Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from yeast: generality of chemical proofreading in the prevention of misaminoacylation of tRNA

Trans-editing by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-like editing domains

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) are ubiquitous enzymes responsible for aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) synthesis. Correctly formed aa-tRNAs are necessary for proper decoding of mRNA and accurate protein synthesis. tRNAs possess specific nucleobases that promote selective recognition by cognate aaRSs. Selecting the cognate amino acid can be more challenging because all amino acids share the same peptide backbone and several are isosteric or have similar side chains. Thus, aaRSs can misactivate non-cognate amino acids and produce mischarged aa-tRNAs. If left uncorrected, mischarged aa-tRNAs deliver their non-cognate amino acid to the ribosome resulting in misincorporation into the nascent polypeptide chain. This changes the primary protein sequence and potentially causes misfolding or formation of non-functional proteins that impair cell survival. A variety of proofreading or editing pathways exist to prevent and correct mistakes in aa-tRNA formation. Editing may occur before the amino acid transfer step of aminoacylation via hydrolysis of the aminoacyl-adenylate. Alternatively, post-transfer editing, which occurs after the mischarged aa-tRNA is formed, may be carried out via a distinct editing site on the aaRS where the mischarged aa-tRNA is deacylated. In recent years, it has become clear that most organisms also encode factors that lack aminoacylation activity but resemble aaRS editing domains and function to clear mischarged aa-tRNAs in trans. This review focuses on these trans-editing factors, which are encoded in all three domains of life and function together with editing domains present within aaRSs to ensure that the accuracy of protein synthesis is sufficient for cell survival.

Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases in the Bacterial World

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are modular enzymes globally conserved in the three kingdoms of life. All catalyze the same two-step reaction, i.e., the attachment of a proteinogenic amino acid on their cognate tRNAs, thereby mediating the correct expression of the genetic code. In addition, some aaRSs acquired other functions beyond this key role in translation. Genomics and X-ray crystallography have revealed great structural diversity in aaRSs (e.g., in oligomery and modularity, in ranking into two distinct groups each subdivided in 3 subgroups, by additional domains appended on the catalytic modules). AaRSs show huge structural plasticity related to function and limited idiosyncrasies that are kingdom or even species specific (e.g., the presence in many Bacteria of non discriminating aaRSs compensating for the absence of one or two specific aaRSs, notably AsnRS and/or GlnRS). Diversity, as well, occurs in the mechanisms of aaRS gene regulation that are not conserved in evolution, notably between distant groups such as Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria. The review focuses on bacterial aaRSs (and their paralogs) and covers their structure, function, regulation, and evolution. Structure/function relationships are emphasized, notably the enzymology of tRNA aminoacylation and the editing mechanisms for correction of activation and charging errors. The huge amount of genomic and structural data that accumulated in last two decades is reviewed, showing how the field moved from essentially reductionist biology towards more global and integrated approaches. Likewise, the alternative functions of aaRSs and those of aaRS paralogs (e.g., during cell wall biogenesis and other metabolic processes in or outside protein synthesis) are reviewed. Since aaRS phylogenies present promiscuous bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryal features, similarities and differences in the properties of aaRSs from the three kingdoms of life are pinpointed throughout the review and distinctive characteristics of bacterium-like synthetases from organelles are outlined.

Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases in the Bacterial World

Aminoacyl-tRNAsynthetases (aaRSs) are modular enzymesglobally conserved in the three kingdoms of life. All catalyze the same two-step reaction, i.e., the attachment of a proteinogenic amino acid on their cognate tRNAs, thereby mediating the correct expression of the genetic code. In addition, some aaRSs acquired other functions beyond this key role in translation.Genomics and X-ray crystallography have revealed great structural diversity in aaRSs (e.g.,in oligomery and modularity, in ranking into two distinct groups each subdivided in 3 subgroups, by additional domains appended on the catalytic modules). AaRSs show hugestructural plasticity related to function andlimited idiosyncrasies that are kingdom or even speciesspecific (e.g.,the presence in many Bacteria of non discriminating aaRSs compensating for the absence of one or two specific aaRSs, notably AsnRS and/or GlnRS).Diversity, as well, occurs in the mechanisms of aaRS gene regulation that are not conserved in evolution, notably betweendistant groups such as Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria.Thereview focuses on bacterial aaRSs (and their paralogs) and covers their structure, function, regulation,and evolution. Structure/function relationships are emphasized, notably the enzymology of tRNA aminoacylation and the editing mechanisms for correction of activation and charging errors. The huge amount of genomic and structural data that accumulatedin last two decades is reviewed,showing how thefield moved from essentially reductionist biologytowards more global and integrated approaches. Likewise, the alternative functions of aaRSs and those of aaRSparalogs (e.g., during cellwall biogenesis and other metabolic processes in or outside protein synthesis) are reviewed. Since aaRS phylogenies present promiscuous bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryal features, similarities and differences in the properties of aaRSs from the three kingdoms of life are pinpointedthroughout the reviewand distinctive characteristics of bacterium-like synthetases from organelles are outlined.

Quality control in aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis its role in translational fidelity

Accurate translation of mRNA into protein is vital for maintenance of cellular integrity. Translational fidelity is achieved by two key events: synthesis of correctly paired aminoacyl-tRNAs by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) and stringent selection of aminoacyl-tRNAs (aa-tRNAs) by the ribosome. AaRSs define the genetic code by catalyzing the formation of precise aminoacyl ester-linked tRNAs via a two-step reaction. AaRSs ensure faithful aa-tRNA synthesis via high substrate selectivity and/or by proofreading (editing) of noncognate products. About half of the aaRSs rely on proofreading mechanisms to achieve high levels of accuracy in aminoacylation. Editing functions in aaRSs contribute to the overall low error rate in protein synthesis. Over 40 years of research on aaRSs using structural, biochemical, and kinetic approaches has expanded our knowledge of their cellular roles and quality control mechanisms. Here, we review aaRS editing with an emphasis on the mechanistic and kinetic details of the process.

Quality control in tRNA charging

Faithful translation of the genetic code during protein synthesis is fundamental to the growth, development, and function of living organisms. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs), which define the genetic code by correctly pairing amino acids with their cognate tRNAs, are responsible for 'quality control' in the flow of information from a gene to a protein. When differences in binding energies of amino acids to an AARS are inadequate, editing is used to achieve high selectivity. Editing occurs at the synthetic active site by hydrolysis of noncognate aminoacyl-adenylates (pretransfer editing) and at a dedicated editing site located in a separate domain by deacylation of mischarged aminoacyl-tRNA (posttransfer editing). Access of nonprotein amino acids, such as homocysteine or ornithine, to the genetic code is prevented by the editing function of AARSs, which functionally partitions amino acids present in living cells into protein and nonprotein amino acids. Continuous editing is part of the tRNA aminoacylation process in living organisms from bacteria to human beings. Preventing mistranslation by the clearance of misactivated amino acids is crucial to cellular homeostasis and has a role in etiology of disease. Although there is a strong selective pressure to minimize mistranslation, some organisms possess error-prone AARSs that cause mistranslation. Elevated levels of mistranslation and the synthesis of statistical proteins can be beneficial for pathogens by increasing phenotypic variation essential for the evasion of host defenses.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors as potent and synergistic immunosuppressants

The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase family of enzymes is the target of many antibacterials and inhibitors of eukaryotic hyperproliferation. In screening analogues of 5'-O-(N-L-aminoacyl)-sulfamoyladenosine containing all 20 proteinogenic amino acids, we found these compounds to have potent immunosuppressive activity. Also, we found that combinations of these compounds inhibited the immune response synergistically. Based on these data, analogues with modifications at the aminoacyl and ribose moieties were designed and evaluated, and several of these showed high immunosuppressive potency, with one compound having an IC50 of 80 nM, when tested in a cellular mixed lymphocyte reaction assay. Apart from showing the potential of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors as immunosuppressants, the current study also provides arguments for careful evaluation of the immunosuppressive activity of developmental antibacterials that target these enzymes.

Loss of editing activity during the evolution of mitochondrial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase

Accurate selection of amino acids is essential for faithful translation of the genetic code. Errors during amino acid selection are usually corrected by the editing activity of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases such as phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetases (PheRS), which edit misactivated tyrosine. Comparison of cytosolic and mitochondrial PheRS from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggested that the organellar protein might lack the editing activity. Yeast cytosolic PheRS was found to contain an editing site, which upon disruption abolished both cis and trans editing of Tyr-tRNA(Phe). Wild-type mitochondrial PheRS lacked cis and trans editing and could synthesize Tyr-tRNA(Phe), an activity enhanced in active site variants with improved tyrosine recognition. Possible trans editing was investigated in isolated mitochondrial extracts, but no such activity was detected. These data indicate that the mitochondrial protein synthesis machinery lacks the tyrosine proofreading activity characteristic of cytosolic translation. This difference between the mitochondria and the cytosol suggests that either organellar protein synthesis quality control is focused on another step or that translation in this compartment is inherently less accurate than in the cytosol.

Species-specific differences in amino acid editing by class II prolyl-tRNA synthetase

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are a family of enzymes responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the genetic code by specifically attaching a particular amino acid to their cognate tRNA substrates. Through primary sequence alignments, prolyl-tRNA synthetases (ProRSs) have been divided into two phylogenetically divergent groups. We have been interested in understanding whether the unusual evolutionary pattern of ProRSs corresponds to functional differences as well. Previously, we showed that some features of tRNA recognition and aminoacylation are indeed group-specific. Here, we examine the species-specific differences in another enzymatic activity, namely amino acid editing. Proofreading or editing provides a mechanism by which incorrectly activated amino acids are hydrolyzed and thus prevented from misincorporation into proteins. "Prokaryotic-like" Escherichia coli ProRS has recently been shown to be capable of misactivating alanine and possesses both pretransfer and post-transfer hydrolytic editing activity against this noncognate amino acid. We now find that two ProRSs belonging to the "eukaryotic-like" group exhibit differences in their hydrolytic editing activity. Whereas ProRS from Methanococcus jannaschii is similar to E. coli in its ability to hydrolyze misactivated alanine via both pretransfer and post-transfer editing pathways, human ProRS lacks these activities. These results have implications for the selection or design of antibiotics that specifically target the editing active site of the prokaryotic-like group of ProRSs.

Valyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli MALDI-MS identification of the binding sites for L-valine or for noncognate amino acids upon qualitative comparative labeling with reactive amino-acid analogs

Bromomethyl ketone derivatives of L-valine (VBMK), L-isoleucine (IBMK), L-norleucine (NleBMK) and L-phenylalanine (FBMK) were synthesized. These reagents were used for qualitative comparative labeling of Escherichia coli valyl-tRNA synthetase (ValRS), an enzyme with Val/Ile editing activity, in order to identify the binding sites for L-valine or noncognate amino acids. Labeling of E. coli ValRS with the substrate analog valyl-bromomethyl ketone (VBMK) resulted in a complete loss of valine-dependent isotopic [32P]PPi-ATP exchange activity. L-Valine protected the enzyme against inactivation. Noncognate amino acids analogs isoleucyl-, norleucyl- and phenylalanyl-bromomethyl ketones (IBMK, NleBMK and FBMK) were also capable of abolishing the activity of ValRS, FBMK being less efficient in inactivating the synthetase. Matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry designated cysteines 424 and 829 as the target residues of the substrate analog VBMK on E. coli ValRS, whereas, altogether, IBMK, NleBMK and FBMK labeled His266, Cys275, His282, His433 and Cys829, of which Cys275, His282 and His433 were labeled in common by all three noncognate amino-acid-derived bromomethyl ketones. With the exception of Cys829, which was most likely unspecifically labeled, the amino-acid residues labeled by the reagents derived from noncognate amino acids were distributed between two fragments 259-291 and 419-434 in the primary structure of E. coli ValRS. In fragment 419-434, Cys424 was specifically labeled by the substrate analog VBMK, while His433 was labeled in common by all the used bromomethyl ketone derivatives of noncognate amino acids, suggesting that the synthetic site where aminoacyl adenylate formation takes place on E. coli ValRS is built up of two subsites. One subsite containing Cys424 might represent the catalytic locus of the active center where specific L-valine activation takes place. The second subsite containing His433 might represent the binding site for noncognate amino acids. The fact that Cys275 and His282, fragment 259-291, were labeled by IBMK, NleBMK and FBMK, but not by the substrate analog VBMK, suggests that these residues might be located at or near the editing site of E. coli ValRS. Comparison of fragment 259-291 with all the available ValRS amino-acid sequences revealed that His282 is strictly conserved, with the exception of its replacement by a glycine in a subgroup corresponding to the archaebacteria. Because a nucleophile is needed in the editing site to achieve hydrolysis of an undesired product at the level of the carbonyl group thereof, it is proposed that the conserved His282 of E. coli ValRS is involved in editing.

The class II aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and their active site: evolutionary conservation of an ATP binding site

Previous sequence analyses have suggested the existence of two distinct classes of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. The partition was established on the basis of exclusive sets of sequence motifs (Eriani et al. [1990] Nature 347:203-306). X-ray studies have now well defined the structural basis of the two classes: the class I enzymes share with dehydrogenases and kinases the classic nucleotide binding fold called the Rossmann fold, whereas the class II enzymes possess a different fold, not found elsewhere, built around a six-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet. The two classes of synthetases catalyze the same global reaction that is the attachment of an amino acid to the tRNA, but differ as to where on the terminal adenosine of the tRNA the amino acid is placed: class I enzymes act on the 2' hydroxyl whereas the class II enzymes prefer the 3' hydroxyl group. The three-dimensional structure of aspartyl-tRNA synthetase from yeast, a typical class II enzyme, is described here, in relation to its function. The crucial role of the sequence motifs in substrate binding and enzyme structure is high-lighted. Overall these results underline the existence of an intimate evolutionary link between the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, despite their actual structural diversity.

Substrate specificity of L-delta-(alpha-aminoadipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine synthetase from Cephalosporium acremonium: demonstration of the structure of several unnatural tripeptide products

Potential substrates for L-delta-(alpha-aminoadipoyl)-L-(cysteinyl)-D-valine (ACV) synthetase were initially identified using both the amino-acid-dependent ATP<-->pyrophosphate exchange reaction catalysed by the enzyme and the incorporation of 14C-radiolabelled cysteine and valine into potential peptide products. S-Carboxymethylcysteine was an effective substitute for alpha-aminoadipate and both allylglycine and vinylglycine could substitute for cysteine, indicating that the thiol group of cysteine is not essential for peptide formation. L-allo-Isoleucine but not L-isoleucine substituted effectively for valine. The structures of the presumed peptide products derived from these amino acids were confirmed by combined use of electrospray-ionization m.s. (e.s.m.s.) and 1H n.m.r. These results clearly indicate that, in common with other peptide synthetases, but in contrast with ribosomal peptide synthesis, ACV synthetase has a relatively broad substrate specificity.

Influence of fractal kinetics on molecular recognition

Molecular recognition is a central issue for nearly every biological mechanism. The analysis of molecular recognition to date has been conducted within the framework of classical chemical kinetics, in which the kinetic orders of a reaction have positive integer values. However, recent theoretical and experimental advances have shown that the assumptions inherent in this classical framework are invalid under a variety of conditions in which the reaction environment may be considered nonideal. A good example is provided by reactions that are spatially constrained and diffusion limited. Bimolecular reactions confined within two-dimensional membranes, one-dimensional channels or fractal surfaces in general exhibit kinetic orders that are noninteger. An appropriate framework for the study of these nonideal phenomena is provided by the Power-Law formalism, which includes as special cases the Mass-Action formalism of chemical kinetics and the Michaelis-Menten formalism of enzyme kinetics. The Power-Law formalism is an appropriate representation not only for fractal kinetics per se, but also for other nonideal kinetic phenomena, provided the range of variation in concentration is not too large. After defining some elementary concepts of molecular recognition, and showing how these are manifested in classical kinetic terms, this paper contrasts the implications of classical and fractal kinetics in a few simple cases. The principal distinction lies in the ability of fractal kinetics to nonlinearly transform, rather than proportionally transmit, the input S/N ratio. As a consequence, fractal kinetics create a threshold for the input signal below which no recognition occurs and above which amplified recognition takes place.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase family: modules at work

The combined use of molecular and structural biology techniques has proved very efficient in elucidating structure-function relationships in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Our present understanding of this family of enzymes is based on two main unifying principles: (i) division into two different classes, corresponding to two different modes of ATP binding and attachment of the activated amino acid to the last nucleotide of tRNA (either 2'OH or 3'OH of the ribose) by two different catalytic mechanisms and two structural domains with completely different folding, and (ii) the modular organization into separate and additional domains that we are just beginning to understand. Sequence analysis complements very nicely existing structural, biochemical and genetic results and makes them more general, leading to verifiable predictions.

Editing of errors in selection of amino acids for protein synthesis

All living cells must conduct protein synthesis with a high degree of accuracy maintained in the transmission and flow of information from gene to finished protein product. One crucial "quality control" point in maintaining a high level of accuracy is the selectivity by which aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases furnish correctly activated amino acids, attached to tRNA species, as the building blocks for growing protein chains. During selection of amino acids, synthetases very often have to distinguish the cognate substrate from a homolog having just one fewer methyl group in its structure. The binding energy of a methyl group is estimated to contribute only a factor of 100 to the specificity of binding, yet synthetases distinguish such closely related amino acids with a discrimination factor of 10,000 to 100,000. Examples of this include methionine versus homocysteine, isoleucine versus valine, alanine versus glycine, and threonine versus serine. Many investigators have demonstrated in vitro the ability of certain aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases to edit, that is, correct or prevent incorrect attachment of amino acids to tRNA molecules. Several major editing pathways are now established from in vitro data. Further, at least some aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases have recently been shown to carry out the editing function in vivo. Editing has been demonstrated to occur in both Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Significant energy is expended by the cell for editing of misactivated amino acids, which can be reflected in the growth rate. Because of this, cellular levels of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, as well as amino acid biosynthetic pathways which yield competing substrates for protein synthesis, must be carefully regulated to prevent excessive editing. High-level expression of recombinant proteins imposes a strain on the biosynthetic capacity of the cell which frequently results in misincorporation of abnormal or wrong amino acids owing in part to limited editing by synthetases. Unbalanced amino acid pools associated with some genetic disorders in humans may also lead to errors in tRNA aminoacylation. The availability of X-ray crystallographic structures of some synthetases, combined with site-directed mutagenesis, allows insights into molecular details of the extraordinary selectivity of synthetases, including the editing function.

A general method for site-specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins

A new method has been developed that makes it possible to site-specifically incorporate unnatural amino acids into proteins. Synthetic amino acids were incorporated into the enzyme beta-lactamase by the use of a chemically acylated suppressor transfer RNA that inserted the amino acid in response to a stop codon substituted for the codon encoding residue of interest. Peptide mapping localized the inserted amino acid to a single peptide, and enough enzyme could be generated for purification to homogeneity. The catalytic properties of several mutants at the conserved Phe66 were characterized. The ability to selectively replace amino acids in a protein with a wide variety of structural and electronic variants should provide a more detailed understanding of protein structure and function.

Accuracy of in vivo aminoacylation requires proper balance of tRNA and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase

The fidelity of protein biosynthesis in any cell rests on the accuracy of aminoacylation of tRNA. The exquisite specificity of this reaction is critically dependent on the correct recognition of tRNA by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. It is shown here that the relative concentrations of a tRNA and its cognate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase are normally well balanced and crucial for maintenance of accurate aminoacylation. When Escherichia coli Gln-tRNA synthetase is overproduced in vivo, it incorrectly acylates the supF amber suppressor tRNA(Tyr) with Gln. This effect is abolished when the intracellular concentration of the cognate tRNA(Gln2) is also elevate. These data indicate that the presence of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and the cognate tRNAs in complexed form, which requires the proper balance of the two macromolecules, is critical in maintaining the fidelity of protein biosynthesis. Thus, limits exist on the relative levels of tRNAs and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases within a cell.

Interaction of lysinoalanine with the protein synthesizing apparatus

Lysinoalanine [N epsilon-(DL-2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-L-lysine; LAL], a nephrotoxic lysine analog, inhibits the lysyl-tRNA-synthetase (EC 6.1.1.6) of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells competitively at micromolar concentrations. Incorporation of [14C]lysine into protein by a cell-free eukaryotic protein-synthesizing system was inhibited by LAL. Inhibition was 69.7% and 18.4% at LAL concentrations of 1.0 mM and 0.1 mM, respectively. LAL was incorporated into protein as well as being an inhibitor as indicated by the incorporation of [14C]LAL into protein by the cell-free eukaryote protein-synthesizing system. The proteins labeled with [14C]LAL co-electrophoresed with those labeled with [14C]lysine. These results indicate that LAL is an inhibitor of both prokaryote and eukaryote lysyl-tRNA-synthetase. Furthermore, it is incorporated into protein. Both of these actions can be factors in the nephrotoxicity of this common food contaminant. Possible mechanisms for the toxicity of lysinoalanine are discussed.

The proofreading of hydroxy analogues of leucine and isoleucine by leucyl-tRNA synthetases from E. coli and yeast

Three analogues each of leucine and isoleucine carrying hydroxy groups in gamma- or delta- or gamma- and delta-position have been synthesized, and tested in the aminoacylation by leucyl-tRNA synthetases from E. coli and yeast. Hydrolytic proofreading, as proposed in the chemical proofreading model, of these analogues and of homocysteine should result in a lactonisation of these compounds and therefore provide information regarding the proofreading mechanism of the two leucyl-tRNA synthetases. Leucyl-tRNA synthetase from E. coli shows a high initial substrate discrimination. Only two analogues, gamma-hydroxyleucine and homocysteine are activated and transferred to tRNALeu where a post-transfer proofreading occurs. Lactonisation of gamma-hydroxyleucine and homocysteine could be detected. Leucyl-tRNA synthetase from yeast has a relatively poor initial discrimination of these substrates, which is compensated by a very effective pre-transfer proofreading on the aminoacyl-adenylate level. No lactonisation nor mischarged tRNALeu is detectable.

Biochemical comparison of the Neurospora crassa wild type and the temperature-sensitive and leucine-auxotroph mutant leu-5. Purification of the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA synthetases and comparison of the enzymatic activities and the degradation patterns

The cytoplasmic leucyl-tRNA synthetases of Neurospora crassa wild type (grown at 37 degrees C) and mutant (grown at 28 degrees C) were purified approximately 1770-fold and 1440-fold respectively. Additional enzyme preparations were carried out with mutant cells grown for 24 h at 28 degrees C and transferred then to 37 degrees C for 10-70 h of growth. The mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA synthetase of the wild type was purified approximately 722-fold. The mitochondrial mutant enzyme was found only in traces. The cytoplasmic leucyl-tRNA synthetase from the mutant (grown at 37 degrees C) in vivo is subject of a proteolytic degradation. This leads to an increased pyrophosphate exchange, without altering aminoacylation. Proteolysis in vitro by trypsin or subtilisin of isolated cytoplasmic wild-type and mutant leucyl-tRNA synthetases, however, did not establish and difference in the degradation products and in their catalytic properties. Comparing the cytoplasmic wild-type and mutant enzymes (grown at 28 degrees C) via steady-state kinetics did not show significant differences between these synthetases either. The rate-determining step appears to be after the transfer of the aminoacyl group to the tRNA, e.g. a conformational change or the release of the product. Besides leucine only isoleucine is activated by the enzymes with a discrimination of approximately 1:600; however, no Ile-tRNALeu is released. Similarly these enzymes, when tested with eight ATP analogs, cannot be distinguished. For both enzymes six ATP analogs are neither substrates nor inhibitors. Two analogs are substrates with identical kinetic parameters. The mitochondrial wild-type leucyl-tRNA synthetase is different from the cytoplasmic enzyme, as particularly exhibited by aminoacylating Escherichia coli tRNALeu but not N. crassa cytoplasmic tRNALeu. The presence of traces of the analogous mitochondrial mutant enzyme could be demonstrated. Therefore, the difference between wild-type and mutant leu-5 does not rest in the catalytic properties of the cytoplasmic leucyl-tRNA synthetases. Differences in other properties of these enzymes are not excluded. In contrast the activity of the mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA synthetase of the mutant is approximately 1% of that of the wild-type enzyme.

Evolutionary aspects of accuracy of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase. A comparative study with enzymes from Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Neurospora crassa, and turkey liver using phenylalanine analogues

The phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetases from Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Neurospora crassa, and turkey liver activate a number of phenylalanine analogues (tyrosine, leucine, methionine, p-fluorophenylalanine, beta-phenylserine, beta-thien-2-ylalanine, 2-amino-4-methylhex-4-enoic acid, mimosine, N-benzyl-L- or N-benzyl-D-phenylalanine, and ochratoxin A), as demonstrated by Km and kcat of the ATP/PPi pyrophosphate exchange. Upon complexation with tRNA, the enzyme-tRNAPhe complexes show a significantly increased initial discrimination of these amino acid analogues expressed in higher Km and lower kcat values, as determined by amino-acylation of tRNAPhe-C-C-A(3'NH2). The overall accuracy is further enhanced by a second discrimination, a proofreading step. The strategies employed by the enzymes with respect to accuracy differ. Better initial discrimination in the aminoacylation and less elaborated proofreading for the E. coli enzyme can be compared to a more efficient proofreading by other synthetases. In this way the comparatively poor initial amino acid recognition in the case of the S. cerevisiae and N. crassa enzymes is balanced. The extent of initial discrimination is therefore inversely coupled to the hydrolytic capacity of the proofreading. A striking difference can be noted for the proofreading mechanisms. Whereas the enzymes from E. coli, S. cerevisiae, and N. crassa follow the pathway of posttransfer proofreading, namely, enzymatic hydrolysis of the misaminoacylated tRNA, the turkey liver enzyme uses tRNA-dependent pretransfer proofreading in the case of natural amino acids. In spite of the same subunit structure and similar molecular weight, the phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetases from a prokaryotic and lower and higher eukaryotic organisms show obvious mechanistic differences in their strategy to achieve the necessary fidelity.

Evolution of structure in RNA

Evidence is presented that structures formed by RNA and by RNA in association with protein have evolved from simpler structures by successive unions among them. The progressively more complex molecular structures have conferred selective advantage in evolution by progressively enhancing the specificities of the biochemical reactions. Before each union, the RNAs which joined at the time of union belonged to separate reproducing species. The record of unions in RNA therefore reflects unions among species in the biosphere, tracing the evolution of life from quite simple reproducing molecules up to well developed organisms.

Probing the principles of amino acid selection using the alanyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli

The alanyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli activates cysteine, alpha-aminobutyrate and other-noncognate amino acids that are larger than alanine so slowly that no editing mechanism is required for error correction. Serine, however, is activated sufficiently rapidly that an editing mechanism is required to remove the products of misactivation. The distinction between the nominally isosteric trio of cysteine, alpha-aminobutyrate and serine by the activation site of the enzyme is attributed to the effect of small differences in size on steric repulsion, the C-O bond length being somewhat shorter than either the C-C or C-S and the van der Waals' radius of -O- being smaller than that of -S- or -CH2-. The smaller amino acid glycine is also readily activated and its reaction products rapidly removed by hydrolytic editing.

Alternative pathways for editing non-cognate amino acids by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases

Evidence is presented that the editing mechanisms of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase operate by two alternative pathways: pre-transfer, by hydrolysis of the non-cognate aminoacyl adenylate; post-transfer, by hydrolysis of the mischarged tRNA. The methionyl-tRNA synthetases from Escherichia coli and Bacillus stearothermophilus and isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase from E. coli, for example, are shown to reject misactivated homocysteine rapidly by the pre-transfer route. A novel feature of this reaction is that homocysteine thiolactone is formed by the facile cyclisation of the homocysteinyl adenylate. Valyl-tRNA synthetases, on the other hand, reject the more readily activated non-cognate amino acids by primarily the post-transfer route. The features governing the choice of pathway are discussed.

The catalytic mechanism of glutamyl-tRNA synthetase of Escherichia coli. A steady-state kinetic investigation

The sequence of substrate binding and of end-product dissociation at the steady state of the catalytic process of tRNAGlu aminoacylation by glutamyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli has been investigated using bisubstrate kinetics, dead-end and end-product inhibition studies. The nature of the kinetic patterns indicates that ATP and tRNAGlu bind randomly to the free enzyme, whereas glutamate binds only to the ternary enzyme . tRNAGlu . ATP complex. Binding of ATP to the enzyme hinders that of tRNAGlu and vice versa. After interconversion of the quaternary enzyme . substrates complex the end-products dissociate in the following order: PPi first, AMP second and Glu-tRNA last. In addition to its role as substrate and as effector with ATP for the binding of glutamate, tRNAGlu promotes the catalytically active enzyme state. Whereas at saturating tRNAGlu concentration the catalysis is rate-determining, this conformational change can be rate-determining at low tRNAGlu concentrations. The results are discussed in the light of the two-step aminoacylation pathway catalyzed by this synthetase.

A novel enzymatic activity of phenylalanyl transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase from baker's yeast: zinc ion induced transfer ribonucleic acid independent hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate

Phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from baker's yeast in the presence of phenylalanine or other amino acids misactivated by the enzyme, ATP, and low concentrations of Zn2+ is able to hydrolyze ATP to AMP and PPi very efficiently. After dialysis of the enzyme against ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), this amino acid dependent but tRNAPhe-independent hydrolysis is suppressed to negligible levels. The ATP hydrolysis can be restored by the addition of Zn2+ to the EDTA-dialyzed enzyme. During aminoacylation of tRNAPhe the Zn2+-induced ATP hydrolysis parallels the aminoacylation reaction, leading to nonstoichiometric production of AMP. Mechanistically, we conclude that Zn2+ can be bound to phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase and can influence the stability of ATP if an activatable amino acid is present. The influence of Zn2+, if any, on the aminoacylation of tRNAPhe is not known. In practice, this side reaction is of the utmost importance in all cases in which the fate of ATP during aminoacylation is followed, especially if the stoichiometry of ATP consumption in relation to Phe-tRNAPhe formation has to be determined.