Kinetic analysis of the leucyl/phenylalanyl-tRNA-protein transferase with acceptor peptides possessing different N-terminal penultimate residues

Exceptionally versatile – arginine in bacterial post-translational protein modifications

Post-translational modifications (PTM) are the evolutionary solution to challenge and extend the boundaries of genetically predetermined proteomic diversity. As PTMs are highly dynamic, they also hold an enormous regulatory potential. It is therefore not surprising that out of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids, 15 can be post-translationally modified. Even the relatively inert guanidino group of arginine is subject to a multitude of mostly enzyme mediated chemical changes. The resulting alterations can have a major influence on protein function. In this review, we will discuss how bacteria control their cellular processes and develop pathogenicity based on post-translational protein-arginine modifications.

Emerging branches of the N-end rule pathways are revealing the sequence complexities of N-termini dependent protein degradation

The N-end rule links the identity of the N-terminal amino acid of a protein to its in vivo half-life, as some N-terminal residues confer metabolic instability to a protein via their recognition by the cellular machinery that targets them for degradation. Since its discovery, the N-end rule has generally been defined as set of rules of whether an N-terminal residue is stabilizing or not. However, recent studies are revealing that the N-terminal code of amino acids conferring protein instability is more complex than previously appreciated, as recent investigations are revealing that the identity of adjoining downstream residues can also influence the metabolic stability of N-end rule substrate. This is exemplified by the recent discovery of a new branch of N-end rule pathways that target proteins bearing N-terminal proline. In addition, recent investigations are demonstrating that the molecular machinery in N-termini dependent protein degradation may also target proteins for lysosomal degradation, in addition to proteasome-dependent degradation. Herein, we describe some of the recent advances in N-end rule pathways and discuss some of the implications regarding the emerging additional sequence requirements.

Perspectives and Insights into the Competition for Aminoacyl-tRNAs between the Translational Machinery and for tRNA Dependent Non-Ribosomal Peptide Bond Formation

Aminoacyl-tRNA protein transferases catalyze the transfer of amino acids from aminoacyl-tRNAs to polypeptide substrates. Different forms of these enzymes are found in the different kingdoms of life and have been identified to be central to a wide variety of cellular processes. L/F-transferase is the sole member of this class of enzyme found in Escherichia coli and catalyzes the transfer of leucine to the N-termini of proteins which result in the targeted degradation of the modified protein. Recent investigations on the tRNA specificity of L/F-transferase have revealed the unique recognition nucleotides for a preferred Leu-tRNA^Leu isoacceptor substrate. In addition to discussing this tRNA selectivity by L/F-transferase, we present and discuss a hypothesis and its implications regarding the apparent competition for this aminoacyl-tRNA between L/F-transferase and the translational machinery. Our discussion reveals a hypothetical involvement of the bacterial stringent response that occurs upon amino acid limitation as a potential cellular event that may reduce this competition and provide the opportunity for L/F-transferase to readily increase its access to the pool of aminoacylated tRNA substrates.

Unexpectedly fast transfer of positron-emittable artificial substrate into N-terminus of peptide/protein mediated by wild-type L/F-tRNA-protein transferase

This article demonstrates the fastest enzymatic introduction of a positron emission tomography (PET) probe into acceptor peptides/proteins. It is site-specifically introduced at the basic N-terminus of the acceptors by using L/F-transferase in combination with aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, namely the NEXT-A/PET reaction. Estimated from kinetic analysis, the transfer efficiency of O-(2-fluoromethyl)-L-tyrosine as an artificial amino acid PET probe mediated by the wild-type transferase is almost as good as that of the natural substrate, phenylalanine.

The determination of tRNALeu recognition nucleotides for Escherichia coli L/F transferase

Escherichia coli leucyl/phenylalanyl-tRNA protein transferase catalyzes the tRNA-dependent post-translational addition of amino acids onto the N-terminus of a protein polypeptide substrate. Based on biochemical and structural studies, the current tRNA recognition model by L/F transferase involves the identity of the 3' aminoacyl adenosine and the sequence-independent docking of the D-stem of an aminoacyl-tRNA to the positively charged cluster on L/F transferase. However, this model does not explain the isoacceptor preference observed 40 yr ago. Using in vitro-transcribed tRNA and quantitative MALDI-ToF MS enzyme activity assays, we have confirmed that, indeed, there is a strong preference for the most abundant leucyl-tRNA, tRNA(Leu) (anticodon 5'-CAG-3') isoacceptor for L/F transferase activity. We further investigate the molecular mechanism for this preference using hybrid tRNA constructs. We identified two independent sequence elements in the acceptor stem of tRNA(Leu) (CAG)-a G₃:C₇₀ base pair and a set of 4 nt (C₇₂, A₄:U₆₉, C₆₈)-that are important for the optimal binding and catalysis by L/F transferase. This maps a more specific, sequence-dependent tRNA recognition model of L/F transferase than previously proposed.