The ribosomal A site-bound sense and stop codons are similarly positioned towards the A1823-A1824 dinucleotide of the 18S ribosomal RNA

Structural and functional topography of the human ribosome

This review covers data on the structural organization of functional sites in the human ribosome, namely, the messenger RNA binding center, the binding site of the hepatitis C virus RNA internal ribosome entry site, and the peptidyl transferase center. The data summarized here have been obtained primarily by means of a site-directed cross-linking approach with application of the analogs of the respective ribosomal ligands bearing cross-linkers at the designed positions. These data are discussed taking into consideration available structural data on ribosomes from various kingdoms obtained with the use of cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, and other approaches.

Eukaryote-specific motif of ribosomal protein S15 neighbors A site codon during elongation and termination of translation

The eukaryotic ribosomal protein S15 is a key component of the decoding site in contrast to its prokaryotic counterpart, S19p, which is located away from the mRNA binding track on the ribosome. Here, we determined the oligopeptide of S15 neighboring the A site mRNA codon on the human 80S ribosome with the use of mRNA analogues bearing perfluorophenyl azide-modified nucleotides in the sense or stop codon targeted to the 80S ribosomal A site. The protein was cross-linked to mRNA analogues in specific ribosomal complexes that were obtained in the presence of eRF1 in the experiments with mRNAs bearing stop codon. Digestion of modified S15 with various specific proteolytic agents followed by identification of the resulting modified oligopeptides showed that cross-link was in C-terminal fragment in positions 131-145, most probably, in decapeptide 131-PGIGATHSSR-140. The position of cross-linking site on the S15 protein did not depend on the nature of the A site-bound codon (sense or stop codon) and on the presence of polypeptide chain release factor eRF1 in the ribosomal complexes with mRNA analogues bearing a stop codon. The results indicate an involvement of the mentioned decapeptide in the formation of the ribosomal decoding site during elongation and termination of translation. Alignment of amino acid sequences of eukaryotic S15 and its prokaryotic counterpart, S19p from eubacteria and archaea, revealed that decapeptide PGIGATHSSR in positions 131-140 is strongly conserved in eukaryotes and has minor variations in archaea but has no homology with any sequence in C-terminal part of eubacterial S19p, which suggests involvement of the decapeptide in the translation process in a eukaryote-specific manner.

[Protein S3 fragments neighboring mRNA during elongation and translation termination on the human ribosome]

Protein S3 fragments were determined that crosslink to modified mRNA analogues in positions +5 to +12 relative to the first nucleotide in the P-site binding codon in model complexes mimicking states of ribosomes at the elongation and translation termination steps. The mRNA analogues contained a Phe codon UUU/UUC at the 5'-termini that could predetermine the position of the tRNA(Phe) on the ribosome by the location of P-site binding and perfluorophenylazidobenzoyl group at a nucleotide in various positions 3' of the UUU/UUC codon. The crosslinked S3 protein was isolated from 80S ribosomal complexes irradiated with mild UV light and subjected to cyanogen bromide-induced cleavage at methionine residues with subsequent identification of the crosslinked oligopeptides. An analysis of the positions of modified oligopeptides resulting from the cleavage showed that, in dependence on the positions of modified nucleotides in the mRNA analogue, the crosslinking sites were found in the N-terminal half of the protein (fragment 2-127) and/or in the C-terminal fragment 190-236; the latter reflects a new peculiarity in the structure of the mRNA binding center in the ribosome, unknown to date. The results of crosslinking did not depend on the type of A-site codon or on the presence of translation termination factor eRF1.

Invariant amino acids essential for decoding function of polypeptide release factor eRF1

In eukaryotic ribosome, the N domain of polypeptide release factor eRF1 is involved in decoding stop signals in mRNAs. However, structure of the decoding site remains obscure. Here, we specifically altered the stop codon recognition pattern of human eRF1 by point mutagenesis of the invariant Glu55 and Tyr125 residues in the N domain. The 3D structure of generated eRF1 mutants was not destabilized as demonstrated by calorimetric measurements and calculated free energy perturbations. In mutants, the UAG response was most profoundly and selectively affected. Surprisingly, Glu55Arg mutant completely retained its release activity. Substitution of the aromatic ring in position 125 reduced response toward all stop codons. This result demonstrates the critical importance of Tyr125 for maintenance of the intact structure of the eRF1 decoding site. The results also suggest that Tyr125 is implicated in recognition of the 3d stop codon position and probably forms an H-bond with Glu55. The data point to a pivotal role played by the YxCxxxF motif (positions 125-131) in purine discrimination of the stop codons. We speculate that eRF1 decoding site is formed by a 3D network of amino acids side chains.

Are stop codons recognized by base triplets in the large ribosomal RNA subunit?

The precise mechanism of stop codon recognition in translation termination is still unclear. A previously published study by Ivanov and colleagues proposed a new model for stop codon recognition in which 3-nucleotide Ter-anticodons within the loops of hairpin helices 69 (domain IV) and 89 (domain V) in large ribosomal subunit (LSU) rRNA recognize stop codons to terminate protein translation in eubacteria and certain organelles. We evaluated this model by extensive bioinformatic analysis of stop codons and their putative corresponding Ter-anticodons across a much wider range of species, and found many cases for which it cannot explain the stop codon usage without requiring the involvement of one or more of the eight possible noncomplementary base pairs. Involvement of such base pairs may not be structurally or thermodynamically damaging to the model. However, if, according to the model, Ter-anticodon interaction with stop codons occurs within the ribosomal A-site, the structural stringency which that site imposes on sense codon.tRNA anticodon interaction should also extend to stop codon.Ter-anticodon interactions. Moreover, with Ter-tRNA in place of an aminoacyl-tRNA, for each of the various Ter-anticodons there is a sense codon that can interact with it preferentially by complementary and wobble base-pairing. Both these considerations considerably weaken the arguments put forth previously.

The first position of a codon placed in the A site of the human 80S ribosome contacts nucleotide C1696 of the 18S rRNA as well as proteins S2, S3, S3a, S30, and S15

Messenger RNA analogues (42-mers) containing a GAC codon (aspartic acid) in the middle of their sequence followed by a s(4)UGA stop codon were used to identify the components of the human ribosomal A site in direct contact with the photoactivatable 4-thiouridine (s(4)U) residue. We compared the behavior of the nonphased ribosome-mRNA complex, (-)tRNA(Asp), to the one of the phased complex, (+)tRNA(Asp), in the absence and in the presence of eRF1, the eukaryotic class 1 translation termination factor of human origin. The patterns of cross-links obtained for the three complexes were similar to those previously reported for rabbit ribosomes [Chavatte, L., et al. (2001) Eur. J. Biochem. 268, 2896-2904]. Cross-links involving proteins S2, S3, S3a, and S30 were poorly dependent on the presence of tRNA(Asp) and eRF1. Cross-linking to nucleotide C1696 of 18S rRNA occurred in all complexes, but its yield was at least two times higher in the phased complex with an empty A site than in the nonphased complex or when the A site was occupied by eRF1. In contrast, protein S15 cross-linked only in the phased complex in the absence of eRF1. The data obtained point to notable differences in organization of the decoding site between mammalian and prokaryotic ribosomes and to large internal mobility of the components of the tRNA (eRF1)-free A site.

The central part of the 5.8 S rRNA is differently arranged in programmed and free human ribosomes

A sequence-specific modification of the human 5.8 S rRNA in isolated 60 S subunits, non-programmed 80 S ribosomes and ribosomes complexed with mRNA and tRNAs was studied with the use of a derivative of the nonaribonucleotide UCUGUGUUU bearing a perfluorophenylazide group on the C-5 atom of the 5'-terminal uridine. Part of the oligonucleotide moiety of the derivative was complementary to the 5.8 S rRNA sequence ACACA in positions 82-86 flanked by two guanines at the 5'-terminus. The target for the cross-linking was identified as nucleotide G89 on the 5.8 S RNA. In addition, several ribosomal proteins were modified by the oligonucleotide derivative bound to the 5.8 S rRNA and proteins L6 and L8 were among them. Application of these results to known cryo-electron microscopy images of eukaryotic 60 S subunits made it possible to suggest that the central part of the 5.8 S rRNA containing the sequence 82-86 and proteins L6 and L8 are located at the base of the L1 stalk of the 60 S subunit. The efficacy of cross-linking in non-programmed 80 S ribosomes was much lower than in isolated 60 S subunits and in programmed 80 S ribosomes. We suggest that the difference in the accessibilities of the central part of the 5.8 S rRNA in the programmed and non-programmed 80 S ribosomes is caused by a conformational switch that seems to be required to dissociate the 80 S ribosomes into the subunits after termination of translation to allow initiation of translation of a new template.

Variable and conserved elements of human ribosomes surrounding the mRNA at the decoding and upstream sites

This study is centred upon an important biological problem concerning the structural organization of mammalian ribosomes that cannot be studied by X-ray analysis because 80S ribosome crystals are still unavailable. Here, positioning of the mRNA on 80S ribosomes was studied using mRNA analogues containing the perfluorophenylazide cross-linker on either the guanosine or an uridine residue. The modified nucleotides were directed to positions from -9 to +6 with respect to the first nucleotide of the P site bound codon by a tRNA cognate to the triplet targeted to the P site. Upon mild UV-irradiation, the modified nucleotides at positions +4 to +6 cross-linked to protein S15 and 18S rRNA nucleotides A1823-A1825. In addition, modified guanosines in positions +5 and +6 also cross-linked to G626, and in position +1 to G1702. Cross-linking from the upstream positions was mainly to protein S26 that has no prokaryotic homologues. These findings indicate that the tail of mammalian S15 comes closer to the decoding site than that of its prokaryotic homologue S19, and that the environments of the upstream part of mRNA on 80S and 70S ribosomes differ. On the other hand, the results confirm the widely accepted idea regarding the conserved nature of the decoding site of the small subunit rRNA.