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Giegé R, Eriani G. The tRNA identity landscape for aminoacylation and beyond. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1528-1570. [PMID: 36744444 PMCID: PMC9976931 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
tRNAs are key partners in ribosome-dependent protein synthesis. This process is highly dependent on the fidelity of tRNA aminoacylation by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and relies primarily on sets of identities within tRNA molecules composed of determinants and antideterminants preventing mischarging by non-cognate synthetases. Such identity sets were discovered in the tRNAs of a few model organisms, and their properties were generalized as universal identity rules. Since then, the panel of identity elements governing the accuracy of tRNA aminoacylation has expanded considerably, but the increasing number of reported functional idiosyncrasies has led to some confusion. In parallel, the description of other processes involving tRNAs, often well beyond aminoacylation, has progressed considerably, greatly expanding their interactome and uncovering multiple novel identities on the same tRNA molecule. This review highlights key findings on the mechanistics and evolution of tRNA and tRNA-like identities. In addition, new methods and their results for searching sets of multiple identities on a single tRNA are discussed. Taken together, this knowledge shows that a comprehensive understanding of the functional role of individual and collective nucleotide identity sets in tRNA molecules is needed for medical, biotechnological and other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Giegé
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Richard Giegé.
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2
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Zivkovic I, Ivkovic K, Cvetesic N, Marsavelski A, Gruic-Sovulj I. Negative catalysis by the editing domain of class I aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4029-4041. [PMID: 35357484 PMCID: PMC9023258 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARS) translate the genetic code by loading tRNAs with the cognate amino acids. The errors in amino acid recognition are cleared at the AARS editing domain through hydrolysis of misaminoacyl-tRNAs. This ensures faithful protein synthesis and cellular fitness. Using Escherichia coli isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS) as a model enzyme, we demonstrated that the class I editing domain clears the non-cognate amino acids well-discriminated at the synthetic site with the same rates as the weakly-discriminated fidelity threats. This unveiled low selectivity suggests that evolutionary pressure to optimize the rates against the amino acids that jeopardize translational fidelity did not shape the editing site. Instead, we propose that editing was shaped to safeguard cognate aminoacyl-tRNAs against hydrolysis. Misediting is prevented by the residues that promote negative catalysis through destabilisation of the transition state comprising cognate amino acid. Such powerful design allows broad substrate acceptance of the editing domain along with its exquisite specificity in the cognate aminoacyl-tRNA rejection. Editing proceeds by direct substrate delivery to the editing domain (in cis pathway). However, we found that class I IleRS also releases misaminoacyl-tRNAIle and edits it in trans. This minor editing pathway was up to now recognized only for class II AARSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Zivkovic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
| | - Kate Ivkovic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
| | - Nevena Cvetesic
- Institute for Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London and MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Aleksandra Marsavelski
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
| | - Ita Gruic-Sovulj
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
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Jani J, Pappachan A. A review on quality control agents of protein translation - The role of Trans-editing proteins. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 199:252-263. [PMID: 34995670 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.12.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Translation of RNA to protein is a key feature of cellular life. The fidelity of this process mainly depends on the availability of correctly charged tRNAs. Different domains of tRNA synthetase (aaRS) maintain translation quality by ensuring the proper attachment of particular amino acid with respective tRNA, thus it establishes the rule of genetic code. However occasional errors by aaRS generate mischarged tRNAs, which can become lethal to the cells. Accurate protein synthesis necessitates hydrolysis of mischarged tRNAs. Various cis and trans-editing proteins are identified which recognize these mischarged products and correct them by hydrolysis. Trans-editing proteins are homologs of cis-editing domains of aaRS. The trans-editing proteins work in close association with aaRS, Ef-Tu, and ribosome to prevent global mistranslation and ensures correct charging of tRNA. In this review, we discuss the major trans-editing proteins and compared them with their cis-editing counterparts. We also discuss their structural features, biochemical activity and role in maintaining cellular protein homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaykumar Jani
- School of Life Sciences, Central University of Gujarat, Sector 30, Gandhinagar 382030, Gujarat, India
| | - Anju Pappachan
- School of Life Sciences, Central University of Gujarat, Sector 30, Gandhinagar 382030, Gujarat, India.
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Kuzmishin Nagy AB, Bakhtina M, Musier-Forsyth K. Trans-editing by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-like editing domains. Enzymes 2020; 48:69-115. [PMID: 33837712 DOI: 10.1016/bs.enz.2020.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) are ubiquitous enzymes responsible for aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) synthesis. Correctly formed aa-tRNAs are necessary for proper decoding of mRNA and accurate protein synthesis. tRNAs possess specific nucleobases that promote selective recognition by cognate aaRSs. Selecting the cognate amino acid can be more challenging because all amino acids share the same peptide backbone and several are isosteric or have similar side chains. Thus, aaRSs can misactivate non-cognate amino acids and produce mischarged aa-tRNAs. If left uncorrected, mischarged aa-tRNAs deliver their non-cognate amino acid to the ribosome resulting in misincorporation into the nascent polypeptide chain. This changes the primary protein sequence and potentially causes misfolding or formation of non-functional proteins that impair cell survival. A variety of proofreading or editing pathways exist to prevent and correct mistakes in aa-tRNA formation. Editing may occur before the amino acid transfer step of aminoacylation via hydrolysis of the aminoacyl-adenylate. Alternatively, post-transfer editing, which occurs after the mischarged aa-tRNA is formed, may be carried out via a distinct editing site on the aaRS where the mischarged aa-tRNA is deacylated. In recent years, it has become clear that most organisms also encode factors that lack aminoacylation activity but resemble aaRS editing domains and function to clear mischarged aa-tRNAs in trans. This review focuses on these trans-editing factors, which are encoded in all three domains of life and function together with editing domains present within aaRSs to ensure that the accuracy of protein synthesis is sufficient for cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra B Kuzmishin Nagy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Marina Bakhtina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Karin Musier-Forsyth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.
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Vargas-Rodriguez O, Sevostyanova A, Söll D, Crnković A. Upgrading aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases for genetic code expansion. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2018; 46:115-122. [PMID: 30059834 PMCID: PMC6214156 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Synthesis of proteins with non-canonical amino acids via genetic code expansion is at the forefront of synthetic biology. Progress in this field has enabled site-specific incorporation of over 200 chemically and structurally diverse amino acids into proteins in an increasing number of organisms. This has been facilitated by our ability to repurpose aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases to attach non-canonical amino acids to engineered tRNAs. Current efforts in the field focus on overcoming existing limitations to the simultaneous incorporation of multiple non-canonical amino acids or amino acids that differ from the l-α-amino acid structure (e.g. d-amino acid or β-amino acid). Here, we summarize the progress and challenges in developing more selective and efficient aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases for genetic code expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Vargas-Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Anastasia Sevostyanova
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Dieter Söll
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Ana Crnković
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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Kuncha SK, Suma K, Pawar KI, Gogoi J, Routh SB, Pottabathini S, Kruparani SP, Sankaranarayanan R. A discriminator code-based DTD surveillance ensures faithful glycine delivery for protein biosynthesis in bacteria. eLife 2018; 7:38232. [PMID: 30091703 PMCID: PMC6097841 DOI: 10.7554/elife.38232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
D-aminoacyl-tRNA deacylase (DTD) acts on achiral glycine, in addition to D-amino acids, attached to tRNA. We have recently shown that this activity enables DTD to clear non-cognate Gly-tRNAAla with 1000-fold higher efficiency than its activity on Gly-tRNAGly, indicating tRNA-based modulation of DTD (Pawar et al., 2017). Here, we show that tRNA's discriminator base predominantly accounts for this activity difference and is the key to selection by DTD. Accordingly, the uracil discriminator base, serving as a negative determinant, prevents Gly-tRNAGly misediting by DTD and this protection is augmented by EF-Tu. Intriguingly, eukaryotic DTD has inverted discriminator base specificity and uses only G3•U70 for tRNAGly/Ala discrimination. Moreover, DTD prevents alanine-to-glycine misincorporation in proteins rather than only recycling mischarged tRNAAla. Overall, the study reveals the unique co-evolution of DTD and discriminator base, and suggests DTD's strong selection pressure on bacterial tRNAGlys to retain a pyrimidine discriminator code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar Kuncha
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-CCMB Campus, Hyderabad, India
| | - Katta Suma
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Jotin Gogoi
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick O’Donoghue
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jiqiang Ling
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dieter Söll
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Fluorothreonyl-tRNA deacylase prevents mistranslation in the organofluorine producer Streptomyces cattleya. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:11920-11925. [PMID: 29078362 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1711482114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluorine is an element with unusual properties that has found significant utility in the design of synthetic small molecules, ranging from therapeutics to materials. In contrast, only a few fluorinated compounds made by living organisms have been found to date, most of which derive from the fluoroacetate/fluorothreonine biosynthetic pathway first discovered in Streptomyces cattleya While fluoroacetate has long been known to act as an inhibitor of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the fate of the amino acid fluorothreonine is still not well understood. Here, we show that fluorothreonine can be misincorporated into protein in place of the proteinogenic amino acid threonine. We have identified two conserved proteins from the organofluorine biosynthetic locus, FthB and FthC, that are involved in managing fluorothreonine toxicity. Using a combination of biochemical, genetic, physiological, and proteomic studies, we show that FthB is a trans-acting transfer RNA (tRNA) editing protein, which hydrolyzes fluorothreonyl-tRNA 670-fold more efficiently than threonyl-RNA, and assign a role to FthC in fluorothreonine transport. While trans-acting tRNA editing proteins have been found to counteract the misacylation of tRNA with commonly occurring near-cognate amino acids, their role has yet to be described in the context of secondary metabolism. In this regard, the recruitment of tRNA editing proteins to biosynthetic clusters may have enabled the evolution of pathways to produce specialized amino acids, thereby increasing the diversity of natural product structure while also attenuating the risk of mistranslation that would ensue.
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