1
|
Douglas J, Cui H, Perona JJ, Vargas-Rodriguez O, Tyynismaa H, Carreño CA, Ling J, Ribas de Pouplana L, Yang XL, Ibba M, Becker H, Fischer F, Sissler M, Carter CW, Wills PR. AARS Online: A collaborative database on the structure, function, and evolution of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. IUBMB Life 2024. [PMID: 39247978 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) are a large group of enzymes that implement the genetic code in all known biological systems. They attach amino acids to their cognate tRNAs, moonlight in various translational and non-translational activities beyond aminoacylation, and are linked to many genetic disorders. The aaRS have a subtle ontology characterized by structural and functional idiosyncrasies that vary from organism to organism, and protein to protein. Across the tree of life, the 22 coded amino acids are handled by 16 evolutionary families of Class I aaRS and 21 families of Class II aaRS. We introduce AARS Online, an interactive Wikipedia-like tool curated by an international consortium of field experts. This platform systematizes existing knowledge about the aaRS by showcasing a taxonomically diverse selection of aaRS sequences and structures. Through its graphical user interface, AARS Online facilitates a seamless exploration between protein sequence and structure, providing a friendly introduction to the material for non-experts and a useful resource for experts. Curated multiple sequence alignments can be extracted for downstream analyses. Accessible at www.aars.online, AARS Online is a free resource to delve into the world of the aaRS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Douglas
- Department of Physics, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Computational Evolution, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Haissi Cui
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - John J Perona
- Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Oscar Vargas-Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Henna Tyynismaa
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Jiqiang Ling
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Lluís Ribas de Pouplana
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Xiang-Lei Yang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Michael Ibba
- Biological Sciences, Chapman University, Orange, California, USA
| | - Hubert Becker
- Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique Microbiologique, University of Strasbourg, France
| | - Frédéric Fischer
- Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique Microbiologique, University of Strasbourg, France
| | - Marie Sissler
- Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique Microbiologique, University of Strasbourg, France
| | - Charles W Carter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Peter R Wills
- Department of Physics, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Computational Evolution, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lewis AM, Fallon T, Dittemore GA, Sheppard K. Evolution and variation in amide aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis. IUBMB Life 2024. [PMID: 38391119 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The amide proteogenic amino acids, asparagine and glutamine, are two of the twenty amino acids used in translation by all known life. The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases for asparagine and glutamine, asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase and glutaminyl tRNA synthetase, evolved after the split in the last universal common ancestor of modern organisms. Before that split, life used two-step indirect pathways to synthesize asparagine and glutamine on their cognate tRNAs to form the aminoacyl-tRNA used in translation. These two-step pathways were retained throughout much of the bacterial and archaeal domains of life and eukaryotic organelles. The indirect routes use non-discriminating aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (non-discriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase and non-discriminating glutamyl-tRNA synthetase) to misaminoacylate the tRNA. The misaminoacylated tRNA formed is then transamidated into the amide aminoacyl-tRNA used in protein synthesis by tRNA-dependent amidotransferases (GatCAB and GatDE). The enzymes and tRNAs involved assemble into complexes known as transamidosomes to help maintain translational fidelity. These pathways have evolved to meet the varied cellular needs across a diverse set of organisms, leading to significant variation. In certain bacteria, the indirect pathways may provide a means to adapt to cellular stress by reducing the fidelity of protein synthesis. The retention of these indirect pathways versus acquisition of asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase and glutaminyl tRNA synthetase in lineages likely involves a complex interplay of the competing uses of glutamine and asparagine beyond translation, energetic costs, co-evolution between enzymes and tRNA, and involvement in stress response that await further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Lewis
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, USA
| | - Trevor Fallon
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, USA
| | | | - Kelly Sheppard
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Douglas J, Bouckaert R, Carter CW, Wills P. Enzymic recognition of amino acids drove the evolution of primordial genetic codes. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:558-571. [PMID: 38048305 PMCID: PMC10810186 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
How genetic information gained its exquisite control over chemical processes needed to build living cells remains an enigma. Today, the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARS) execute the genetic codes in all living systems. But how did the AARS that emerged over three billion years ago as low-specificity, protozymic forms then spawn the full range of highly-specific enzymes that distinguish between 22 diverse amino acids? A phylogenetic reconstruction of extant AARS genes, enhanced by analysing modular acquisitions, reveals six AARS with distinct bacterial, archaeal, eukaryotic, or organellar clades, resulting in a total of 36 families of AARS catalytic domains. Small structural modules that differentiate one AARS family from another played pivotal roles in discriminating between amino acid side chains, thereby expanding the genetic code and refining its precision. The resulting model shows a tendency for less elaborate enzymes, with simpler catalytic domains, to activate amino acids that were not synthesised until later in the evolution of the code. The most probable evolutionary route for an emergent amino acid type to establish a place in the code was by recruiting older, less specific AARS, rather than adapting contemporary lineages. This process, retrofunctionalisation, differs from previously described mechanisms through which amino acids would enter the code.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Douglas
- Department of Physics, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Computational Evolution, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Remco Bouckaert
- Centre for Computational Evolution, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Computer Science, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Charles W Carter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Peter R Wills
- Department of Physics, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Computational Evolution, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Teoh CP, Lavin P, Yusof NA, González-Aravena M, Najimudin N, Cheah YK, Wong CMVL. Transcriptomics analysis provides insights into the heat adaptation strategies of an Antarctic bacterium, Cryobacterium sp. SO1. Polar Biol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-023-03115-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
|
5
|
Sharma VK, Gupta S, Chhibber-Goel J, Yogavel M, Sharma A. A single amino acid substitution alters activity and specificity in Plasmodium falciparum aspartyl & asparaginyl-tRNA synthetases. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 250:111488. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
6
|
Did Amino Acid Side Chain Reactivity Dictate the Composition and Timing of Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase Evolution? Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12030409. [PMID: 33809136 PMCID: PMC8001834 DOI: 10.3390/genes12030409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The twenty amino acids in the standard genetic code were fixed prior to the last universal common ancestor (LUCA). Factors that guided this selection included establishment of pathways for their metabolic synthesis and the concomitant fixation of substrate specificities in the emerging aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs). In this conceptual paper, we propose that the chemical reactivity of some amino acid side chains (e.g., lysine, cysteine, homocysteine, ornithine, homoserine, and selenocysteine) delayed or prohibited the emergence of the corresponding aaRSs and helped define the amino acids in the standard genetic code. We also consider the possibility that amino acid chemistry delayed the emergence of the glutaminyl- and asparaginyl-tRNA synthetases, neither of which are ubiquitous in extant organisms. We argue that fundamental chemical principles played critical roles in fixation of some aspects of the genetic code pre- and post-LUCA.
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Diverse models have been advanced for the evolution of the genetic code. Here, models for tRNA, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) and genetic code evolution were combined with an understanding of EF-Tu suppression of tRNA 3rd anticodon position wobbling. The result is a highly detailed scheme that describes the placements of all amino acids in the standard genetic code. The model describes evolution of 6-, 4-, 3-, 2- and 1-codon sectors. Innovation in column 3 of the code is explained. Wobbling and code degeneracy are explained. Separate distribution of serine sectors between columns 2 and 4 of the code is described. We conclude that very little chaos contributed to evolution of the genetic code and that the pattern of evolution of aaRS enzymes describes a history of the evolution of the code. A model is proposed to describe the biological selection for the earliest evolution of the code and for protocell evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Lei
- Department of Biology, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, USA
| | - Zachary Frome Burton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Leiva LE, Pincheira A, Elgamal S, Kienast SD, Bravo V, Leufken J, Gutiérrez D, Leidel SA, Ibba M, Katz A. Modulation of Escherichia coli Translation by the Specific Inactivation of tRNA Gly Under Oxidative Stress. Front Genet 2020; 11:856. [PMID: 33014012 PMCID: PMC7461829 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial oxidative stress responses are generally controlled by transcription factors that modulate the synthesis of RNAs with the aid of some sRNAs that control the stability, and in some cases the translation, of specific mRNAs. Here, we report that oxidative stress additionally leads to inactivation of tRNAGly in Escherichia coli, inducing a series of physiological changes. The observed inactivation of tRNAGly correlated with altered efficiency of translation of Gly codons, suggesting a possible mechanism of translational control of gene expression under oxidative stress. Changes in translation also depended on the availability of glycine, revealing a mechanism whereby bacteria modulate the response to oxidative stress according to the prevailing metabolic state of the cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Eugenio Leiva
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrea Pincheira
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sara Elgamal
- Department of Microbiology and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Sandra D Kienast
- Max Planck Research Group for RNA Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany.,Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence and Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Research Group for RNA Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Verónica Bravo
- Unidad de Microbiología, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Johannes Leufken
- Max Planck Research Group for RNA Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany.,Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence and Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Research Group for RNA Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Gutiérrez
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastian A Leidel
- Max Planck Research Group for RNA Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany.,Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence and Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Research Group for RNA Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Ibba
- Department of Microbiology and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Assaf Katz
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are an essential and universally distributed family of enzymes that plays a critical role in protein synthesis, pairing tRNAs with their cognate amino acids for decoding mRNAs according to the genetic code. Synthetases help to ensure accurate translation of the genetic code by using both highly accurate cognate substrate recognition and stringent proofreading of noncognate products. While alterations in the quality control mechanisms of synthetases are generally detrimental to cellular viability, recent studies suggest that in some instances such changes facilitate adaption to stress conditions. Beyond their central role in translation, synthetases are also emerging as key players in an increasing number of other cellular processes, with far-reaching consequences in health and disease. The biochemical versatility of the synthetases has also proven pivotal in efforts to expand the genetic code, further emphasizing the wide-ranging roles of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase family in synthetic and natural biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Angel Rubio Gomez
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Michael Ibba
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chuawong P, Likittrakulwong W, Suebka S, Wiriyatanakorn N, Saparpakorn P, Taweesablamlert A, Sudprasert W, Hendrickson T, Svasti J. Anticodon-binding domain swapping in a nondiscriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase reveals contributions to tRNA specificity and catalytic activity. Proteins 2020; 88:1133-1142. [PMID: 32067260 DOI: 10.1002/prot.25881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The nondiscriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (ND-AspRS), found in many archaea and bacteria, covalently attaches aspartic acid to tRNAAsp and tRNAAsn generating a correctly charged Asp-tRNAAsp and an erroneous Asp-tRNAAsn . This relaxed tRNA specificity is governed by interactions between the tRNA and the enzyme. In an effort to assess the contributions of the anticodon-binding domain to tRNA specificity, we constructed two chimeric enzymes, Chimera-D and Chimera-N, by replacing the native anticodon-binding domain in the Helicobacter pylori ND-AspRS with that of a discriminating AspRS (Chimera-D) and an asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (AsnRS, Chimera-N), both from Escherichia coli. Both chimeric enzymes showed similar secondary structure compared to wild-type (WT) ND-AspRS and maintained the ability to form dimeric complexes in solution. Although less catalytically active than WT, Chimera-D was more discriminating as it aspartylated tRNAAsp over tRNAAsn with a specificity ratio of 7.0 compared to 2.9 for the WT enzyme. In contrast, Chimera-N exhibited low catalytic activity toward tRNAAsp and was unable to aspartylate tRNAAsn . The observed catalytic activities for the two chimeras correlate with their heterologous toxicity when expressed in E. coli. Molecular dynamics simulations show a reduced hydrogen bond network at the interface between the anticodon-binding domain and the catalytic domain in Chimera-N compared to Chimera-D or WT, explaining its lower stability and catalytic activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pitak Chuawong
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wirot Likittrakulwong
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Suwimon Suebka
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Faculty of Science and Technology, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | | | | | - Amata Taweesablamlert
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wanwisa Sudprasert
- Department of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Jisnuson Svasti
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Indirect tRNA aminoacylation during accurate translation and phenotypic mistranslation. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2017; 41:114-122. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2017.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
12
|
Corona A, Palmer SO, Zamacona R, Mendez B, Dean FB, Bullard JM. Discovery and Characterization of Chemical Compounds That Inhibit the Function of Aspartyl-tRNA Synthetase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. SLAS DISCOVERY 2017; 23:294-301. [PMID: 29186665 DOI: 10.1177/2472555217744559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen, is highly susceptible to developing resistance to multiple antibiotics. The gene encoding aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (AspRS) from P. aeruginosa was cloned and the resulting protein characterized. AspRS was kinetically evaluated, and the KM values for aspartic acid, ATP, and tRNA were 170, 495, and 0.5 μM, respectively. AspRS was developed into a screening platform using scintillation proximity assay (SPA) technology and used to screen 1690 chemical compounds, resulting in the identification of two inhibitory compounds, BT02A02 and BT02C05. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined against nine clinically relevant bacterial strains, including efflux pump mutant and hypersensitive strains of P. aeruginosa. The compounds displayed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and inhibited growth of the efflux and hypersensitive strains with MICs of 16 μg/mL. Growth of wild-type strains were unaffected, indicating that efflux was likely responsible for this lack of activity. BT02A02 did not inhibit growth of human cell cultures at any concentration. However, BT02C05 did inhibit human cell cultures with a cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) of 61.6 μg/mL. The compounds did not compete with either aspartic acid or ATP for binding AspRS, indicating that the mechanism of action of the compound occurs outside the active site of aminoacylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Araceli Corona
- 1 Chemistry Department, The University of Texas-RGV, Edinburg, TX, USA
| | | | - Regina Zamacona
- 1 Chemistry Department, The University of Texas-RGV, Edinburg, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin Mendez
- 1 Chemistry Department, The University of Texas-RGV, Edinburg, TX, USA
| | - Frank B Dean
- 1 Chemistry Department, The University of Texas-RGV, Edinburg, TX, USA
| | - James M Bullard
- 1 Chemistry Department, The University of Texas-RGV, Edinburg, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Songsiriritthigul C, Suebka S, Chen CJ, Fuengfuloy P, Chuawong P. Crystal structure of the N-terminal anticodon-binding domain of the nondiscriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase from Helicobacter pylori. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2017; 73:62-69. [PMID: 28177315 PMCID: PMC5297925 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x16020586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The N-terminal anticodon-binding domain of the nondiscriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (ND-AspRS) plays a crucial role in the recognition of both tRNAAsp and tRNAAsn. Here, the first X-ray crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of this enzyme (ND-AspRS1-104) from the human-pathogenic bacterium Helicobacter pylori is reported at 2.0 Å resolution. The apo form of H. pylori ND-AspRS1-104 shares high structural similarity with the N-terminal anticodon-binding domains of the discriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (D-AspRS) from Escherichia coli and ND-AspRS from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, allowing recognition elements to be proposed for tRNAAsp and tRNAAsn. It is proposed that a long loop (Arg77-Lys90) in this H. pylori domain influences its relaxed tRNA specificity, such that it is classified as nondiscriminating. A structural comparison between D-AspRS from E. coli and ND-AspRS from P. aeruginosa suggests that turns E and F (78GAGL81 and 83NPKL86) in H. pylori ND-AspRS play a crucial role in anticodon recognition. Accordingly, the conserved Pro84 in turn F facilitates the recognition of the anticodons of tRNAAsp (34GUC36) and tRNAAsn (34GUU36). The absence of the amide H atom allows both C and U bases to be accommodated in the tRNA-recognition site.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Anticodon/chemistry
- Anticodon/metabolism
- Apoproteins/chemistry
- Apoproteins/genetics
- Apoproteins/metabolism
- Aspartate-tRNA Ligase/chemistry
- Aspartate-tRNA Ligase/genetics
- Aspartate-tRNA Ligase/metabolism
- Bacterial Proteins/chemistry
- Bacterial Proteins/genetics
- Bacterial Proteins/metabolism
- Binding Sites
- Cloning, Molecular
- Crystallography, X-Ray
- Escherichia coli/enzymology
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Gene Expression
- Helicobacter pylori/chemistry
- Helicobacter pylori/enzymology
- Models, Molecular
- Plasmids/chemistry
- Plasmids/metabolism
- Protein Binding
- Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical
- Protein Conformation, beta-Strand
- Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa/enzymology
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa/genetics
- RNA, Transfer, Asn/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Asn/genetics
- RNA, Transfer, Asn/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer, Asp/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Asp/genetics
- RNA, Transfer, Asp/metabolism
- Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
- Sequence Alignment
- Structural Homology, Protein
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chomphunuch Songsiriritthigul
- Synchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organization), 111 University Avenue, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
- Center for Biomolecular Structure, Function and Application, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
| | - Suwimon Suebka
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, and Special Research Unit for Advanced Magnetic Resonance, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Chun-Jung Chen
- Life Science Group, Scientific Research Division, National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan
| | - Pitchayada Fuengfuloy
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, and Special Research Unit for Advanced Magnetic Resonance, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Pitak Chuawong
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, and Special Research Unit for Advanced Magnetic Resonance, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Interrogating Genes That Mediate Chlamydia trachomatis Survival in Cell Culture Using Conditional Mutants and Recombination. J Bacteriol 2016; 198:2131-9. [PMID: 27246568 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00161-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Intracellular bacterial pathogens in the family Chlamydiaceae are causes of human blindness, sexually transmitted disease, and pneumonia. Genetic dissection of the mechanisms of chlamydial pathogenicity has been hindered by multiple limitations, including the inability to inactivate genes that would prevent the production of elementary bodies. Many genes are also Chlamydia-specific genes, and chlamydial genomes have undergone extensive reductive evolution, so functions often cannot be inferred from homologs in other organisms. Conditional mutants have been used to study essential genes of many microorganisms, so we screened a library of 4,184 ethyl methanesulfonate-mutagenized Chlamydia trachomatis isolates for temperature-sensitive (TS) mutants that developed normally at physiological temperature (37°C) but not at nonphysiological temperatures. Heat-sensitive TS mutants were identified at a high frequency, while cold-sensitive mutants were less common. Twelve TS mutants were mapped using a novel markerless recombination approach, PCR, and genome sequencing. TS alleles of genes that play essential roles in other bacteria and chlamydia-specific open reading frames (ORFs) of unknown function were identified. Temperature-shift assays determined that phenotypes of the mutants manifested at distinct points in the developmental cycle. Genome sequencing of a larger population of TS mutants also revealed that the screen had not reached saturation. In summary, we describe the first approach for studying essential chlamydial genes and broadly applicable strategies for genetic mapping in Chlamydia spp. and mutants that both define checkpoints and provide insights into the biology of the chlamydial developmental cycle. IMPORTANCE Study of the pathogenesis of Chlamydia spp. has historically been hampered by a lack of genetic tools. Although there has been recent progress in chlamydial genetics, the existing approaches have limitations for the study of the genes that mediate growth of these organisms in cell culture. We used a genetic screen to identify conditional Chlamydia mutants and then mapped these alleles using a broadly applicable recombination strategy. Phenotypes of the mutants provide fundamental insights into unexplored areas of chlamydial pathogenesis and intracellular biology. Finally, the reagents and approaches we describe are powerful resources for the investigation of these organisms.
Collapse
|
15
|
Nair N, Raff H, Islam MT, Feen M, Garofalo DM, Sheppard K. The Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus halodurans Aspartyl-tRNA Synthetases Retain Recognition of tRNA(Asn). J Mol Biol 2016; 428:618-630. [PMID: 26804570 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2016.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Synthesis of asparaginyl-tRNA (Asn-tRNA(Asn)) in bacteria can be formed either by directly ligating Asn to tRNA(Asn) using an asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (AsnRS) or by synthesizing Asn on the tRNA. In the latter two-step indirect pathway, a non-discriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (ND-AspRS) attaches Asp to tRNA(Asn) and the amidotransferase GatCAB transamidates the Asp to Asn on the tRNA. GatCAB can be similarly used for Gln-tRNA(Gln) formation. Most bacteria are predicted to use only one route for Asn-tRNA(Asn) formation. Given that Bacillus halodurans and Bacillus subtilis encode AsnRS for Asn-tRNA(Asn) formation and Asn synthetases to synthesize Asn and GatCAB for Gln-tRNA(Gln) synthesis, their AspRS enzymes were thought to be specific for tRNA(Asp). However, we demonstrate that the AspRSs are non-discriminating and can be used with GatCAB to synthesize Asn. The results explain why B. subtilis with its Asn synthetase genes knocked out is still an Asn prototroph. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that this may be common among Firmicutes and 30% of all bacteria. In addition, the phylogeny revealed that discrimination toward tRNA(Asp) by AspRS has evolved independently multiple times. The retention of the indirect pathway in B. subtilis and B. halodurans likely reflects the ancient link between Asn biosynthesis and its use in translation that enabled Asn to be added to the genetic code.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nilendra Nair
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
| | - Hannah Raff
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
| | | | - Melanie Feen
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
| | - Denise M Garofalo
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
| | - Kelly Sheppard
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Mailu BM, Li L, Arthur J, Nelson TM, Ramasamy G, Fritz-Wolf K, Becker K, Gardner MJ. Plasmodium Apicoplast Gln-tRNAGln Biosynthesis Utilizes a Unique GatAB Amidotransferase Essential for Erythrocytic Stage Parasites. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:29629-41. [PMID: 26318454 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.655100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum apicoplast indirect aminoacylation pathway utilizes a non-discriminating glutamyl-tRNA synthetase to synthesize Glu-tRNA(Gln) and a glutaminyl-tRNA amidotransferase to convert Glu-tRNA(Gln) to Gln-tRNA(Gln). Here, we show that Plasmodium falciparum and other apicomplexans possess a unique heterodimeric glutamyl-tRNA amidotransferase consisting of GatA and GatB subunits (GatAB). We localized the P. falciparum GatA and GatB subunits to the apicoplast in blood stage parasites and demonstrated that recombinant GatAB converts Glu-tRNA(Gln) to Gln-tRNA(Gln) in vitro. We demonstrate that the apicoplast GatAB-catalyzed reaction is essential to the parasite blood stages because we could not delete the Plasmodium berghei gene encoding GatA in blood stage parasites in vivo. A phylogenetic analysis placed the split between Plasmodium GatB, archaeal GatE, and bacterial GatB prior to the phylogenetic divide between bacteria and archaea. Moreover, Plasmodium GatA also appears to have emerged prior to the bacterial-archaeal phylogenetic divide. Thus, although GatAB is found in Plasmodium, it emerged prior to the phylogenetic separation of archaea and bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boniface M Mailu
- From the Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, Washington 98109
| | - Ling Li
- From the Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, Washington 98109
| | - Jen Arthur
- From the Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, Washington 98109
| | - Todd M Nelson
- From the Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, Washington 98109
| | - Gowthaman Ramasamy
- From the Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, Washington 98109
| | - Karin Fritz-Wolf
- the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen 35392 Germany, and the Max-Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Becker
- the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus Liebig University, Giessen 35392 Germany, and
| | - Malcolm J Gardner
- From the Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, Washington 98109, the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195,
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Dewage SW, Cisneros GA. Computational analysis of ammonia transfer along two intramolecular tunnels in Staphylococcus aureus glutamine-dependent amidotransferase (GatCAB). J Phys Chem B 2015; 119:3669-77. [PMID: 25654336 DOI: 10.1021/jp5123568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Most bacteria and all archaea misacylate the tRNAs corresponding to Asn and Gln with Asp and Glu (Asp-tRNA(Asn) and Glu-tRNA(Gln)).The GatCAB enzyme of most bacteria converts misacylated Glu-tRNA(Gln) to Gln-tRNA(Gln) in order to enable the incorporation of glutamine during protein synthesis. The conversion process involves the intramolecular transfer of ammonia between two spatially separated active sites. This study presents a computational analysis of the two putative intramolecular tunnels that have been suggested to describe the ammonia transfer between the two active sites. Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed for wild-type GatCAB of S. aureus and its mutants: T175(A)V, K88(B)R, E125(B)D, and E125(B)Q. The two tunnels have been analyzed in terms of free energy of ammonia transfer along them. The probability of occurrence of each type of tunnel and the variation of the probability for wild-type GatCAB and its mutants is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sajeewa Walimuni Dewage
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University , 5101 Cass Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Structure of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa transamidosome reveals unique aspects of bacterial tRNA-dependent asparagine biosynthesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 112:382-7. [PMID: 25548166 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1423314112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many prokaryotes lack a tRNA synthetase to attach asparagine to its cognate tRNA(Asn), and instead synthesize asparagine from tRNA(Asn)-bound aspartate. This conversion involves two enzymes: a nondiscriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (ND-AspRS) that forms Asp-tRNA(Asn), and a heterotrimeric amidotransferase GatCAB that amidates Asp-tRNA(Asn) to form Asn-tRNA(Asn) for use in protein synthesis. ND-AspRS, GatCAB, and tRNA(Asn) may assemble in an ∼400-kDa complex, known as the Asn-transamidosome, which couples the two steps of asparagine biosynthesis in space and time to yield Asn-tRNA(Asn). We report the 3.7-Å resolution crystal structure of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Asn-transamidosome, which represents the most common machinery for asparagine biosynthesis in bacteria. We show that, in contrast to a previously described archaeal-type transamidosome, a bacteria-specific GAD domain of ND-AspRS provokes a principally new architecture of the complex. Both tRNA(Asn) molecules in the transamidosome simultaneously serve as substrates and scaffolds for the complex assembly. This architecture rationalizes an elevated dynamic and a greater turnover of ND-AspRS within bacterial-type transamidosomes, and possibly may explain a different evolutionary pathway of GatCAB in organisms with bacterial-type vs. archaeal-type Asn-transamidosomes. Importantly, because the two-step pathway for Asn-tRNA(Asn) formation evolutionarily preceded the direct attachment of Asn to tRNA(Asn), our structure also may reflect the mechanism by which asparagine was initially added to the genetic code.
Collapse
|
19
|
Alperstein A, Ulrich B, Garofalo DM, Dreisbach R, Raff H, Sheppard K. The predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus aspartyl-tRNA synthetase recognizes tRNAAsn as a substrate. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110842. [PMID: 25338061 PMCID: PMC4206432 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus preys on other Gram-negative bacteria and was predicted to be an asparagine auxotroph. However, despite encoding asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase and glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase, B. bacteriovorus also contains the amidotransferase GatCAB. Deinococcus radiodurans, and Thermus thermophilus also encode both of these aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases with GatCAB. Both also code for a second aspartyl-tRNA synthetase and use the additional aspartyl-tRNA synthetase with GatCAB to synthesize asparagine on tRNAAsn. Unlike those two bacteria, B. bacteriovorus encodes only one aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. Here we demonstrate the lone B. bacteriovorus aspartyl-tRNA synthetase catalyzes aspartyl-tRNAAsn formation that GatCAB can then amidate to asparaginyl-tRNAAsn. This non-discriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase with GatCAB thus provides B. bacteriovorus a second route for Asn-tRNAAsn formation with the asparagine synthesized in a tRNA-dependent manner. Thus, in contrast to a previous prediction, B. bacteriovorus codes for a biosynthetic route for asparagine. Analysis of bacterial genomes suggests a significant number of other bacteria may also code for both routes for Asn-tRNAAsn synthesis with only a limited number encoding a second aspartyl-tRNA synthetase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Alperstein
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, United States of America
| | - Brittany Ulrich
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, United States of America
| | - Denise M. Garofalo
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, United States of America
| | - Ruth Dreisbach
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, United States of America
| | - Hannah Raff
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, United States of America
| | - Kelly Sheppard
- Chemistry Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Mladenova SR, Stein KR, Bartlett L, Sheppard K. Relaxed tRNA specificity of theStaphylococcus aureusaspartyl-tRNA synthetase enables RNA-dependent asparagine biosynthesis. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:1808-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
21
|
Olsen AW, Andersen P, Follmann F. Characterization of protective immune responses promoted by human antigen targets in a urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis mouse model. Vaccine 2014; 32:685-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.11.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
22
|
Fuengfuloy P, Chuawong P, Suebka S, Wattana-amorn P, Williams C, Crump MP, Songsiriritthigul C. Overproduction of the N-terminal anticodon-binding domain of the non-discriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase from Helicobacter pylori for crystallization and NMR measurements. Protein Expr Purif 2013; 89:25-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2013.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2012] [Revised: 02/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
23
|
Akochy PM, Lapointe J, Roy PH. Natural insertion of the bro-1 β-lactamase gene into the gatCAB operon affects Moraxella catarrhalis aspartyl-tRNAAsn amidotransferase activity. Microbiology (Reading) 2012; 158:2363-2371. [DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.060095-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Marie Akochy
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, CHUQ Pavillon CHUL, 2705 boul. Laurier, RC-709, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire, 01 BP 490 Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, Université Laval, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Jacques Lapointe
- Institut de biologie intégrative et des systèmes (IBIS), Pavillon Charles-Eugène-Marchand, G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, Université Laval, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Paul H. Roy
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, CHUQ Pavillon CHUL, 2705 boul. Laurier, RC-709, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, Université Laval, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ito K, Murakami R, Mochizuki M, Qi H, Shimizu Y, Miura KI, Ueda T, Uchiumi T. Structural basis for the substrate recognition and catalysis of peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:10521-31. [PMID: 22923517 PMCID: PMC3488237 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase (Pth) cleaves the ester bond between the peptide and the tRNA of peptidyl-tRNA molecules, which are produced by aborted translation, to recycle tRNA for further rounds of protein synthesis. Pth is ubiquitous in nature, and its enzymatic activity is essential for bacterial viability. We have determined the crystal structure of Escherichia coli Pth in complex with the tRNA CCA-acceptor-TΨC domain, the enzyme-binding region of the tRNA moiety of the substrate, at 2.4 Å resolution. In combination with site-directed mutagenesis studies, the structure identified the amino acid residues involved in tRNA recognition. The structure also revealed that Pth interacts with the tRNA moiety through the backbone phosphates and riboses, and no base-specific interactions were observed, except for the interaction with the highly conserved base G53. This feature enables Pth to accept the diverse sequences of the elongator-tRNAs as substrate components. Furthermore, we propose an authentic Pth:peptidyl-tRNA complex model and a detailed mechanism for the hydrolysis reaction, based on the present crystal structure and the previous studies’ results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Ito
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi 2-no-cho, Nishi-ku, Niigata 950-2181, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Agarwal V, Nair SK. Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases as targets for antibiotic development. MEDCHEMCOMM 2012. [DOI: 10.1039/c2md20032e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
26
|
Olmedo-Verd E, Santamaría-Gómez J, Ochoa de Alda JAG, Ribas de Pouplana L, Luque I. Membrane anchoring of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases by convergent acquisition of a novel protein domain. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:41057-68. [PMID: 21965654 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.242461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Four distinct aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) found in some cyanobacterial species contain a novel protein domain that bears two putative transmembrane helices. This CAAD domain is present in glutamyl-, isoleucyl-, leucyl-, and valyl-tRNA synthetases, the latter of which has probably recruited the domain more than once during evolution. Deleting the CAAD domain from the valyl-tRNA synthetase of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 did not significantly modify the catalytic properties of this enzyme, suggesting that it does not participate in its canonical tRNA-charging function. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that the function of the CAAD domain is structural, mediating the membrane anchorage of the enzyme, although membrane localization of aaRSs has not previously been described in any living organism. Synthetases containing the CAAD domain were localized in the intracytoplasmic thylakoid membranes of cyanobacteria and were largely absent from the plasma membrane. The CAAD domain was necessary and apparently sufficient for protein targeting to membranes. Moreover, localization of aaRSs in thylakoids was important under nitrogen limiting conditions. In Anabaena, a multicellular filamentous cyanobacterium often used as a model for prokaryotic cell differentiation, valyl-tRNA synthetase underwent subcellular relocation at the cell poles during heterocyst differentiation, a process also dependent on the CAAD domain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Olmedo-Verd
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, C.S.I.C. and Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Américo Vespucio 49, E-41092 Seville, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Luque I, Riera-Alberola ML, Andújar A, Ochoa de Alda JAG. Intraphylum diversity and complex evolution of cyanobacterial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Mol Biol Evol 2008; 25:2369-89. [PMID: 18775898 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msn197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A comparative genomic analysis of 35 cyanobacterial strains has revealed that the gene complement of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) and routes for aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis may differ among the species of this phylum. Several genes encoding AARS paralogues were identified in some genomes. In-depth phylogenetic analysis was done for each of these proteins to gain insight into their evolutionary history. GluRS, HisRS, ArgRS, ThrRS, CysRS, and Glu-Q-RS showed evidence of a complex evolutionary course as indicated by a number of inconsistencies with our reference tree for cyanobacterial phylogeny. In addition to sequence data, support for evolutionary hypotheses involving horizontal gene transfer or gene duplication events was obtained from other observations including biased sequence conservation, the presence of indels (insertions or deletions), or vestigial traces of ancestral redundant genes. We present evidences for a novel protein domain with two putative transmembrane helices recruited independently by distinct AARS in particular cyanobacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Luque
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Américo Vespucio, Seville, Spain.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Abstract
The accurate formation of cognate aminoacyl-transfer RNAs (aa-tRNAs) is essential for the fidelity of translation. Most amino acids are esterified onto their cognate tRNA isoacceptors directly by aa-tRNA synthetases. However, in the case of four amino acids (Gln, Asn, Cys and Sec), aminoacyl-tRNAs are made through indirect pathways in many organisms across all three domains of life. The process begins with the charging of noncognate amino acids to tRNAs by a specialized synthetase in the case of Cys-tRNA(Cys) formation or by synthetases with relaxed specificity, such as the non-discriminating glutamyl-tRNA, non-discriminating aspartyl-tRNA and seryl-tRNA synthetases. The resulting misacylated tRNAs are then converted to cognate pairs through transformation of the amino acids on the tRNA, which is catalyzed by a group of tRNA-dependent modifying enzymes, such as tRNA-dependent amidotransferases, Sep-tRNA:Cys-tRNA synthase, O-phosphoseryl-tRNA kinase and Sep-tRNA:Sec-tRNA synthase. The majority of these indirect pathways are widely spread in all domains of life and thought to be part of the evolutionary process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yuan
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Hausmann CD, Ibba M. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complexes: molecular multitasking revealed. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2008; 32:705-21. [PMID: 18522650 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2008.00119.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The accurate synthesis of proteins, dictated by the corresponding nucleotide sequence encoded in mRNA, is essential for cell growth and survival. Central to this process are the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), which provide amino acid substrates for the growing polypeptide chain in the form of aminoacyl-tRNAs. The aaRSs are essential for coupling the correct amino acid and tRNA molecules, but are also known to associate in higher order complexes with proteins involved in processes beyond translation. Multiprotein complexes containing aaRSs are found in all three domains of life playing roles in splicing, apoptosis, viral assembly, and regulation of transcription and translation. An overview of the complexes aaRSs form in all domains of life is presented, demonstrating the extensive network of connections between the translational machinery and cellular components involved in a myriad of essential processes beyond protein synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corinne D Hausmann
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1292, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Bailly M, Blaise M, Roy H, Deniziak M, Lorber B, Birck C, Becker HD, Kern D. tRNA-dependent asparagine formation in prokaryotes: characterization, isolation and structural and functional analysis of a ribonucleoprotein particle generating Asn-tRNA(Asn). Methods 2008; 44:146-63. [PMID: 18241796 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2007.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2007] [Revised: 11/23/2007] [Accepted: 11/29/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In some living organisms the 20 aa-tRNA species participating in protein synthesis are not charged by a complete set of 20 aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. In prokaryotes, the deficiency of asparaginyl- and/or glutaminyl-tRNA synthetases is compensated by another aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase of relaxed specificity that mischarges the orphan tRNA and by an enzyme that converts the amino acid into that homologous to the tRNA. In Thermus thermophilus Asn-tRNA(Asn) is formed indirectly via a two-step pathway whereby tRNA(Asn) is mischarged with Asp that will subsequently be amidated into Asn by an amidotransferase. The non-discriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase, the trimeric GatCAB tRNA-dependent amidotransferase and the tRNA(Asn) promoting this pathway assemble into a ribonucleoprotein particle termed transamidosome. This article deals with the methods and techniques employed to clone the genes encoding the enzymes and the tRNA involved in this pathway, to express them in Escherichia coli, to isolate them on a large scale, and to transcribe and produce mg quantities of pure tRNA(Asn)in vitro. The approaches designed especially for this system include (i) clustering of the ORFs encoding the subunits of the heterotrimeric GatCAB that are sprinkled in the genome into an artificial operon, and (ii) the self-cleavage of the tRNA(Asn) transcript starting with U in 5' position through fusion with a hammerhead ribozyme. Further, the crystallization of the free enzymes is described and the characterization of their assembly with tRNA(Asn) into a ribonucleoprotein particle, as well as the investigation of the catalytic mechanism of Asn-tRNA(Asn) formation by the complex are reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Bailly
- UPR 9002 Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, 15 Rue René Descartes and Université Louis Pasteur, F-67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Sheppard K, Yuan J, Hohn MJ, Jester B, Devine KM, Söll D. From one amino acid to another: tRNA-dependent amino acid biosynthesis. Nucleic Acids Res 2008; 36:1813-25. [PMID: 18252769 PMCID: PMC2330236 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkn015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNAs (aa-tRNAs) are the essential substrates for translation. Most aa-tRNAs are formed by direct aminoacylation of tRNA catalyzed by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. However, a smaller number of aa-tRNAs (Asn-tRNA, Gln-tRNA, Cys-tRNA and Sec-tRNA) are made by synthesizing the amino acid on the tRNA by first attaching a non-cognate amino acid to the tRNA, which is then converted to the cognate one catalyzed by tRNA-dependent modifying enzymes. Asn-tRNA or Gln-tRNA formation in most prokaryotes requires amidation of Asp-tRNA or Glu-tRNA by amidotransferases that couple an amidase or an asparaginase to liberate ammonia with a tRNA-dependent kinase. Both archaeal and eukaryotic Sec-tRNA biosynthesis and Cys-tRNA synthesis in methanogens require O-phosophoseryl-tRNA formation. For tRNA-dependent Cys biosynthesis, O-phosphoseryl-tRNA synthetase directly attaches the amino acid to the tRNA which is then converted to Cys by Sep-tRNA: Cys-tRNA synthase. In Sec-tRNA synthesis, O-phosphoseryl-tRNA kinase phosphorylates Ser-tRNA to form the intermediate which is then modified to Sec-tRNA by Sep-tRNA:Sec-tRNA synthase. Complex formation between enzymes in the same pathway may protect the fidelity of protein synthesis. How these tRNA-dependent amino acid biosynthetic routes are integrated into overall metabolism may explain why they are still retained in so many organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Sheppard
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sheppard K, Akochy PM, Söll D. Assays for transfer RNA-dependent amino acid biosynthesis. Methods 2008; 44:139-45. [PMID: 18241795 PMCID: PMC2266967 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2007.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2007] [Accepted: 06/25/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Selenocysteinyl-tRNA(Sec), cysteinyl-tRNA(Cys), glutaminyl-tRNA(Gln), and asparaginyl-tRNA(Asn) in many organisms are formed in an indirect pathway in which a non-cognate amino acid is first attached to the tRNA. This non-cognate amino acid is then converted to the cognate amino acid by a tRNA-dependent modifying enzyme. The in vitro characterization of these modifying enzymes is challenging due to the fact the substrate, aminoacyl-tRNA, is labile and requires a prior enzymatic step to be synthesized. The need to separate product aa-tRNA from unreacted substrate is typically a labor- and time-intensive task; this adds another impediment in the investigation of these enzymes. Here, we review four different approaches for studying these tRNA-dependent amino acid modifications. In addition, we describe in detail a [32P]/nuclease P1 assay for glutaminyl-tRNA(Gln) and asparaginyl-tRNA(Asn) formation which is sensitive, enables monitoring of the aminoacyl state of the tRNA, and is less time consuming than some of the other techniques. This [32P]/nuclease P1 method should be adaptable to studying tRNA-dependent selenocysteine and cysteine synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Sheppard
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
| | - Pierre-Marie Akochy
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
| | - Dieter Söll
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Mocibob M, Weygand-Durasevic I. The proximal region of a noncatalytic eukaryotic seryl-tRNA synthetase extension is required for protein stability in vitro and in vivo. Arch Biochem Biophys 2008; 470:129-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2007.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2007] [Revised: 11/17/2007] [Accepted: 11/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
34
|
Sheppard K, Sherrer RL, Söll D. Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus tRNA Gln confines the amidotransferase GatCAB to asparaginyl-tRNA Asn formation. J Mol Biol 2008; 377:845-53. [PMID: 18291416 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2008.01.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2007] [Revised: 01/15/2008] [Accepted: 01/16/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Many prokaryotes form the amide aminoacyl-tRNAs glutaminyl-tRNA and asparaginyl-tRNA by tRNA-dependent amidation of the mischarged tRNA species, glutamyl-tRNA(Gln) or aspartyl-tRNA(Asn). Archaea employ two such amidotransferases, GatCAB and GatDE, while bacteria possess only one, GatCAB. The Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus GatDE is slightly more efficient using Asn as an amide donor than Gln (k(cat)/K(M) of 5.4 s(-1)/mM and 1.2 s(-1)/mM, respectively). Unlike the bacterial GatCAB enzymes studied to date, the M. thermautotrophicus GatCAB uses Asn almost as well as Gln as an amide donor (k(cat)/K(M) of 5.7 s(-1)/mM and 16.7 s(-1)/mM, respectively). In contrast to the initial characterization of the M. thermautotrophicus GatCAB as being able to form Asn-tRNA(Asn) and Gln-tRNA(Gln), our data demonstrate that while the enzyme is able to transamidate Asp-tRNA(Asn) (k(cat)/K(M) of 125 s(-1)/mM) it is unable to transamidate M. thermautotrophicus Glu-tRNA(Gln). However, M. thermautotrophicus GatCAB is capable of transamidating Glu-tRNA(Gln) from H. pylori or B. subtilis, and M. thermautotrophicus Glu-tRNA(Asn). Thus, M. thermautotrophicus encodes two amidotransferases, each with its own activity, GatDE for Gln-tRNA and GatCAB for Asn-tRNA synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Sheppard
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Sheppard K, Söll D. On the evolution of the tRNA-dependent amidotransferases, GatCAB and GatDE. J Mol Biol 2008; 377:831-44. [PMID: 18279892 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2008.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2007] [Revised: 12/21/2007] [Accepted: 01/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase and asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase evolved from glutamyl-tRNA synthetase and aspartyl-tRNA synthetase, respectively, after the split in the last universal communal ancestor (LUCA). Glutaminyl-tRNA(Gln) and asparaginyl-tRNA(Asn) were likely formed in LUCA by amidation of the mischarged species, glutamyl-tRNA(Gln) and aspartyl-tRNA(Asn), by tRNA-dependent amidotransferases, as is still the case in most bacteria and all known archaea. The amidotransferase GatCAB is found in both domains of life, while the heterodimeric amidotransferase GatDE is found only in Archaea. The GatB and GatE subunits belong to a unique protein family that includes Pet112 that is encoded in the nuclear genomes of numerous eukaryotes. GatE was thought to have evolved from GatB after the emergence of the modern lines of decent. Our phylogenetic analysis though places the split between GatE and GatB, prior to the phylogenetic divide between Bacteria and Archaea, and Pet112 to be of mitochondrial origin. In addition, GatD appears to have emerged prior to the bacterial-archaeal phylogenetic divide. Thus, while GatDE is an archaeal signature protein, it likely was present in LUCA together with GatCAB. Archaea retained both amidotransferases, while Bacteria emerged with only GatCAB. The presence of GatDE has favored a unique archaeal tRNA(Gln) that may be preventing the acquisition of glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase in Archaea. Archaeal GatCAB, on the other hand, has not favored a distinct tRNA(Asn), suggesting that tRNA(Asn) recognition is not a major barrier to the retention of asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase in many Archaea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Sheppard
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Sheppard K, Akochy PM, Salazar JC, Söll D. The Helicobacter pylori amidotransferase GatCAB is equally efficient in glutamine-dependent transamidation of Asp-tRNAAsn and Glu-tRNAGln. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:11866-73. [PMID: 17329242 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m700398200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The amide aminoacyl-tRNAs, Gln-tRNA(Gln) and Asn-tRNA(Asn), are formed in many bacteria by a pretranslational tRNA-dependent amidation of the mischarged tRNA species, Glu-tRNA(Gln) or Asp-tRNA(Asn). This conversion is catalyzed by a heterotrimeric amidotransferase GatCAB in the presence of ATP and an amide donor (Gln or Asn). Helicobacter pylori has a single GatCAB enzyme required in vivo for both Gln-tRNA(Gln) and Asn-tRNA(Asn) synthesis. In vitro characterization reveals that the enzyme transamidates Asp-tRNA(Asn) and Glu-tRNA(Gln) with similar efficiency (k(cat)/K(m) of 1368.4 s(-1)/mM and 3059.3 s(-1)/mM respectively). The essential glutaminase activity of the enzyme is a property of the A-subunit, which displays the characteristic amidase signature sequence. Mutations of the GatA catalytic triad residues (Lys(52), Ser(128), Ser(152)) abolished glutaminase activity and consequently the amidotransferase activity with glutamine as the amide donor. However, the latter activity was rescued when the mutant enzymes were presented with ammonium chloride. The presence of Asp-tRNA(Asn) and ATP enhances the glutaminase activity about 22-fold. H. pylori GatCAB uses the amide donor glutamine 129-fold more efficiently than asparagine, suggesting that GatCAB is a glutamine-dependent amidotransferase much like the unrelated asparagine synthetase B. Genomic analysis suggests that most bacteria synthesize asparagine in a glutamine-dependent manner, either by a tRNA-dependent or in a tRNA-independent route. However, all known bacteria that contain asparagine synthetase A form Asn-tRNA(Asn) by direct acylation catalyzed by asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase. Therefore, bacterial amide aminoacyl-tRNA formation is intimately tied to amide amino acid metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Sheppard
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8114, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Deniziak M, Sauter C, Becker HD, Paulus CA, Giegé R, Kern D. Deinococcus glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase is a chimer between proteins from an ancient and the modern pathways of aminoacyl-tRNA formation. Nucleic Acids Res 2007; 35:1421-31. [PMID: 17284460 PMCID: PMC1865053 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkl1164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase from Deinococcus radiodurans possesses a C-terminal extension of 215 residues appending the anticodon-binding domain. This domain constitutes a paralog of the Yqey protein present in various organisms and part of it is present in the C-terminal end of the GatB subunit of GatCAB, a partner of the indirect pathway of Gln-tRNAGln formation. To analyze the peculiarities of the structure–function relationship of this GlnRS related to the Yqey domain, a structure of the protein was solved from crystals diffracting at 2.3 Å and a docking model of the synthetase complexed to tRNAGln constructed. The comparison of the modeled complex with the structure of the E. coli complex reveals that all residues of E. coli GlnRS contacting tRNAGln are conserved in D. radiodurans GlnRS, leaving the functional role of the Yqey domain puzzling. Kinetic investigations and tRNA-binding experiments of full length and Yqey-truncated GlnRSs reveal that the Yqey domain is involved in tRNAGln recognition. They demonstrate that Yqey plays the role of an affinity-enhancer of GlnRS for tRNAGln acting only in cis. However, the presence of Yqey in free state in organisms lacking GlnRS, suggests that this domain may exert additional cellular functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hubert Dominique Becker
- *To whom correspondence should be addressed. +33 (0)3 88 41 70 41+33 (0)3 88 60 22 18 Correspondence may also be addressed to Daniel Kern. +33 (0)3 88 41 70 92 +33 (0)3 88 60 22 18;
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Xu P, Alves JM, Kitten T, Brown A, Chen Z, Ozaki LS, Manque P, Ge X, Serrano MG, Puiu D, Hendricks S, Wang Y, Chaplin MD, Akan D, Paik S, Peterson DL, Macrina FL, Buck GA. Genome of the opportunistic pathogen Streptococcus sanguinis. J Bacteriol 2007; 189:3166-75. [PMID: 17277061 PMCID: PMC1855836 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01808-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome of Streptococcus sanguinis is a circular DNA molecule consisting of 2,388,435 bp and is 177 to 590 kb larger than the other 21 streptococcal genomes that have been sequenced. The G+C content of the S. sanguinis genome is 43.4%, which is considerably higher than the G+C contents of other streptococci. The genome encodes 2,274 predicted proteins, 61 tRNAs, and four rRNA operons. A 70-kb region encoding pathways for vitamin B(12) biosynthesis and degradation of ethanolamine and propanediol was apparently acquired by horizontal gene transfer. The gene complement suggests new hypotheses for the pathogenesis and virulence of S. sanguinis and differs from the gene complements of other pathogenic and nonpathogenic streptococci. In particular, S. sanguinis possesses a remarkable abundance of putative surface proteins, which may permit it to be a primary colonizer of the oral cavity and agent of streptococcal endocarditis and infection in neutropenic patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ping Xu
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284-2030, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Namgoong S, Sheppard K, Sherrer RL, Söll D. Co-evolution of the archaeal tRNA-dependent amidotransferase GatCAB with tRNA(Asn). FEBS Lett 2007; 581:309-14. [PMID: 17214986 PMCID: PMC1808439 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2006] [Revised: 12/12/2006] [Accepted: 12/13/2006] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The important identity elements in tRNA(Gln) and tRNA(Asn) for bacterial GatCAB and in tRNA(Gln) for archaeal GatDE are the D-loop and the first base pair of the acceptor stem. Here we show that Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus GatCAB, the archaeal enzyme, is different as it discriminates Asp-tRNA(Asp) and Asp-tRNA(Asn) by use of U49, the D-loop and to a lesser extent the variable loop. Since archaea possess the tRNA(Gln)-specific amidotransferase GatDE, the archaeal GatCAB enzyme evolved to recognize different elements in tRNA(Asn) than those recognized by GatDE or by the bacterial GatCAB enzyme in their tRNA substrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suk Namgoong
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520 8114, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Cathopoulis TJT, Chuawong P, Hendrickson TL. A thin-layer electrophoretic assay for Asp-tRNAAsn/Glu-tRNAGln amidotransferase. Anal Biochem 2006; 360:151-3. [PMID: 17113030 PMCID: PMC1800913 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2006.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2006] [Revised: 10/17/2006] [Accepted: 10/18/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
41
|
Bailly M, Giannouli S, Blaise M, Stathopoulos C, Kern D, Becker HD. A single tRNA base pair mediates bacterial tRNA-dependent biosynthesis of asparagine. Nucleic Acids Res 2006; 34:6083-94. [PMID: 17074748 PMCID: PMC1635274 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkl622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In many prokaryotes and in organelles asparagine and glutamine are formed by a tRNA-dependent amidotransferase (AdT) that catalyzes amidation of aspartate and glutamate, respectively, mischarged on tRNAAsn and tRNAGln. These pathways supply the deficiency of the organism in asparaginyl- and glutaminyl-tRNA synthtetases and provide the translational machinery with Asn-tRNAAsn and Gln-tRNAGln. So far, nothing is known about the structural elements that confer to tRNA the role of a specific cofactor in the formation of the cognate amino acid. We show herein, using aspartylated tRNAAsn and tRNAAsp variants, that amidation of Asp acylating tRNAAsn is promoted by the base pair U1-A72 whereas the G1-C72 pair and presence of the supernumerary nucleotide U20A in the D-loop of tRNAAsp prevent amidation. We predict, based on comparison of tRNAGln and tRNAGlu sequence alignments from bacteria using the AdT-dependent pathway to form Gln-tRNAGln, that the same combination of nucleotides also rules specific tRNA-dependent formation of Gln. In contrast, we show that the tRNA-dependent conversion of Asp into Asn by archaeal AdT is mainly mediated by nucleotides G46 and U47 of the variable region. In the light of these results we propose that bacterial and archaeal AdTs use kingdom-specific signals to catalyze the tRNA-dependent formations of Asn and Gln.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adenine/chemistry
- Asparagine/biosynthesis
- Base Sequence
- Kinetics
- Neisseria meningitidis/enzymology
- Nitrogenous Group Transferases/chemistry
- Nitrogenous Group Transferases/metabolism
- RNA, Archaeal/chemistry
- RNA, Archaeal/metabolism
- RNA, Bacterial/chemistry
- RNA, Bacterial/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer, Asn/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Asn/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer, Asp/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Asp/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer, Gln/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Gln/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer, Glu/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Glu/metabolism
- Sequence Alignment
- Species Specificity
- Substrate Specificity
- Uridine/chemistry
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stamatina Giannouli
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly26 Ploutonos street, 41221 Larissa, Greece
| | | | - Constantinos Stathopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly26 Ploutonos street, 41221 Larissa, Greece
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +33 3 88 41 70 92; Fax: +33 3 88 60 22 18;
| | - Daniel Kern
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +33 3 88 41 70 92; Fax: +33 3 88 60 22 18;
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Chuawong P, Hendrickson TL. The nondiscriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase from Helicobacter pylori: anticodon-binding domain mutations that impact tRNA specificity and heterologous toxicity. Biochemistry 2006; 45:8079-87. [PMID: 16800632 PMCID: PMC2654173 DOI: 10.1021/bi060189c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Divergent tRNA substrate recognition patterns distinguish the two distinct forms of aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (AspRS) that exist in different bacteria. In some cases, a canonical, discriminating AspRS (D-AspRS) specifically generates Asp-tRNA(Asp) and usually coexists with asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (AsnRS). In other bacteria, particularly those that lack AsnRS, AspRS is nondiscriminating (ND-AspRS) and generates both Asp-tRNA(Asp) and the noncanonical, misacylated Asp-tRNA(Asn); this misacylated tRNA is subsequently repaired by the glutamine-dependent Asp-tRNA(Asn)/Glu-tRNA(Gln) amidotransferase (Asp/Glu-Adt). The molecular features that distinguish the closely related bacterial D-AspRS and ND-AspRS are not well-understood. Here, we report the first characterization of the ND-AspRS from the human pathogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori or Hp). This enzyme is toxic when heterologously overexpressed in Escherichia coli. This toxicity is rescued upon coexpression of the Hp Asp/Glu-Adt, indicating that Hp Asp/Glu-Adt can utilize E. coli Asp-tRNA(Asn) as a substrate. Finally, mutations in the anticodon-binding domain of Hp ND-AspRS reduce this enzyme's ability to misacylate tRNA(Asn), in a manner that correlates with the toxicity of the enzyme in E. coli.
Collapse
|
43
|
Oshikane H, Sheppard K, Fukai S, Nakamura Y, Ishitani R, Numata T, Sherrer RL, Feng L, Schmitt E, Panvert M, Blanquet S, Mechulam Y, Söll D, Nureki O. Structural basis of RNA-dependent recruitment of glutamine to the genetic code. Science 2006; 312:1950-4. [PMID: 16809540 DOI: 10.1126/science.1128470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Glutaminyl-transfer RNA (Gln-tRNA(Gln)) in archaea is synthesized in a pretranslational amidation of misacylated Glu-tRNA(Gln) by the heterodimeric Glu-tRNA(Gln) amidotransferase GatDE. Here we report the crystal structure of the Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus GatDE complexed to tRNA(Gln) at 3.15 angstroms resolution. Biochemical analysis of GatDE and of tRNA(Gln) mutants characterized the catalytic centers for the enzyme's three reactions (glutaminase, kinase, and amidotransferase activity). A 40 angstrom-long channel for ammonia transport connects the active sites in GatD and GatE. tRNA(Gln) recognition by indirect readout based on shape complementarity of the D loop suggests an early anticodon-independent RNA-based mechanism for adding glutamine to the genetic code.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Acylation
- Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism
- Ammonia/metabolism
- Anticodon
- Binding Sites
- Catalytic Domain
- Computer Simulation
- Crystallography, X-Ray
- Dimerization
- Genetic Code
- Glutamine/metabolism
- Hydrogen Bonding
- Magnesium/metabolism
- Methanobacteriaceae/enzymology
- Methanobacteriaceae/genetics
- Models, Molecular
- Mutation
- Nitrogenous Group Transferases/chemistry
- Nitrogenous Group Transferases/metabolism
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- Protein Structure, Quaternary
- Protein Structure, Secondary
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- RNA, Archaeal/chemistry
- RNA, Archaeal/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer, Gln/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Gln/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Oshikane
- Department of Biological Information, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 226-8501, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Abstract
The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are responsible for selecting specific amino acids for protein synthesis, and this essential role in translation has garnered them much attention as targets for novel antimicrobials. Understanding how the aaRSs evolved efficient substrate selection offers a potential route to develop useful inhibitors of microbial protein synthesis. Here, we discuss discrimination of small molecules by aaRSs, and how the evolutionary divergence of these mechanisms offers a means to target inhibitors against these essential microbial enzymes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandro F Ataide
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Bernard D, Akochy PM, Beaulieu D, Lapointe J, Roy PH. Two residues in the anticodon recognition domain of the aspartyl-tRNA synthetase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa are individually implicated in the recognition of tRNAAsn. J Bacteriol 2006; 188:269-74. [PMID: 16352843 PMCID: PMC1317590 DOI: 10.1128/jb.188.1.269-274.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In many organisms, the formation of asparaginyl-tRNA is not done by direct aminoacylation of tRNA(Asn) but by specific tRNA-dependent transamidation of aspartyl-tRNA(Asn). This transamidation pathway involves a nondiscriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (AspRS) that charges both tRNA(Asp) and tRNA(Asn) with aspartic acid. Recently, it has been shown for the first time in an organism (Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1) that the transamidation pathway is the only route of synthesis of Asn-tRNA(Asn) but does not participate in Gln-tRNA(Gln) formation. P. aeruginosa PAO1 has a nondiscriminating AspRS. We report here the identification of two residues in the anticodon recognition domain (H31 and G83) which are implicated in the recognition of tRNA(Asn). Sequence comparisons of putative discriminating and nondiscriminating AspRSs (based on the presence or absence of the AdT operon and of AsnRS) revealed that bacterial nondiscriminating AspRSs possess a histidine at position 31 and usually a glycine at position 83, whereas discriminating AspRSs possess a leucine at position 31 and a residue other than a glycine at position 83. Mutagenesis of these residues of P. aeruginosa AspRS from histidine to leucine and from glycine to lysine increased the specificity of tRNA(Asp) charging over that of tRNA(Asn) by 3.5-fold and 4.2-fold, respectively. Thus, we show these residues to be determinants of the relaxed specificity of this nondiscriminating AspRS. Using available crystallographic data, we found that the H31 residue could interact with the central bases of the anticodons of the tRNA(Asp) and tRNA(Asn). Therefore, these two determinants of specificity of P. aeruginosa AspRS could be important for all bacterial AspRSs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Bernard
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, CHU Laval, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, RC-709, Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Canada G1V 4G2
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Sabina J, Söll D. The RNA-binding PUA domain of archaeal tRNA-guanine transglycosylase is not required for archaeosine formation. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:6993-7001. [PMID: 16407303 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m512841200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial tRNA-guanine transglycosylase (TGT) replaces the G in position 34 of tRNA with preQ(1), the precursor to the modified nucleoside queuosine. Archaeal TGT, in contrast, substitutes preQ(0) for the G in position 15 of tRNA as the first step in archaeosine formation. The archaeal enzyme is about 60% larger than the bacterial protein; a carboxyl-terminal extension of 230 amino acids contains the PUA domain known to contact the four 3'-terminal nucleotides of tRNA. Here we show that the C-terminal extension of the enzyme is not required for the selection of G15 as the site of base exchange; truncated forms of Pyrococcus furiosus TGT retain their specificity for guanine exchange at position 15. Deletion of the PUA domain causes a 4-fold drop in the observed k(cat) (2.8 x 10(-3) s(-1)) and results in a 75-fold increased K(m) for tRNA(Asp)(1.2 x 10(-5) m) compared with full-length TGT. Mutations in tRNA(Asp) altering or abolishing interactions with the PUA domain can compete with wild-type tRNA(Asp) for binding to full-length and truncated TGT enzymes. Whereas the C-terminal domains do not appear to play a role in selection of the modification site, their relevance for enzyme function and their role in vivo remains to be discovered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Sabina
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ouzounis CA, Kunin V, Darzentas N, Goldovsky L. A minimal estimate for the gene content of the last universal common ancestor--exobiology from a terrestrial perspective. Res Microbiol 2005; 157:57-68. [PMID: 16431085 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2005.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2005] [Revised: 06/15/2005] [Accepted: 06/30/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Using an algorithm for ancestral state inference of gene content, given a large number of extant genome sequences and a phylogenetic tree, we aim to reconstruct the gene content of the last universal common ancestor (LUCA), a hypothetical life form that presumably was the progenitor of the three domains of life. The method allows for gene loss, previously found to be a major factor in shaping gene content, and thus the estimate of LUCA's gene content appears to be substantially higher than that proposed previously, with a typical number of over 1000 gene families, of which more than 90% are also functionally characterized. More precisely, when only prokaryotes are considered, the number varies between 1006 and 1189 gene families while when eukaryotes are also included, this number increases to between 1344 and 1529 families depending on the underlying phylogenetic tree. Therefore, the common belief that the hypothetical genome of LUCA should resemble those of the smallest extant genomes of obligate parasites is not supported by recent advances in computational genomics. Instead, a fairly complex genome similar to those of free-living prokaryotes, with a variety of functional capabilities including metabolic transformation, information processing, membrane/transport proteins and complex regulation, shared between the three domains of life, emerges as the most likely progenitor of life on Earth, with profound repercussions for planetary exploration and exobiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christos A Ouzounis
- Computational Genomics Group, The European Bioinformatics Institute, EMBL Cambridge Outstation, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ward N, Larsen Ø, Sakwa J, Bruseth L, Khouri H, Durkin AS, Dimitrov G, Jiang L, Scanlan D, Kang KH, Lewis M, Nelson KE, Methé B, Wu M, Heidelberg JF, Paulsen IT, Fouts D, Ravel J, Tettelin H, Ren Q, Read T, DeBoy RT, Seshadri R, Salzberg SL, Jensen HB, Birkeland NK, Nelson WC, Dodson RJ, Grindhaug SH, Holt I, Eidhammer I, Jonasen I, Vanaken S, Utterback T, Feldblyum TV, Fraser CM, Lillehaug JR, Eisen JA. Genomic insights into methanotrophy: the complete genome sequence of Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath). PLoS Biol 2004; 2:e303. [PMID: 15383840 PMCID: PMC517821 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.0020303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2004] [Accepted: 07/14/2004] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Methanotrophs are ubiquitous bacteria that can use the greenhouse gas methane as a sole carbon and energy source for growth, thus playing major roles in global carbon cycles, and in particular, substantially reducing emissions of biologically generated methane to the atmosphere. Despite their importance, and in contrast to organisms that play roles in other major parts of the carbon cycle such as photosynthesis, no genome-level studies have been published on the biology of methanotrophs. We report the first complete genome sequence to our knowledge from an obligate methanotroph, Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath), obtained by the shotgun sequencing approach. Analysis revealed a 3.3-Mb genome highly specialized for a methanotrophic lifestyle, including redundant pathways predicted to be involved in methanotrophy and duplicated genes for essential enzymes such as the methane monooxygenases. We used phylogenomic analysis, gene order information, and comparative analysis with the partially sequenced methylotroph Methylobacterium extorquens to detect genes of unknown function likely to be involved in methanotrophy and methylotrophy. Genome analysis suggests the ability of M. capsulatus to scavenge copper (including a previously unreported nonribosomal peptide synthetase) and to use copper in regulation of methanotrophy, but the exact regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. One of the most surprising outcomes of the project is evidence suggesting the existence of previously unsuspected metabolic flexibility in M. capsulatus, including an ability to grow on sugars, oxidize chemolithotrophic hydrogen and sulfur, and live under reduced oxygen tension, all of which have implications for methanotroph ecology. The availability of the complete genome of M. capsulatus (Bath) deepens our understanding of methanotroph biology and its relationship to global carbon cycles. We have gained evidence for greater metabolic flexibility than was previously known, and for genetic components that may have biotechnological potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Ward
- The Institute for Genomic Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ibba
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1292, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Salazar JC, Ambrogelly A, Crain PF, McCloskey JA, Söll D. A truncated aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase modifies RNA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004; 101:7536-41. [PMID: 15096612 PMCID: PMC419641 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0401982101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are modular enzymes composed of a central active site domain to which additional functional domains were appended in the course of evolution. Analysis of bacterial genome sequences revealed the presence of many shorter aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase paralogs. Here we report the characterization of a well conserved glutamyl-tRNA synthetase (GluRS) paralog (YadB in Escherichia coli) that is present in the genomes of >40 species of proteobacteria, cyanobacteria, and actinobacteria. The E. coli yadB gene encodes a truncated GluRS that lacks the C-terminal third of the protein and, consequently, the anticodon binding domain. Generation of a yadB disruption showed the gene to be dispensable for E. coli growth in rich and minimal media. Unlike GluRS, the YadB protein was able to activate glutamate in presence of ATP in a tRNA-independent fashion and to transfer glutamate onto tRNA(Asp). Neither tRNA(Glu) nor tRNA(Gln) were substrates. In contrast to canonical aminoacyl-tRNA, glutamate was not esterified to the 3'-terminal adenosine of tRNA(Asp). Instead, it was attached to the 2-amino-5-(4,5-dihydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-yl) moiety of queuosine, the modified nucleoside occupying the first anticodon position of tRNA(Asp). Glutamyl-queuosine, like canonical Glu-tRNA, was hydrolyzed by mild alkaline treatment. Analysis of tRNA isolated under acidic conditions showed that this novel modification is present in normal E. coli tRNA; presumably it previously escaped detection as the standard conditions of tRNA isolation include an alkaline deacylation step that also causes hydrolysis of glutamyl-queuosine. Thus, this aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase fragment contributes to standard nucleotide modification of tRNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Salazar
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|