1
|
Li W, Agrawal RK. Joachim Frank's Binding with the Ribosome. Structure 2019; 27:411-419. [PMID: 30595455 PMCID: PMC11062599 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
With recent technological advancements, single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is now the technique of choice to study structure and function of biological macromolecules at near-atomic resolution. Many single-particle EM reconstruction methods necessary for these advances were pioneered by Joachim Frank, and were optimized using the ribosome as a benchmark specimen. In doing so, he made several landmark contributions to the understanding of the structure and function of ribosomes. These include the first 3D visualization of ribosome-bound transfer RNAs, the first experimentally derived structures of the primary complexes formed during the bacterial translation elongation cycle, and the critical ribosomal conformational transitions required for translation. Over the years, his laboratory studied many important functional complexes of the ribosome from both eubacterial and eukaryotic systems, including ribosomes from pathogenic organisms. This article presents a brief account of the contributions made by Joachim Frank to the ribosome field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Rajendra K Agrawal
- Division of Translational Medicine, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Helm M, Kobitski AY, Nienhaus GU. Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer studies of RNA structure, dynamics and function. Biophys Rev 2009; 1:161. [PMID: 28510027 PMCID: PMC5418384 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-009-0018-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2009] [Accepted: 10/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy experiments on RNA molecules brought to light the highly complex dynamics of key biological processes, including RNA folding, catalysis of ribozymes, ligand sensing of riboswitches and aptamers, and protein synthesis in the ribosome. By using highly advanced biophysical spectroscopy techniques in combination with sophisticated biochemical synthesis approaches, molecular dynamics of individual RNA molecules can be observed in real time and under physiological conditions in unprecedented detail that cannot be achieved with bulk experiments. Here, we review recent advances in RNA folding and functional studies of RNA and RNA-protein complexes addressed by using single-molecule Förster (fluorescence) resonance energy transfer (smFRET) technique.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Helm
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Andrei Yu Kobitski
- Institute of Applied Physics and Center for Functional Nanostructures (CFN), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76128, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - G Ulrich Nienhaus
- Institute of Applied Physics and Center for Functional Nanostructures (CFN), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76128, Karlsruhe, Germany
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Prinz A, Behrens C, Rapoport TA, Hartmann E, Kalies KU. Evolutionarily conserved binding of ribosomes to the translocation channel via the large ribosomal RNA. EMBO J 2000; 19:1900-6. [PMID: 10775273 PMCID: PMC302021 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/19.8.1900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During early stages of cotranslational protein translocation across the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane the ribosome is targeted to the heterotrimeric Sec61p complex, the major component of the protein-conducting channel. We demonstrate that this interaction is mediated by the 28S rRNA of the eukaryotic large ribosomal subunit. Bacterial ribosomes also bind via their 23S rRNA to the bacterial homolog of the Sec61p complex, the SecYEG complex. Eukaryotic ribosomes bind to the SecYEG complex, and prokaryotic ribosomes to the Sec61p complex. These data indicate that rRNA-mediated interaction of ribosomes with the translocation channel occurred early in evolution and has been conserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Prinz
- Abteilung Biochemie II, Zentrum Biochemie und Molekulare Zellbiologie, Georg-August-Universität, Heinrich-Düker-Weg 12, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Baker TS, Olson NH, Fuller SD. Adding the third dimension to virus life cycles: three-dimensional reconstruction of icosahedral viruses from cryo-electron micrographs. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 1999; 63:862-922, table of contents. [PMID: 10585969 PMCID: PMC98980 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.63.4.862-922.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 432] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses are cellular parasites. The linkage between viral and host functions makes the study of a viral life cycle an important key to cellular functions. A deeper understanding of many aspects of viral life cycles has emerged from coordinated molecular and structural studies carried out with a wide range of viral pathogens. Structural studies of viruses by means of cryo-electron microscopy and three-dimensional image reconstruction methods have grown explosively in the last decade. Here we review the use of cryo-electron microscopy for the determination of the structures of a number of icosahedral viruses. These studies span more than 20 virus families. Representative examples illustrate the use of moderate- to low-resolution (7- to 35-A) structural analyses to illuminate functional aspects of viral life cycles including host recognition, viral attachment, entry, genome release, viral transcription, translation, proassembly, maturation, release, and transmission, as well as mechanisms of host defense. The success of cryo-electron microscopy in combination with three-dimensional image reconstruction for icosahedral viruses provides a firm foundation for future explorations of more-complex viral pathogens, including the vast number that are nonspherical or nonsymmetrical.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T S Baker
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1392, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
A recent structural study of a double-stranded DNA bacteriophage has provided remarkable new insights into the assembly of a complex virus particle and ushers in a new era in the imaging of non-icosahedral viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W R Wikoff
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
Significant progress is occurring at an accelerated rate in structural studies of ribosomes. A 3D cryoelectron microscopy map of the 70S ribosome from Escherichia coli is available at 15 A resolution and a combination of cryoelectron microscopy with X-ray crystallography has yielded a 9 A resolution map of the 50S subunit from Haloarcula marismortui, an archaebacterium. For eukaryotes, 3D cryomaps of the 80S ribosomes from yeast and from mammals have now been produced at resolutions in the range 20 to 30 A. The most ground-breaking results have been obtained from the 3D mapping of ligands in functional studies of prokaryotic ribosomes. These studies, which directly visualize the protein synthesis machine in action, have brought new excitement to a field that was relatively dormant during the past decade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R K Agrawal
- Wadsworth Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12201-0509, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Frank J. The ribosome-structure and functional ligand-binding experiments using cryo-electron microscopy. J Struct Biol 1998; 124:142-50. [PMID: 10049802 DOI: 10.1006/jsbi.1998.4071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cryo-electron microscopy has greatly advanced our understanding of the basic steps of protein synthesis in the bacterial ribosome. This article gives an overview of what has been achieved so far. Through three-dimensional visualization of complexes that represent the ribosome in defined binding states, locations were derived for the tRNA in A, P, and E sites, as well as the elongation factors. In addition, the pathways of messenger RNA and the exiting polypeptide chain could be inferred.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Frank
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Wadsworth Center, Albany, New York, 12201-0509, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
Our understanding of the relationship between the structure of RNA and its catalytic activity has advanced significantly in the past year. These advances include time-resolved crystallographic studies on the hammerhead ribozyme, as well as new structures of a group I intron, a lead(II)-cleavage ribozyme, a hepatitis delta virus ribozyme, and components of the spliceosome machinery and the peptidyl transferase center of the ribosome and, most significantly, the structure of the ribosome itself.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W G Scott
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The Center for Molecular Biology of RNA Sinsheimer Laboratories University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz CA 95064 USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Stoldt M, Wöhnert J, Görlach M, Brown LR. The NMR structure of Escherichia coli ribosomal protein L25 shows homology to general stress proteins and glutaminyl-tRNA synthetases. EMBO J 1998; 17:6377-84. [PMID: 9799245 PMCID: PMC1170962 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/17.21.6377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The structure of the Escherichia coli ribosomal protein L25 has been determined to an r.m.s. displacement of backbone heavy atoms of 0.62 +/- 0.14 A by multi-dimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy on protein samples uniformly labeled with 15N or 15N/13C. L25 shows a new topology for RNA-binding proteins consisting of a six-stranded beta-barrel and two alpha-helices. A putative RNA-binding surface for L25 has been obtained by comparison of backbone 15N chemical shifts for L25 with and without a bound cognate RNA containing the eubacterial E-loop that is the site for binding of L25 to 5S ribosomal RNA. Sequence comparisons with related proteins, including the general stress protein, CTC, show that the residues involved in RNA binding are highly conserved, thereby providing further confirmation of the binding surface. Tertiary structure comparisons indicate that the six-stranded beta-barrels of L25 and of the tRNA anticodon-binding domain of glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase are similar.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Stoldt
- Abteilung Molekulare Biophysik/NMR Spektroskopie, Institut für Molekulare Biotechnologie e. V., Postfach 100813, 07708 Jena, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Jünemann R, Burkhardt N, Wadzack J, Schmitt M, Willumeit R, Stuhrmann HB, Nierhaus KH. Small angle scattering in ribosomal structure research: localization of the messenger RNA within ribosomal elongation states. Biol Chem 1998; 379:807-18. [PMID: 9705144 DOI: 10.1515/bchm.1998.379.7.807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Besides EM and biochemical studies small angle scattering (SAS) examinations have contributed significantly to our current knowledge about the ribosomal structure. SAS does not only allow the validation of competing models but permits independent model building. However, the major contribution of SAS to ribosomal structure research derived from its ability to reveal the spatial distribution of the individual ribosomal components (57 in the E. coli ribosome) within the ribosomal structure. More recently, an improved scattering method (proton-spin contrast variation) made it possible also to address the question of mapping functional ligands in defined ribosomal elongation states. Here, we review the contributions of SAS to the current understanding of the ribosome. Furthermore we present the direct localization of a small mRNA fragment within 70S elongation complexes and describe its movement upon the translocation reaction. The successful mapping of this fragment comprising only about 0.6% of the total mass of the complex proves that proton-spin contrast-variation is a powerful tool in modern ribosome research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Jünemann
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Genetik, AG Ribosomen, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bertho G, Gharbi-Benarous J, Delaforge M, Girault JP. Transferred nuclear Overhauser effect study of macrolide-ribosome interactions: correlation between antibiotic activities and bound conformations. Bioorg Med Chem 1998; 6:209-21. [PMID: 9547944 DOI: 10.1016/s0968-0896(97)10028-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The study of macrolide-ribosome interactions has been investigated using two-dimensional transferred nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (TRNOESY). A new medically important macrolide antibiotic, roxithromycin, with the replacement of the 9-keto group in erythromycin by a 9-oxime chain, was studied in the complex state with the bacterial ribosome. Analysis of transferred nuclear Overhauser effect (TRNOE) experiment resulted in a set of constraints for all protons pairs. These constraints were used in structure determination procedures based on molecular modelling to obtain a bound structure compatible with the experimental NMR data. The results compared with the conformational analysis of the substrate in solution indicate that only one specific conformation is preferred in the bound state while in the free state the sugar ring moities were relatively disordered. The bioactive macrolide antibiotics studied roxithromycin and erythromycin which displayed a strong NMR response, are metabolized in RU39001 and erythralosamine respectively which do not retain antimicrobial activity. The inactive major metabolites were used to define if TRNOEs observation may be characteristic of a biological activity. These control experiments gave essentially blank TRNOESY spectra. This study shows that Mg2+ does not play a direct role for the low affinity binding site studied by TRNOE what is in agreement with an hypothesis of two distinct binding levels, with a low affinity binding level necessary for the tight binding one.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Bertho
- Université René Descartes-Paris V, Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques (URA 400 CNRS), France
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
Molecular biologists have been remarkably successful in dividing large RNAs into small functional modules manageable for NMR and X-ray studies. At the same time biophysical, biochemical and genetic tools in RNA structure determination have reached a level of sophistication, at which we start to see a glimpse of molecular dynamics and the mechanism of RNA mediated catalysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Kjems
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark.
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
The interaction between tRNA and the ribosome during translation, specifically during elongation, constitutes an example of the motion and adaptability of living molecules. Recent results obtained by cryoelectron microscopy of "naked" ribosomes and ribosomes in functional binding states shine some light on this fundamental life-sustaining process. Inspection of the surface contour of our reconstruction reveals a precise "lock-and-key" fit between the intersubunit space and the tRNA molecule.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Frank
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany 12201-0509, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Liljas A, al-Karadaghi S. Structural aspects of protein synthesis. NATURE STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 1997; 4:767-71. [PMID: 9334736 DOI: 10.1038/nsb1097-767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
|
15
|
Spencer SM, Sgro JY, Dryden KA, Baker TS, Nibert ML. IRIS explorer software for radial-depth cueing reovirus particles and other macromolecular structures determined by cryoelectron microscopy and image reconstruction. J Struct Biol 1997; 120:11-21. [PMID: 9361260 DOI: 10.1006/jsbi.1997.3902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Structures of biological macromolecules determined by transmission cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and three-dimensional image reconstruction are often displayed as surface-shaded representations with depth cueing along the viewed direction (Z cueing). Depth cueing to indicate distance from the center of virus particles (radial-depth cueing, or R cueing) has also been used. We have found that a style of R cueing in which color is applied in smooth or discontinuous gradients using the IRIS Explorer software is an informative technique for displaying the structures of virus particles solved by cryo-TEM and image reconstruction. To develop and test these methods, we used existing cryo-TEM reconstructions of mammalian reovirus particles. The newly applied visualization techniques allowed us to discern several new structural features, including sites in the inner capsid through which the viral mRNAs may be extruded after they are synthesized by the reovirus transcriptase complexes. To demonstrate the broad utility of the methods, we also applied them to cryo-TEM reconstructions of human rhinovirus, native and swollen forms of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus, truncated core of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and flagellar filament of Salmonella typhimurium. We conclude that R cueing with color gradients is a useful tool for displaying virus particles and other macromolecules analyzed by cryo-TEM and image reconstruction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S M Spencer
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|