archaea, however, several homologues of eukaryotic proteins involved in translation initiation have not yet been identified; one of them being the initiation factor eIF2B consisting of five subunits (α, β, γ, δ and ε). Three open reading frames (PH0440, PH0702 and PH0208) in Pyrococcus horikoshii have been proposed to encode for the α-, β- and δ-subunits of aIF2B, respectively. The crystal structure of PH0440 shows similarity toward the α-subunit of eIF2B. However, the capability of PH0702 and PH0208 to function as the β- and δ-subunits of eIF2B, respectively, remains uncertain. In this study, we have taken up the task of annotating PH0702 and PH0208 using bioinformatics methods. The phylogenetic analysis of protein sequences belonging to IF2B-like family along with PH0702 and PH0208 revealed that PH0702 belonged to methylthioribose-1-phosphate isomerase (MTNA) group of proteins, whereas, PH0208 was found to be clustered in the group of ribose-1,5-bisphosphate isomerase (R15PI) proteins. A careful analysis of protein sequences and structures available for eIF2B, MTNA and R15PI confirms that PH0702 and PH0208 contain residues essential for the enzymatic activity of MTNA and R15PI, respectively. Additionally, the protein PH0208 comprises of the residues required for the dimer formation which is essential for the biological activity of R15PI. This prompted us to examine all eIF2B-like proteins from archaea and to annotate their function. The results reveal that majority of these proteins are homologues of the α-subunit of eIF2B, even though they lack the residues essential for their functional activity. A better understanding of the mechanism of GTP exchange during translation initiation in archaea is henceforth required.

Insights into the architecture of the eIF2Bα/β/δ regulatory subcomplex

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B), the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the G-protein eIF2, is one of the main targets for the regulation of protein synthesis. The eIF2B activity is inhibited in response to a wide range of stress factors and diseases, including viral infections, hypoxia, nutrient starvation, and heme deficiency, collectively known as the integrated stress response. eIF2B has five subunits (α-ε). The α, β, and δ subunits are homologous to each other and form the eIF2B regulatory subcomplex, which is believed to be a trimer consisting of monomeric α, β, and δ subunits. Here we use a combination of biophysical methods, site-directed mutagenesis, and bioinformatics to show that the human eIF2Bα subunit is in fact a homodimer, at odds with the current trimeric model for the eIF2Bα/β/δ regulatory complex. eIF2Bα dimerizes using the same interface that is found in the homodimeric archaeal eIF2Bα/β/δ homolog aIF2B and related metabolic enzymes. We also present evidence that the eIF2Bβ/δ binding interface is similar to that in the eIF2Bα2 homodimer. Mutations at the predicted eIF2Bβ/δ dimer interface cause genetic neurological disorders in humans. We propose that the eIF2B regulatory subcomplex is an α2β2δ2 hexamer, composed of one α2 homodimer and two βδ heterodimers. Our results offer novel insights into the architecture of eIF2B and its interactions with the G-protein eIF2.

Dynamic, ligand-dependent conformational change triggers reaction of ribose-1,5-bisphosphate isomerase from Thermococcus kodakarensis KOD1

Ribose-1,5-bisphosphate isomerase (R15Pi) is a novel enzyme recently identified as a member of an AMP metabolic pathway in archaea. The enzyme converts d-ribose 1,5-bisphosphate into ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate, providing the substrate for archaeal ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenases. We here report the crystal structures of R15Pi from Thermococcus kodakarensis KOD1 (Tk-R15Pi) with and without its substrate or product. Tk-R15Pi is a hexameric enzyme formed by the trimerization of dimer units. Biochemical analyses show that Tk-R15Pi only accepts the α-anomer of d-ribose 1,5-bisphosphate and that Cys(133) and Asp(202) residues are essential for ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate production. Comparison of the determined structures reveals that the unliganded and product-binding structures are in an open form, whereas the substrate-binding structure adopts a closed form, indicating domain movement upon substrate binding. The conformational change to the closed form optimizes active site configuration and also isolates the active site from the solvent, which may allow deprotonation of Cys(133) and protonation of Asp(202) to occur. The structural features of the substrate-binding form and biochemical evidence lead us to propose that the isomerase reaction proceeds via a cis-phosphoenolate intermediate.

Archaeal aIF2B interacts with eukaryotic translation initiation factors eIF2alpha and eIF2Balpha: Implications for aIF2B function and eIF2B regulation

Translation initiation is down-regulated in eukaryotes by phosphorylation of the alpha-subunit of eIF2 (eukaryotic initiation factor 2), which inhibits its guanine nucleotide exchange factor, eIF2B. The N-terminal S1 domain of phosphorylated eIF2alpha interacts with a subcomplex of eIF2B formed by the three regulatory subunits alpha/GCN3, beta/GCD7, and delta/GCD2, blocking the GDP-GTP exchange activity of the catalytic epsilon-subunit of eIF2B. These regulatory subunits have related sequences and have sequences in common with many archaeal proteins, some of which are involved in methionine salvage and CO(2) fixation. Our sequence analyses however predicted that members of one phylogenetically distinct and coherent group of these archaeal proteins [designated aIF2Bs (archaeal initiation factor 2Bs)] are functional homologs of the alpha, beta, and delta subunits of eIF2B. Three of these proteins, from different archaea, have been shown to bind in vitro to the alpha-subunit of the archaeal aIF2 from the cognate archaeon. In one case, the aIF2B protein was shown further to bind to the S1 domain of the alpha-subunit of yeast eIF2 in vitro and to interact with eIF2Balpha/GCN3 in vivo in yeast. The aIF2B-eIF2alpha interaction was however independent of eIF2alpha phosphorylation. Mass spectrometry has identified several proteins that co-purify with aIF2B from Thermococcus kodakaraensis, and these include aIF2alpha, a sugar-phosphate nucleotidyltransferase with sequence similarity to eIF2Bvarepsilon, and several large-subunit (50S) ribosomal proteins. Based on this evidence that aIF2B has functions in common with eIF2B, the crystal structure established for an aIF2B was used to construct a model of the eIF2B regulatory subcomplex. In this model, the evolutionarily conserved regions and sites of regulatory mutations in the three eIF2B subunits in yeast are juxtaposed in one continuous binding surface for phosphorylated eIF2alpha.

Crystal structure of 5-methylthioribose 1-phosphate isomerase product complex from Bacillus subtilis: implications for catalytic mechanism

The methionine salvage pathway (MSP) plays a crucial role in recycling a sulphahydryl derivative of the nucleoside. Recently, the genes and reactions in MSP from Bacillus subtilis have been identified, where 5-methylthioribose 1-phosphate isomerase (M1Pi) catalyzes a conversion of 5-methylthioribose 1-phosphate (MTR-1-P) to 5-methylthioribulose 1-phosphate (MTRu-1-P). Herein, we report the crystal structures of B. subtilis M1Pi (Bs-M1Pi) in complex with its product MTRu-1-P, and a sulfate at 2.4 and 2.7 A resolution, respectively. The electron density clearly shows the presence of each compound in the active site. The structural comparison with other homologous proteins explains how the substrate uptake of Bs-M1Pi may be induced by an open/closed transition of the active site. The highly conserved residues at the active site, namely, Cys160 and Asp240 are most likely to be involved in catalysis. The structural analysis sheds light on its catalytic mechanism of M1Pi.

Purification of FLAG-tagged eukaryotic initiation factor 2B complexes, subcomplexes, and fragments from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) is a five-subunit guanine nucleotide exchange factor, that functions during translation initiation to catalyze the otherwise slow exchange of GDP for GTP on its substrate eIF2. Assays to measure substrate interaction and guanine nucleotide release ability of eIF2B require the complex to be purified free of interacting proteins. We have also found that a subcomplex of two subunits, gamma and epsilon or the largest one, epsilon alone, promotes this activity. Within eIF2Bepsilon, the catalytic center requires the C-terminal 200 residues only. Here, we describe our protocols for purifying the Saccharomyces cerevisiae eIF2B complexes and the catalytic subunit using FLAG-tagged proteins overexpressed in yeast cells. Using commercially available FLAG-affinity resin and high salt buffer, we are able to purify active eIF2B virtually free of contaminants.

Translational regulation of GCN4 and the general amino acid control of yeast

Cells reprogram gene expression in response to environmental changes by mobilizing transcriptional activators. The activator protein Gcn4 of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated by an intricate translational control mechanism, which is the primary focus of this review, and also by the modulation of its stability in response to nutrient availability. Translation of GCN4 mRNA is derepressed in amino acid-deprived cells, leading to transcriptional induction of nearly all genes encoding amino acid biosynthetic enzymes. The trans-acting proteins that control GCN4 translation have general functions in the initiation of protein synthesis, or regulate the activities of initiation factors, so that the molecular events that induce GCN4 translation also reduce the rate of general protein synthesis. This dual regulatory response enables cells to limit their consumption of amino acids while diverting resources into amino acid biosynthesis in nutrient-poor environments. Remarkably, mammalian cells use the same strategy to downregulate protein synthesis while inducing transcriptional activators of stress-response genes under various stressful conditions, including amino acid starvation.

Diversification of catalytic activities and ligand interactions in the protein fold shared by the sugar isomerases, eIF2B, DeoR transcription factors, acyl-CoA transferases and methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase

Evolution of diverse catalytic and ligand-binding activities in a given protein fold is a widely observed phenomenon in the protein-domain universe. However, the details of this evolutionary process, general principles, if any, and implications for origins of particular catalytic mechanisms are poorly understood in many common protein folds. Taking advantage of the wealth of currently available protein structure and sequence data, we explore these issues in the context of a large assemblage of biochemically diverse protein domains sharing a common origin, namely the sugar isomerases, translation factor eIF2B, ligand-binding domains of the DeoR-family transcription factors, acetyl-CoA transferases and methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase. We show that in at least three independent instances, including the sugar-binding domains of the DeoR family transcription factors, this domain has been used as small molecule sensor coupled to helix-turn-helix DNA-binding domains. In at least two of these instances the domain functions as a non-catalytic sensor of ligands. We provide evidence that the ancestral version of this fold was a distinct version of the Rosmann-like folds, which probably possessed two distinct ligand-binding areas that were differentially utilized in different descendents. Analyzing the sequences and structures of proteins in this fold we show that there are two principal factors related to the origin of catalytic diversity in this fold. Firstly, specific inserts and extension added to the core domain on multiple occasions in evolution have affected the access to the active site regions, and thereby allowed for different substrates and allosteric regulators. The second major factor appears to be the emergence of considerable diversity of family-specific residues with important biochemical roles. Interestingly, proteins of this fold, which catalyze similar reactions on similar substrates, might possess very distinctive sets of active residues required for substrate binding catalysis. In particular, different sugar isomerases or acyl transferases in this fold might show distinct constellations of active site residues. These findings suggest that whereas ligand-binding, and even generic catalytic ability emerged early in the evolution of the fold, the specific catalytic mechanisms appear to have independently emerged on multiple occasions in the generic precursors of this fold.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of methylthioribose-1-phosphate isomerase from Bacillus subtilis

Methylthioribose-1-phosphate isomerase (MtnA) from Bacillus subtilis, the first enzyme in the downstream section of the methionine-salvage pathway, was crystallized using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. Crystals grew using ammonium sulfate as the precipitant at 293 K. They diffracted to 2.5 A at 100 K using synchrotron radiation and were found to belong to the tetragonal space group P4(1), with unit-cell parameters a = b = 69.2, c = 154.7 A. The asymmetric unit contains two molecules of MtnA, with a VM value of 2.4 A3 Da(-1) and a solvent content of 48%.

Crystal structure of archaeal toxin-antitoxin RelE-RelB complex with implications for toxin activity and antitoxin effects

The Escherichia coli chromosome encodes toxin-antitoxin pairs. The toxin RelE cleaves mRNA positioned at the A-site in ribosomes, whereas the antitoxin RelB relieves the effect of RelE. The hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3 has the archaeal homologs aRelE and aRelB. Here we report the crystal structure of aRelE in complex with aRelB determined at a resolution of 2.3 A. aRelE folds into an alpha/beta structure, whereas aRelB lacks a distinct hydrophobic core and extensively wraps around the molecular surface of aRelE. Neither component shows structural homology to known ribonucleases or their inhibitors. Site-directed mutagenesis suggests that Arg85, in the C-terminal region, is strongly involved in the functional activity of aRelE, whereas Arg40, Leu48, Arg58 and Arg65 play a modest role in the toxin's activity.