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Nagato Y, Yamashita S, Ohashi A, Furukawa H, Takai K, Tomita K, Tomikawa C. Mechanism of tRNA recognition by heterotetrameric glycyl-tRNA synthetase from lactic acid bacteria. J Biochem 2023; 174:291-303. [PMID: 37261968 PMCID: PMC10464925 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvad043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycyl-tRNA synthetases (GlyRSs) have different oligomeric structures depending on the organisms. While a dimeric α2 GlyRS species is present in archaea, eukaryotes and some eubacteria, a heterotetrameric α2β2 GlyRS species is found in most eubacteria. Here, we present the crystal structure of heterotetrameric α2β2 GlyRS, consisting of the full-length α and β subunits, from Lactobacillus plantarum (LpGlyRS), gram-positive lactic bacteria. The α2β2LpGlyRS adopts the same X-shaped structure as the recently reported Escherichia coli α2β2 GlyRS. A tRNA docking model onto LpGlyRS suggests that the α and β subunits of LpGlyRS together recognize the L-shaped tRNA structure. The α and β subunits of LpGlyRS together interact with the 3'-end and the acceptor region of tRNAGly, and the C-terminal domain of the β subunit interacts with the anticodon region of tRNAGly. The biochemical analysis using tRNA variants showed that in addition to the previously defined determinants G1C72 and C2G71 base pairs, C35, C36 and U73 in eubacterial tRNAGly, the identification of bases at positions 4 and 69 in tRNAGly is required for efficient glycylation by LpGlyRS. In this case, the combination of a purine base at Position 4 and a pyrimidine base at Position 69 in tRNAGly is preferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuha Nagato
- Department of Materials Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Seisuke Yamashita
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Azusa Ohashi
- Department of Materials Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Haruyuki Furukawa
- Department of Materials Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Takai
- Department of Materials Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Kozo Tomita
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Chie Tomikawa
- Department of Materials Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
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2
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Han L, Luo Z, Ju Y, Chen B, Zou T, Wang J, Xu J, Gu Q, Yang XL, Schimmel P, Zhou H. The binding mode of orphan glycyl-tRNA synthetase with tRNA supports the synthetase classification and reveals large domain movements. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf1027. [PMID: 36753552 PMCID: PMC9908026 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf1027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
As a class of essential enzymes in protein translation, aminoacyl-transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetases (aaRSs) are organized into two classes of 10 enzymes each, based on two conserved active site architectures. The (αβ)2 glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) in many bacteria is an orphan aaRS whose sequence and unprecedented X-shaped structure are distinct from those of all other aaRSs, including many other bacterial and all eukaryotic GlyRSs. Here, we report a cocrystal structure to elucidate how the orphan GlyRS kingdom specifically recognizes its substrate tRNA. This structure is sharply different from those of other aaRS-tRNA complexes but conforms to the clash-free, cross-class aaRS-tRNA docking found with conventional structures and reinforces the class-reconstruction paradigm. In addition, noteworthy, the X shape of orphan GlyRS is condensed with the largest known spatial rearrangement needed by aaRSs to capture tRNAs, which suggests potential nonactive site targets for aaRS-directed antibiotics, instead of less differentiated hard-to-drug active site locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Han
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhiteng Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yingchen Ju
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Bingyi Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Taotao Zou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Junjian Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qiong Gu
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiang-Lei Yang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Paul Schimmel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Huihao Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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3
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Giegé R, Eriani G. The tRNA identity landscape for aminoacylation and beyond. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1528-1570. [PMID: 36744444 PMCID: PMC9976931 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
tRNAs are key partners in ribosome-dependent protein synthesis. This process is highly dependent on the fidelity of tRNA aminoacylation by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and relies primarily on sets of identities within tRNA molecules composed of determinants and antideterminants preventing mischarging by non-cognate synthetases. Such identity sets were discovered in the tRNAs of a few model organisms, and their properties were generalized as universal identity rules. Since then, the panel of identity elements governing the accuracy of tRNA aminoacylation has expanded considerably, but the increasing number of reported functional idiosyncrasies has led to some confusion. In parallel, the description of other processes involving tRNAs, often well beyond aminoacylation, has progressed considerably, greatly expanding their interactome and uncovering multiple novel identities on the same tRNA molecule. This review highlights key findings on the mechanistics and evolution of tRNA and tRNA-like identities. In addition, new methods and their results for searching sets of multiple identities on a single tRNA are discussed. Taken together, this knowledge shows that a comprehensive understanding of the functional role of individual and collective nucleotide identity sets in tRNA molecules is needed for medical, biotechnological and other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Giegé
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Richard Giegé.
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4
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Florentz C, Giegé R. History of tRNA research in strasbourg. IUBMB Life 2019; 71:1066-1087. [PMID: 31185141 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The tRNA molecules, in addition to translating the genetic code into protein and defining the second genetic code via their aminoacylation by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, act in many other cellular functions and dysfunctions. This article, illustrated by personal souvenirs, covers the history of ~60 years tRNA research in Strasbourg. Typical examples point up how the work in Strasbourg was a two-way street, influenced by and at the same time influencing investigators outside of France. All along, research in Strasbourg has nurtured the structural and functional diversity of tRNA. It produced massive sequence and crystallographic data on tRNA and its partners, thereby leading to a deeper physicochemical understanding of tRNA architecture, dynamics, and identity. Moreover, it emphasized the role of nucleoside modifications and in the last two decades, highlighted tRNA idiosyncrasies in plants and organelles, together with cellular and health-focused aspects. The tRNA field benefited from a rich local academic heritage and a strong support by both university and CNRS. Its broad interlinks to the worldwide community of tRNA researchers opens to an exciting future. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 2019 © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(8):1066-1087, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Florentz
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS and Université de Strasbourg, F-67084, 15 rue René Descartes, Strasbourg, France.,Direction de la Recherche et de la Valorisation, Université de Strasbourg, F-67084, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, Strasbourg, France
| | - Richard Giegé
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS and Université de Strasbourg, F-67084, 15 rue René Descartes, Strasbourg, France
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5
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de Farias ST, Antonino D, Rêgo TG, José MV. Structural evolution of Glycyl-tRNA synthetases alpha subunit and its implication in the initial organization of the decoding system. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 142:43-50. [PMID: 30142371 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The origin and evolution of the genetic code is a fundamental challenge in modern biology. At the center of this problem is the correct interaction between amino acids and tRNAs. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase is the enzyme responsible for the correct binding between amino acids and tRNAs. Among the 20 canonical amino acid, glycine was the most abundant in prebiotic condition and it must have been one of the first to be incorporated into the genetic code. In this work, we derive the ancestral sequence of Glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) and predict its 3D-structure. We show, via molecular docking experiments, the capacity of ancestral GlyRS to bind the tRNA anticodon stem loop, cofactors and substrates. These bindings exhibit high affinity and specificity. We propose that the primordial function of these interactions was to stabilize both compounds to make possible the catalysis. In this context, the anticodon stem loop did contribute to the encoding system and just with the emergence of the mRNA it was co-opted for codification. Thus, we present a model for the origin of the genetic code in which the operational and the anticodon codes did not evolve independently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savio Torres de Farias
- Laboratório de Genética Evolutiva Paulo Leminsk, Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil.
| | - Daniel Antonino
- Laboratório de Genética Evolutiva Paulo Leminsk, Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Thais Gaudêncio Rêgo
- Departamento de Informática, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Marco V José
- Theoretical Biology Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México CDMX, C.P. 04510, Mexico.
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6
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Functional substitution of a eukaryotic glycyl-tRNA synthetase with an evolutionarily unrelated bacterial cognate enzyme. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94659. [PMID: 24743154 PMCID: PMC3990555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Two oligomeric types of glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) are found in nature: a α2 type and a α2β2 type. The former has been identified in all three kingdoms of life and often pairs with tRNAGly that carries an A73 discriminator base, while the latter is found only in bacteria and chloroplasts and is almost always coupled with tRNAGly that contains U73. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a single GlyRS gene, GRS1, provides both the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial functions, and tRNAGly isoacceptors in both compartments possess A73. We showed herein that Homo sapiens and Arabidopsis thaliana cytoplasmic GlyRSs (both α2-type enzymes) can rescue both the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial defects of a yeast grs1- strain, while Escherichia coli GlyRS (a α2β2-type enzyme) and A. thaliana organellar GlyRS (a (αβ)2-type enzyme) failed to rescue either defect of the yeast mull allele. However, a head-to-tail αβ fusion of E. coli GlyRS effectively supported the mitochondrial function. Our study suggests that a α2-type eukaryotic GlyRS may be functionally substituted with a α2β2-type bacterial cognate enzyme despite their remote evolutionary relationships.
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7
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An insertion peptide in yeast glycyl-tRNA synthetase facilitates both productive docking and catalysis of cognate tRNAs. Mol Cell Biol 2013; 33:3515-23. [PMID: 23816885 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00122-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae possesses two distinct glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) genes: GRS1 and GRS2. GRS1 is dually functional, encoding both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial activities, while GRS2 is dysfunctional and not required for growth. The protein products of these two genes, GlyRS1 and GlyRS2, are much alike but are distinguished by an insertion peptide of GlyRS1, which is absent from GlyRS2 and other eukaryotic homologues. We show that deletion or mutation of the insertion peptide modestly impaired the enzyme's catalytic efficiency in vitro (with a 2- to 3-fold increase in Km and a 5- to 8-fold decrease in kcat). Consistently, GRS2 can be conveniently converted to a functional gene via codon optimization, and the insertion peptide is dispensable for protein stability and the rescue activity of GRS1 at 30°C in vivo. A phylogenetic analysis further showed that GRS1 and GRS2 are paralogues that arose from a gene duplication event relatively recently, with GRS1 being the predecessor. These results indicate that GlyRS2 is an active enzyme essentially resembling the insertion peptide-deleted form of GlyRS1. Our study suggests that the insertion peptide represents a novel auxiliary domain, which facilitates both productive docking and catalysis of cognate tRNAs.
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8
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Roy H. Tuning the properties of the bacterial membrane with aminoacylated phosphatidylglycerol. IUBMB Life 2009; 61:940-53. [PMID: 19787708 DOI: 10.1002/iub.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The bacterial envelope is a semi-permeable barrier that protects the cell from the hostilities of the environment. To survive the ever-changing conditions of their surroundings, bacteria need to rapidly adjust the biochemical properties of their cellular envelope. Amino acid (aa) addition to phosphatidylglycerol (PG) of the membrane is one of the mechanisms used by bacteria to lower the net negative charge of their cellular envelope, thereby decreasing its affinity for several antibacterial agents such as the cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) produced by the innate immune response during host infection. This process requires the activity of an integral membrane protein, called aa-PG synthase (aaPGS), to transfer the aa of aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) onto the PG of the membrane. aaPGSs constitute a new family of virulence factors that are found in a wide range of microorganisms. aa-PGs not only provide resistance to CAMPs but also to other classes of antibacterial agents and to environmental stresses such as those encountered during extreme osmotic or acidic conditions. This review will describe the known biochemical properties of aa-PGSs, their specificity for aa-tRNAs and phospholipids, and the growing repertoire of aa used as substrates by these enzymes. Their prevalence in bacteria and the phenotypes and modulations of membrane properties associated with these molecules will be addressed, as well as their regulation as a component of the envelope stress response system in certain bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Roy
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State Biochemistry Program, Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1292, USA.
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9
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Giannouli S, Kyritsis A, Malissovas N, Becker HD, Stathopoulos C. On the role of an unusual tRNAGly isoacceptor in Staphylococcus aureus. Biochimie 2008; 91:344-51. [PMID: 19014993 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2008.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2008] [Accepted: 10/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the available Staphylococcus aureus genomes, four different genes have been annotated to encode tRNA(Gly) isoacceptors. Besides their prominent role in protein synthesis, some of them also participate in the formation of pentaglycine bridges during cell wall synthesis. However, until today, it is not known how many and which of them are actually involved in this essential procedure. In the present study we identified, apart from the four annotated tRNA(Gly) genes, a putative pseudogene which encodes and expresses an unusual fifth tRNA(Gly) isoacceptor in S. aureus (as detected via RT-PCR and subsequent direct sequencing analysis). All the in vitro transcribed tRNA(Gly) molecules (including the "pseudogene-encoded" tRNA(Gly)) can be efficiently aminoacylated by the recombinant S. aureus glycyl-tRNA synthetase. Furthermore, bioinformatic analysis suggests that the "pseudo"-tRNA(Gly(UCC)) identified in the present study and two of the annotated isoacceptors bearing the same anticodon carry specific sequence elements that do not favour the strong interaction with EF-Tu that proteinogenic tRNAs would promote. This observation was verified by the differential capacity of Gly-tRNA(Gly) molecules to form ternary complexes with activated S. aureus EF-Tu.GTP. These tRNA(Gly) molecules display high sequence similarities with their S. epidermidis orthologs which also actively participate in cell wall synthesis. Both bioinformatic and biochemical data suggest that in S. aureus these three glycylated tRNA(Gly) isoacceptors that are weak EF-Tu binders, possibly escape protein synthesis and serve as glycine donors for the formation of pentaglycine bridges that are essential for stabilization of the staphylococcal cell wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stamatina Giannouli
- Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 26 Ploutonos St, 41221 Larissa, Greece
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10
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Vasil'eva IA, Moor NA. Interaction of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases with tRNA: general principles and distinguishing characteristics of the high-molecular-weight substrate recognition. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2007; 72:247-63. [PMID: 17447878 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297907030029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes results of numerous (mainly functional) studies that have been accumulated over recent years on the problem of tRNA recognition by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Development and employment of approaches that use synthetic mutant and chimeric tRNAs have demonstrated general principles underlying highly specific interaction in different systems. The specificity of interaction is determined by a certain number of nucleotides and structural elements of tRNA (constituting the set of recognition elements or specificity determinants), which are characteristic of each pair. Crystallographic structures available for many systems provide the details of the molecular basis of selective interaction. Diversity and identity of biochemical functions of the recognition elements make substantial contribution to the specificity of such interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- I A Vasil'eva
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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11
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Abstract
At the time of its discovery four decades ago, the genetic code was viewed as the result of a "frozen accident." Our current knowledge of the translation process and of the detailed structure of its components highlights the roles of RNA structure (in mRNA and tRNA), RNA modification (in tRNA), and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase diversity in the evolution of the genetic code. The diverse assortment of codon reassignments present in subcellular organelles and organisms of distinct lineages has 'thawed' the concept of a universal immutable code; it may not be accidental that out of more than 140 amino acids found in natural proteins, only two (selenocysteine and pyrrolysine) are known to have been added to the standard 20-member amino acid alphabet. The existence of phosphoseryl-tRNA (in the form of tRNACys and tRNASec) may presage the discovery of other cotranslationally inserted modified amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Ambrogelly
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8114, USA
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12
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Hohn MJ, Park HS, O'Donoghue P, Schnitzbauer M, Söll D. Emergence of the universal genetic code imprinted in an RNA record. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:18095-100. [PMID: 17110438 PMCID: PMC1838712 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0608762103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular basis of the genetic code manifests itself in the interaction of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and their cognate tRNAs. The fundamental biological question regarding these enzymes' role in the evolution of the genetic code remains open. Here we probe this question in a system in which the same tRNA species is aminoacylated by two unrelated synthetases. Should this tRNA possess major identity elements common to both enzymes, this would favor a scenario where the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases evolved in the context of preestablished tRNA identity, i.e., after the universal genetic code emerged. An experimental system is provided by the recently discovered O-phosphoseryl-tRNA synthetase (SepRS), which acylates tRNA(Cys) with phosphoserine (Sep), and the well known cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase, which charges the same tRNA with cysteine. We determined the identity elements of Methanocaldococcus jannaschii tRNA(Cys) in the aminoacylation reaction for the two Methanococcus maripaludis synthetases SepRS (forming Sep-tRNA(Cys)) and cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase (forming Cys-tRNA(Cys)). The major elements, the discriminator base and the three anticodon bases, are shared by both tRNA synthetases. An evolutionary analysis of archaeal, bacterial, and eukaryotic tRNA(Cys) sequences predicted additional SepRS-specific minor identity elements (G37, A47, and A59) and suggested the dominance of vertical inheritance for tRNA(Cys) from a single common ancestor. Transplantation of the identified identity elements into the Escherichia coli tRNA(Gly) scaffold endowed facile phosphoserylation activity on the resulting chimera. Thus, tRNA(Cys) identity is an ancient RNA record that depicts the emergence of the universal genetic code before the evolution of the modern aminoacylation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hee-Sung Park
- Departments of *Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and
| | | | | | - Dieter Söll
- Departments of *Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and
- Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at:
Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, P.O. Box 208114, 266 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06520-8114. E-mail:
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13
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Gruic-Sovulj I, Jaric J, Dulic M, Cindric M, Weygand-Durasevic I. Shuffling of discrete tRNASer regions reveals differently utilized identity elements in yeast and methanogenic archaea. J Mol Biol 2006; 361:128-39. [PMID: 16822522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2006.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2006] [Revised: 06/05/2006] [Accepted: 06/06/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Seryl-tRNA synthetases (SerRSs) from methanogenic archaea possess distinct evolutionary origin and show minimal sequence similarity with counterparts from bacteria, eukaryotes and other archaea. Here we show that SerRS from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis (ScSerRS and MmSerRS, respectively) display significantly different ability to serylate heterologous tRNA(Ser). Recognition in yeast was shown to be more stringent than in archaeon. While cross-aminoacylation of M. maripaludis tRNA(Ser) (MmtRNA(Ser)) by yeast SerRS barely occurs, yeast tRNA(Ser) (SctRNA(Ser)) was shown to be a good substrate for heterologous MmSerRS. To investigate the contribution of different tRNA regions for the recognition by yeast and archaeal SerRS, chimeric tRNAs bearing separated domains of SctRNA(Ser) in MmtRNA(Ser) framework were produced by in vitro transcription and subjected to kinetic and gel mobility shift analysis with both enzymes. Generally, the recognition in M. maripaludis seems to be relatively relaxed toward tertiary elements of tRNA(Ser) structure and relies on the direct recognition of identity nucleotides. On the other hand, expression of tRNA(Ser) identity elements in yeast seems to be more sensitive toward surrounding sequence context. In both systems variable arm of tRNA was recognized as a major identity region with a strong influence on SerRS:tRNA binding. Acceptor domain of SctRNA(Ser) was also shown to be important for serylation in yeast. We propose that cognate interactions between N-terminal domain of yeast SerRS and variable region of SctRNA(Ser) place the acceptor stem into the enzyme's active site and lead to increased affinity toward serine and efficient serylation of tRNA. The same effect was not observed in M. maripaludis. Unlike its yeast counterpart, MmSerRS forms only one type of covalent complex with MmtRNA(Ser), regardless of the tRNA/SerRS molar ratio. Stoichiometry of the complex, one tRNA per dimeric SerRS, was revealed by mass spectrometry. Our studies indicate that different SerRS:tRNA recognition mode is utilized by these two systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ita Gruic-Sovulj
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
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14
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Fechter P, Rudinger-Thirion J, Tukalo M, Giegé R. Major tyrosine identity determinants in Methanococcus jannaschii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae tRNA(Tyr) are conserved but expressed differently. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY 2001; 268:761-7. [PMID: 11168416 DOI: 10.1046/j.1432-1327.2001.01931.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Using in vitro tRNA transcripts and minihelices it was shown that the tyrosine identity for tRNA charging by tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) from the archaeon Methanococcus jannaschii is determined by six nucleotides: the discriminator base A73 and the first base-pair C1-G72 in the acceptor stem together with the anticodon triplet. The anticodon residues however, participate only weakly in identity determination, especially residues 35 and 36. The completeness of the aforementioned identity set was verified by its tranfer into several tRNAs which then become as efficiently tyrosylatable as the wild-type transcript from M. jannaschii. Temperature dependence experiments on both the structure and the tyrosylation properties of M. jannaschii and yeast tRNA(Tyr) transcripts show that the archaeal transcript has greater structural stability and enhanced aminoacylation behaviour than the yeast transcript. Tyrosine identity in M. jannaschii is compared to that in yeast, and the conservation of the major determinant in both organisms, namely the C1-G72 pair, gives additional support to the existence of a functional connection between archaeal and eukaryotic aminoacylation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Fechter
- Département Mécanismes et Macromolécules de la Synthèse Protéique et Cristallogenèse, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, Strasbourg, France
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Knight RD, Freeland SJ, Landweber LF. Rewiring the keyboard: evolvability of the genetic code. Nat Rev Genet 2001; 2:49-58. [PMID: 11253070 DOI: 10.1038/35047500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 264] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The genetic code evolved in two distinct phases. First, the 'canonical' code emerged before the last universal ancestor; subsequently, this code diverged in numerous nuclear and organelle lineages. Here, we examine the distribution and causes of these secondary deviations from the canonical genetic code. The majority of non-standard codes arise from alterations in the tRNA, with most occurring by post-transcriptional modifications, such as base modification or RNA editing, rather than by substitutions within tRNA anticodons.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D Knight
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA.
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Turner RJ, Lovato M, Schimmel P. One of two genes encoding glycyl-tRNA synthetase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides mitochondrial and cytoplasmic functions. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:27681-8. [PMID: 10874035 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m003416200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two genes (GRS1 and GRS2) encode glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS1 and GlyRS2, respectively). 59% of the sequence of GlyRS2 is identical to that of GlyRS1. Others have proposed that GRS1 and GRS2 encode the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial enzymes, respectively. In this work, we show that GRS1 encodes both functions, whereas GRS2 is dispensable. In addition, both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial phenotypes of the knockout allele of GRS1 in S. cerevisiae are complemented by the expression of the only known gene for glycyl-tRNA synthetase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Thus, a single gene for glycyl-tRNA synthetase likely encodes both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial activities in most or all yeast. Phylogenetic analysis shows that GlyRS2 is a predecessor of all yeast GlyRS homologues. Thus, GRS1 appears to be the result of a duplication of GRS2, which itself is pseudogene-like.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Turner
- Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Departments of Molecular Biology and Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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Yaremchuk A, Cusack S, Tukalo M. Crystal structure of a eukaryote/archaeon-like protyl-tRNA synthetase and its complex with tRNAPro(CGG). EMBO J 2000; 19:4745-58. [PMID: 10970866 PMCID: PMC302085 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/19.17.4745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolyl-tRNA synthetase (ProRS) is a class IIa synthetase that, according to sequence analysis, occurs in different organisms with one of two quite distinct structural architectures: prokaryote-like and eukaryote/archaeon-like. The primary sequence of ProRS from the hypothermophilic eubacterium Thermus thermophilus (ProRSTT) shows that this enzyme is surprisingly eukaryote/archaeon-like. We describe its crystal structure at 2.43 angstom resolution, which reveals a feature that is unique among class II synthetases. This is an additional zinc-containing domain after the expected class IIa anticodon-binding domain and whose C-terminal extremity, which ends in an absolutely conserved tyrosine, folds back into the active site. We also present an improved structure of ProRSTT complexed with tRNAPro(CGG) at 2.85 angstom resolution. This structure represents an initial docking state of the tRNA in which the anticodon stem-loop is engaged, particularly via the tRNAPro-specific bases G35 and G36, but the 3' end does not enter the active site. Considerable structural changes in tRNA and/or synthetase, which are probably induced by small substrates, are required to achieve the conformation active for aminoacylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Yaremchuk
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Grenoble Outstation, Grenoble, France
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