Structure and binding mode of a ribosome recycling factor (RRF) from mesophilic bacterium

Key Intermediates in Ribosome Recycling Visualized by Time-Resolved Cryoelectron Microscopy

Upon encountering a stop codon on mRNA, polypeptide synthesis on the ribosome is terminated by release factors, and the ribosome complex, still bound with mRNA and P-site-bound tRNA (post-termination complex, PostTC), is split into ribosomal subunits, ready for a new round of translational initiation. Separation of post-termination ribosomes into subunits, or "ribosome recycling," is promoted by the joint action of ribosome-recycling factor (RRF) and elongation factor G (EF-G) in a guanosine triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis-dependent manner. Here we used a mixing-spraying-based method of time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to visualize the short-lived intermediates of the recycling process. The two complexes that contain (1) both RRF and EF-G bound to the PostTC or (2) deacylated tRNA bound to the 30S subunit are of particular interest. Our observations of the native form of these complexes demonstrate the strong potential of time-resolved cryo-EM for visualizing previously unobservable transient structures.

The C-terminal α-helix of YsxC is essential for its binding to 50S ribosome and rRNAs

YsxC is an essential P-loop GTPase that interacts with the 50S subunit of the ribosome. The putative implication in ribosome binding of two basic clusters of YsxC, a conserved positively charged patch including R31, R116, H117 and K146 lying adjacent to the nucleotide-binding site, and the C-terminal alpha helix, was investigated. C-terminal truncation variants of YsxC were unable to bind to both ribosome and rRNAs, whereas mutations in the other cluster did not affect YsxC binding. Our results indicate that the basic C-terminal region of YsxC is required for its binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit.

Interaction between Bacillus subtilis YsxC and ribosomes (or rRNAs)

YsxC is an essential P-loop GTPase, that binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit, and is required for the proper assembly of the ribosome. The aim of this study was to characterize YsxC ribosome interactions. The stoichiometry of YsxC ribosome subunit complex was evaluated. We showed that YsxC binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit is not affected by GTP, but in the presence of GDP the stoichiometry of YsxC-ribosome is decreased. YsxC GTPase activity was stimulated upon 50S ribosomal subunit binding. In addition, it is shown for the first time that YsxC binds both 16S and 23S ribosomal RNAs.

Structural insights into initial and intermediate steps of the ribosome-recycling process

The ribosome-recycling factor (RRF) and elongation factor-G (EF-G) disassemble the 70S post-termination complex (PoTC) into mRNA, tRNA, and two ribosomal subunits. We have determined cryo-electron microscopic structures of the PoTC·RRF complex, with and without EF-G. We find that domain II of RRF initially interacts with universally conserved residues of the 23S rRNA helices 43 and 95, and protein L11 within the 50S ribosomal subunit. Upon EF-G binding, both RRF and tRNA are driven towards the tRNA-exit (E) site, with a large rotational movement of domain II of RRF towards the 30S ribosomal subunit. During this intermediate step of the recycling process, domain II of RRF and domain IV of EF-G adopt hitherto unknown conformations. Furthermore, binding of EF-G to the PoTC·RRF complex reverts the ribosome from ratcheted to unratcheted state. These results suggest that (i) the ribosomal intersubunit reorganizations upon RRF binding and subsequent EF-G binding could be instrumental in destabilizing the PoTC and (ii) the modes of action of EF-G during tRNA translocation and ribosome-recycling steps are markedly different.

Computational protein design using flexible backbone remodeling and resurfacing: case studies in structure-based antigen design

Computational protein design has promise for vaccine design and other applications. We previously transplanted the HIV 4E10 epitope onto non-HIV protein scaffolds for structural stabilization and immune presentation. Here, we developed two methods to optimize the structure of an antigen, flexible backbone remodeling and resurfacing, and we applied these methods to a 4E10 scaffold. In flexible-backbone remodeling, an existing backbone segment is replaced by a de novo designed segment of prespecified length and secondary structure. With remodeling, we replaced a potentially immunodominant domain on the scaffold with a helix-loop segment that made intimate contact to the protein core. All three domain trim designs tested experimentally had improved thermal stability and similar binding affinity for the 4E10 antibody compared to the parent scaffold. A crystal structure of one design had a 0.8 Å backbone RMSD to the computational model in the rebuilt region. Comparison of parent and trimmed scaffold reactivity to anti-parent sera confirmed the deletion of an immunodominant domain. In resurfacing, the surface of an antigen outside a target epitope is redesigned to obtain variants that maintain only the target epitope. Resurfaced variants of two scaffolds were designed in which 50 positions amounting to 40% of the protein sequences were mutated. Surface-patch analyses indicated that most potential antibody footprints outside the 4E10 epitope were altered. The resurfaced variants maintained thermal stability and binding affinity. These results indicate that flexible-backbone remodeling and resurfacing are useful tools for antigen optimization and protein engineering generally.

Structural Insights into ribosome recycling factor interactions with the 70S ribosome

At the end of translation in bacteria, ribosome recycling factor (RRF) is used together with elongation factor G to recycle the 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits for the next round of translation. In x-ray crystal structures of RRF with the Escherichia coli 70S ribosome, RRF binds to the large ribosomal subunit in the cleft that contains the peptidyl transferase center. Upon binding of either E. coli or Thermus thermophilus RRF to the E. coli ribosome, the tip of ribosomal RNA helix 69 in the large subunit moves away from the small subunit toward RRF by 8 A, thereby disrupting a key contact between the small and large ribosomal subunits termed bridge B2a. In the ribosome crystals, the ability of RRF to destabilize bridge B2a is influenced by crystal packing forces. Movement of helix 69 involves an ordered-to-disordered transition upon binding of RRF to the ribosome. The disruption of bridge B2a upon RRF binding to the ribosome seen in the present structures reveals one of the key roles that RRF plays in ribosome recycling, the dissociation of 70S ribosomes into subunits. The structures also reveal contacts between domain II of RRF and protein S12 in the 30S subunit that may also play a role in ribosome recycling.

Specific interaction between EF-G and RRF and its implication for GTP-dependent ribosome splitting into subunits

After termination of protein synthesis, the bacterial ribosome is split into its 30S and 50S subunits by the action of ribosome recycling factor (RRF) and elongation factor G (EF-G) in a guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP)-hydrolysis-dependent manner. Based on a previous cryo-electron microscopy study of ribosomal complexes, we have proposed that the binding of EF-G to an RRF-containing posttermination ribosome triggers an interdomain rotation of RRF, which destabilizes two strong intersubunit bridges (B2a and B3) and, ultimately, separates the two subunits. Here, we present a 9-A (Fourier shell correlation cutoff of 0.5) cryo-electron microscopy map of a 50S x EF-G x guanosine 5'-[(betagamma)-imido]triphosphate x RRF complex and a quasi-atomic model derived from it, showing the interaction between EF-G and RRF on the 50S subunit in the presence of the noncleavable GTP analogue guanosine 5'-[(betagamma)-imido]triphosphate. The detailed information in this model and a comparative analysis of EF-G structures in various nucleotide- and ribosome-bound states show how rotation of the RRF head domain may be triggered by various domains of EF-G. For validation of our structural model, all known mutations in EF-G and RRF that relate to ribosome recycling have been taken into account. More importantly, our results indicate a substantial conformational change in the Switch I region of EF-G, suggesting that a conformational signal transduction mechanism, similar to that employed in transfer RNA translocation on the ribosome by EF-G, translates a large-scale movement of EF-G's domain IV, induced by GTP hydrolysis, into the domain rotation of RRF that eventually splits the ribosome into subunits.

C-terminal effect of Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis ribosome recycling factor on its activity and conformation changes

The in vivo activities and conformational changes of ribosome recycling factor from Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis (TteRRF) with 12 successive C-terminal deletions were compared. The results showed that TteRRF mutants lacking one to four amino acid residues are inactive, those lacking five to nine are reactivated to a similar or a little higher level than wild-type TteRRF, and those lacking ten to twelve are inactivated again gradually. Conformational studies indicated that only the ANS binding fluorescence change is correlated well with the RRF in vivo activity change, while the secondary structure and local structure at the aromatic residues are not changed significantly. Trypsin cleavage site identification and protein stability measurement suggested that mutation only induced subtle conformation change and increased flexibility of the protein. Our results indicated that the ANS-detected local conformation changes of TteRRF and mutants are one verified direct reason of the in vivo inactivation and reactivation in Escherichia coli.

Crystal structure of the ribosome recycling factor bound to the ribosome

In bacteria, disassembly of the ribosome at the end of translation is facilitated by an essential protein factor termed ribosome recycling factor (RRF), which works in concert with elongation factor G. Here we describe the crystal structure of the Thermus thermophilus RRF bound to a 70S ribosomal complex containing a stop codon in the A site, a transfer RNA anticodon stem-loop in the P site and tRNA(fMet) in the E site. The work demonstrates that structures of translation factors bound to 70S ribosomes can be determined at reasonably high resolution. Contrary to earlier reports, we did not observe any RRF-induced changes in bridges connecting the two subunits. This suggests that such changes are not a direct requirement for or consequence of RRF binding but possibly arise from the subsequent stabilization of a hybrid state of the ribosome.

Progression of the Ribosome Recycling Factor through the Ribosome Dissociates the Two Ribosomal Subunits

After the termination step of translation, the posttermination complex (PoTC), composed of the ribosome, mRNA, and a deacylated tRNA, is processed by the concerted action of the ribosome-recycling factor (RRF), elongation factor G (EF-G), and GTP to prepare the ribosome for a fresh round of protein synthesis. However, the sequential steps of dissociation of the ribosomal subunits, and release of mRNA and deacylated tRNA from the PoTC, are unclear. Using three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy, in conjunction with undecagold-labeled RRF, we show that RRF is capable of spontaneously moving from its initial binding site on the 70S Escherichia coli ribosome to a site exclusively on the large 50S ribosomal subunit. This movement leads to disruption of crucial intersubunit bridges and thereby to the dissociation of the two ribosomal subunits, the central event in ribosome recycling. Results of this study allow us to propose a model of ribosome recycling.

Ribosome recycling: An essential process of protein synthesis

A preponderance of textbooks outlines cellular protein synthesis (translation) in three basic steps: initiation, elongation, and termination. However, researchers in the field of translation accept that a vital fourth step exists; this fourth step is called ribosome recycling. Ribosome recycling occurs after the nascent polypeptide has been released during the termination step. Despite the release of the polypeptide, ribosomes remain bound to the mRNA and tRNA. It is only during the fourth step of translation that ribosomes are ultimately released from the mRNA, split into subunits, and are free to bind new mRNA, thus the term "ribosome recycling." This step is essential to the viability of cells. In bacteria, it is catalyzed by two proteins, elongation factor G and ribosome recycling factor, a near perfect structural mimic of tRNA. Eukaryotic organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts possess ribosome recycling factor and elongation factor G homologues, but the nature of ribosome recycling in eukaryotic cytoplasm is still under investigation. In this review, the discovery of ribosome recycling and the basic mechanisms involved are discussed so that textbook writers and teachers can include this vital step, which is just as important as the three conventional steps, in sections dealing with protein synthesis.

Mechanism of recycling of post-termination ribosomal complexes in eubacteria: A new role of initiation factor 3

Ribosome recycling is a process which dissociates the post-termination complexes (post-TC) consisting of mRNA-bound ribosomes harbouring deacylated tRNA(s). Ribosome recycling factor (RRF), and elongation factor G (EFG) participate in this crucial process to free the ribosomal subunits for a new round of translation. We discuss the over-all pathway of ribosome recycling in eubacteria with especial reference to the important role of the initiation factor 3 (IF3) in this process. Depending on the step(s) at which IF3 function is implicated, three models have been proposed. In model 1, RRF and EFG dissociate the post-TCs into the 50S and 30S subunits, mRNA and tRNA(s). In this model, IF3, which binds to the 30S subunit, merely keeps the dissociated subunits apart by its anti-association activity. In model 2, RRF and EFG separate the 50S subunit from the post-TC. IF3 then dissociates the remaining complex of mRNA, tRNA and the 30S subunit, and keeps the ribosomal subunits apart from each other. However, in model 3, both the genetic and biochemical evidence support a more active role for IF3 even at the step of dissociation of the post-TC by RRF and EFG into the 50S and 30S subunits.

Cooperative unfolding of Escherichia coli ribosome recycling factor originating from its domain-domain interaction and its implication for function

Cooperative unfolding of Escherichia coli ribosome recycling factor (RRF) and its implication for function were investigated by comparing the in vitro unfolding and the in vivo activity of wild-type E. coli RRF and its temperature-sensitive mutant RRF(V117D). The experiments show that mutation V117D at domain I could perturb the domain II structure as evidenced in the near-UV CD and tyrosine fluorescence spectra though no significant globular conformation change occurred. Both equilibrium unfolding induced by heat or denaturant and kinetic unfolding induced by denaturant obey the two-state transition model, indicating V117D mutation does not perturb the efficient interdomain interaction, which results in cooperative unfolding of the RRF protein. However, the mutation significantly destabilizes the E. coli RRF protein, moving the thermal unfolding transition temperature range from 50-65 to 35-50 degrees C, which spans the non-permissive temperature for the growth of E. coli LJ14 strain (frr(ts)). The in vivo activity assays showed that although V117D mutation results in a temperature sensitive phenotype of E. coli LJ14 strain (frr(ts)), over-expression of mutant RRF(V117D) can eliminate the temperature sensitive phenotype at the non-permissive temperature (42 degrees C). Taking all the results into consideration, it can be suggested that the mechanism of the temperature sensitive phenotype of the E. coli LJ14 cells is due to inactivation of mutant RRF(V117D) caused by unfolding at the non-permissive temperatures.

Domain II plays a crucial role in the function of ribosome recycling factor

RRF (ribosome recycling factor) consists of two domains, and in concert with EF-G (elongation factor-G), triggers dissociation of the post-termination ribosomal complex. However, the function of the individual domains of RRF remains unclear. To clarify this, two RRF chimaeras, EcoDI/TteDII and TteDI/EcoDII, were created by domain swaps between the proteins from Escherichia coli and Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis. The ribosome recycling activity of the RRF chimaeras was compared with their wild-type RRFs by using in vivo and in vitro activity assays. Like wild-type TteRRF (T. tengcongensis RRF), the EcoDI/TteDII chimaera is non-functional in E. coli, but both wild-type TteRRF, and EcoDI/TteDII can be activated by coexpression of T. tengcongensis EF-G in E. coli. By contrast, like wild-type E. coli RRF (EcoRRF), TteDI/EcoDII is fully functional in E. coli. These findings suggest that domain II of RRF plays a crucial role in the concerted action of RRF and EF-G for the post-termination complex disassembly, and the specific interaction between RRF and EF-G on ribosomes mainly depends on the interaction between domain II of RRF and EF-G. This study provides direct genetic and biochemical evidence for the function of the individual domains of RRF.

The ribosome-recycling step: consensus or controversy?

Ribosome recycling, the last step in translation, is now accepted as an essential process for prokaryotes. In 2005, three laboratories showed that ribosome-recycling factor (RRF) and elongation factor G (EF-G) cause dissociation of ribosomes into subunits, solving the long-standing problem of how this essential step of translation occurs. However, there remains ongoing controversy regarding the other actions of RRF and EF-G during ribosome recycling. We propose that the available data are consistent with the notion that RRF and EF-G not only split ribosomes into subunits but also participate directly in the release of deacylated tRNA and mRNA for the next round of translation.

Structural biology of mycobacterial proteins: The Bangalore effort

As part of an international effort and a national programme, structural analysis of mycobacterial proteins involved in recombination and repair, stringent response and protein synthesis has been undertaken, and work on proteins in a couple of metabolic pathways has been initiated. Already X-ray analysed are Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis RecA and their nucleotide complexes, and different crystal forms of M. tuberculosis single-stranded DNA binding protein, M. smegmatis DNA binding protein from stationary phase cells and M. tuberculosis ribosome recycling factor. A comparative study involving these structures and those of similar proteins from other sources brings out the special features of the mycobacterial proteins, which are likely to be useful in selective inhibitor design. The structures provide insights into the plasticity of the molecules and its biological implications, and yield valuable information on their assembly and quaternary structure. They also provide leads for further structural investigations.

In vivo effect of inactivation of ribosome recycling factor - fate of ribosomes after unscheduled translation downstream of open reading frame

The post-termination ribosomal complex is disassembled by ribosome recycling factor (RRF) and elongation factor G. Without RRF, the ribosome is not released from mRNA at the termination codon and reinitiates translation downstream. This is called unscheduled translation. Here, we show that at the non-permissive temperature of a temperature-sensitive RRF strain, RRF is lost quickly, and some ribosomes reach the 3' end of mRNA. However, instead of accumulating at the 3' end of mRNA, ribosomes are released as monosomes. Some ribosomes are transferred to transfer-messenger RNA from the 3' end of mRNA. The monosomes thus produced are able to translate synthetic homopolymer but not natural mRNA with leader and canonical initiation signal. The pellet containing ribosomes appears to be responsible for rapid but reversible inhibition of most but not all of protein synthesis in vivo closely followed by decrease of cellular RNA and DNA synthesis.

Molecular mimicry: quantitative methods to study structural similarity between protein and RNA

With rapidly increasing availability of three-dimensional structures, one major challenge for the post-genome era is to infer the functions of biological molecules based on their structural similarity. While quantitative studies of structural similarity between the same type of biological molecules (e.g., protein vs. protein) have been carried out intensively, the comparable study of structural similarity between different types of biological molecules (e.g., protein vs. RNA) remains unexplored. Here we have developed a new bioinformatics approach to quantitatively study the structural similarity between two different types of biopolymers--proteins and RNA--based on the spatial distribution of conserved elements. We applied it to two previously proposed tRNA-protein mimicry pairs whose functional relatedness between two molecules has been recently determined experimentally. Our method detected the biologically meaningful signals, which are consistent with experimental evidence.

Expression in Escherichia coli, Purification and Characterization of Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis Ribosome Recycling Factor

A very promising approach to understanding the mechanism of protein thermostability is to investigate the structure-function relationship of homologous proteins with different thermostabilities. Ribosome recycling factor (RRF), which is an essential factor for protein synthesis in bacteria, may be a good candidate for such study. In this report, a ribosome recycling factor from Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis was expressed and characterized. This protein contains 184 residues, shows 51.4% identity to that of Escherichia coli RRF, and has very strong antigenic cross-reactivity with antibody to E. coli RRF. In vivo activity assay shows that weak residual activity may remain in TteRRF in E. coli cells. Circular dichroism spectral analysis shows that TteRRF has a very similar secondary structure to that of E. coli RRF, implying that they have similar tertiary structures. However, their thermostabilities are significantly different. To find which domain of RRF is mainly responsible for maintaining stability, TteDI/EcoDII and EcoDI/TteDII RRF chimeras were created. Their domain I and domain II are from E. coli and T. tengcongensis RRFs, respectively. The results of GdnHCl and heat induced denaturation of the chimeric RRFs suggest that the domain I plays a major role in maintaining the stability of the RRF molecule.

Mechanism for the Disassembly of the Posttermination Complex Inferred from Cryo-EM Studies

Ribosome recycling, the disassembly of the posttermination complex after each round of protein synthesis, is an essential step in mRNA translation, but its mechanism has remained obscure. In eubacteria, recycling is catalyzed by RRF (ribosome recycling factor) and EF-G (elongation factor G). By using cryo-electron microscopy, we have obtained two density maps, one of the RRF bound posttermination complex and one of the 50S subunit bound with both EF-G and RRF. Comparing the two maps, we found domain I of RRF to be in the same orientation, while domain II in the EF-G-containing 50S subunit is extensively rotated (approximately 60 degrees) compared to its orientation in the 70S complex. Mapping the 50S conformation of RRF onto the 70S posttermination complex suggests that it can disrupt the intersubunit bridges B2a and B3, and thus effect a separation of the two subunits. These observations provide the structural basis for the mechanism by which the posttermination complex is split into subunits by the joint action of RRF and EF-G.

Sequence of Steps in Ribosome Recycling as Defined by Kinetic Analysis

After termination of protein synthesis in bacteria, ribosomes are recycled from posttermination complexes by the combined action of elongation factor G (EF-G), ribosome recycling factor (RRF), and initiation factor 3 (IF3). The functions of the factors and the sequence in which ribosomal subunits, tRNA, and mRNA are released from posttermination complexes are unclear and, in part, controversial. Here, we study the reaction by rapid kinetics monitoring fluorescence. We show that RRF and EF-G with GTP, but not with GDPNP, promote the dissociation of 50S subunits from the posttermination complex without involving translocation or a translocation-like event. IF3 does not affect subunit dissociation but prevents reassociation, thereby masking the dissociating effect of EF-G-RRF under certain experimental conditions. IF3 is required for the subsequent ejection of tRNA and mRNA from the small subunit. The latter step is slower than subunit dissociation and constitutes the rate-limiting step of ribosome recycling.

Interaction of RRF and EF-G from E. coli and T. thermophilus with ribosomes from both origins--insight into the mechanism of the ribosome recycling step

Ribosome recycling factor (RRF), elongation factor-G (EF-G), and ribosomes from Thermus thermophilus (tt-) and Escherichia coli (ec-) were used to study the disassembly mechanism of post-termination ribosomal complexes by these factors. With tt-RRF, ec-EF-G can release bound-tRNA from ec-model post-termination complexes. However, tt-RRF is not released by ec-EF-G from ec-ribosomes. This complex with tt-RRF and ec-ribosomes after the tRNA release by ec-EF-G is regarded as an intermediate of the disassembly reaction. Not only tt-RRF, but also mRNA, cannot be released from ec-ribosomes by tt-RRF and ec-EF-G. These data suggest that the release of RRF from ribosomes is coupled or closely related to the release of mRNA during disassembly of post-termination complexes. With tt-ribosomes, ec-EF-G cannot release ribosome-bound ec-RRF even though they are from the same species, showing that proper interaction of ec-RRF and ec-EF-G does not occur on tt-ribosomes. On the other hand, in contrast to a published report, tt-EF-G functions with ec-RRF to disassemble ec-post-termination complexes. In support of this finding, tt-EF-G translocates peptidyl tRNA on ec-ribosomes and catalyzes ec-ribosome-dependent GTPase, showing that tt-EF-G has in vitro translocation activity with ec-ribosomes. Since tt-EF-G with ec-RRF can release tRNA from ec-post-termination complexes, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that the release of tRNA by RRF and EF-G from post-termination complexes is a result of a translocation-like activity of EF-G on RRF.

X-ray structural studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis RRF and a comparative study of RRFs of known structure. Molecular plasticity and biological implications

The crystal structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ribosome recycling factor has been determined and refined against three X-ray diffraction data sets, two collected at room temperature and the other at 100K. The two room-temperature data sets differ in the radiation damage suffered by the crystals before the data used for processing were collected. A comparison between the structures refined against the two data sets indicates the possibility of radiation-induced conformational change. The L-shaped molecule is composed of a long three-helix bundle domain (domain I) and a globular domain (domain II) connected by a linker region. The main difference between the room-temperature structure and the low temperature structure is in the rotation of domain II about an axis close to its libration axis. This observation and a detailed comparative study of ribosome recycling factors (RRFs) of known structures led to an elaboration of the present understanding of the structural variability of RRF. The variability involves a change in the angle between the two arms of the molecule, a rotation of domain II in a plane nearly perpendicular to the axis of the helix bundle and an internal rotation of domain II. Furthermore, the domains and the linker could be delineated into fixed and variable regions in a physically meaningful manner. The relative mobility of the domains of the molecule in the crystal structure appears to be similar to that in the ribosome--RRF complex. That permits a meaningful discussion of the structural features of RRF in terms of ribosome--RRF interactions. The structure also provides insights into the results of inter-species complementation studies.

Survey of the year 2003 commercial optical biosensor literature

In the year 2003 there was a 17% increase in the number of publications citing work performed using optical biosensor technology compared with the previous year. We collated the 962 total papers for 2003, identified the geographical regions where the work was performed, highlighted the instrument types on which it was carried out, and segregated the papers by biological system. In this overview, we spotlight 13 papers that should be on everyone's 'must read' list for 2003 and provide examples of how to identify and interpret high-quality biosensor data. Although we still find that the literature is replete with poorly performed experiments, over-interpreted results and a general lack of understanding of data analysis, we are optimistic that these shortcomings will be addressed as biosensor technology continues to mature.

X-ray crystallography study on ribosome recycling: the mechanism of binding and action of RRF on the 50S ribosomal subunit

This study presents the crystal structure of domain I of the Escherichia coli ribosome recycling factor (RRF) bound to the Deinococcus radiodurans 50S subunit. The orientation of RRF is consistent with the position determined on a 70S-RRF complex by cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM). Alignment, however, requires a rotation of 7 degrees and a shift of the cryo-EM RRF by a complete turn of an alpha-helix, redefining the contacts established with ribosomal components. At 3.3 A resolution, RRF is seen to interact exclusively with ribosomal elements associated with tRNA binding and/or translocation. Furthermore, these results now provide a high-resolution structural description of the conformational changes that were suspected to occur on the 70S-RRF complex, which has implications for the synergistic action of RRF with elongation factor G (EF-G). Specifically, the tip of the universal bridge element H69 is shifted by 20 A toward h44 of the 30S subunit, suggesting that RRF primes the intersubunit bridge B2a for the action of EF-G. Collectively, our data enable a model to be proposed for the dual action of EF-G and RRF during ribosome recycling.

NMR Structure of the α-Hemoglobin Stabilizing Protein

The structure of alpha-hemoglobin stabilizing protein (AHSP), a molecular chaperone for free alpha-hemoglobin, has been determined using NMR spectroscopy. The protein native state shows conformational heterogeneity attributable to the isomerization of the peptide bond preceding a conserved proline residue. The two equally populated cis and trans forms both adopt an elongated antiparallel three alpha-helix bundle fold but display major differences in the loop between the first two helices and at the C terminus of helix 3. Proline to alanine single point mutation of the residue Pro-30 prevents the cis/trans isomerization. The structure of the P30A mutant is similar to the structure of the trans form of AHSP in the loop 1 region. Both the wild-type AHSP and the P30A mutant bind to alpha-hemoglobin, and the wild-type conformational heterogeneity is quenched upon complex formation, suggesting that just one conformation is the active form. Changes in chemical shift observed upon complex formation identify a binding interface comprising the C terminus of helix 1, the loop 1, and the N terminus of helix 2, with the exposed residues Phe-47 and Tyr-51 being attractive targets for molecular recognition. The characteristics of this interface suggest that AHSP binds at the intradimer alpha1beta1 interface in tetrameric HbA.

Visualization of ribosome-recycling factor on the Escherichia coli 70S ribosome: functional implications

After the termination step of protein synthesis, a deacylated tRNA and mRNA remain associated with the ribosome. The ribosome-recycling factor (RRF), together with elongation factor G (EF-G), disassembles this posttermination complex into mRNA, tRNA, and the ribosome. We have obtained a three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopic map of a complex of the Escherichia coli 70S ribosome and RRF. We find that RRF interacts mainly with the segments of the large ribosomal subunit's (50S) rRNA helices that are involved in the formation of two central intersubunit bridges, B2a and B3. The binding of RRF induces considerable conformational changes in some of the functional domains of the ribosome. As compared to its binding position derived previously by hydroxyl radical probing study, we find that RRF binds further inside the intersubunit space of the ribosome such that the tip of its domain I is shifted (by approximately 13 A) toward protein L5 within the central protuberance of the 50S subunit, and domain II is oriented more toward the small ribosomal subunit (30S). Overlapping binding sites of RRF, EF-G, and the P-site tRNA suggest that the binding of EF-G would trigger the removal of deacylated tRNA from the P site by moving RRF toward the ribosomal E site, and subsequent removal of mRNA may be induced by a shift in the position of 16S rRNA helix 44, which harbors part of the mRNA.

Temperature-sensitive mutation in yeast mitochondrial ribosome recycling factor (RRF)

The yeast protein Rrf1p encoded by the FIL1 nuclear gene bears significant sequence similarity to Escherichia coli ribosome recycling factor (RRF). Here, we call FIL1 Ribosome Recycling Factor of yeast, RRF1. Its gene product, Rrf1p, was localized in mitochondria. Deletion of RRF1 leads to a respiratory incompetent phenotype and to instability of the mitochondrial genome (conversion to rho(-)/rho(0) cytoplasmic petites). Yeast with intact mitochondria and with deleted genomic RRF1 that harbors a plasmid carrying RRF1 was prepared from spores of heterozygous diploid yeast. Such yeast with a mutated allele of RRF1, rrf1-L209P, grew on a non-fermentable carbon source at 30 but not at 36 degrees C, where mitochondrial but not total protein synthesis was 90% inhibited. We propose that Rrf1p is essential for mitochondrial protein synthesis and acts as a RRF in mitochondria.