Specificity of the ribosomal A site for aminoacyl-tRNAs

Repurposing tRNA isodecoders for non-canonical functions via tRNA cleavage

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are the key adaptor molecules aiding protein synthesis. Hundreds of tRNA genes are found in the human genome but the biological significance of this genetic excess is still enigmatic. The tRNA repertoires are variable between tissues and cells as well as during development. Such variations can only be partially explained by the correlation to the physiological needs in protein production, e.g. by changes in the expression of tRNA isoacceptor sets (tRNAs charged with the same amino acid but bearing different anticodons). However, changes in the expression levels of individual isodecoders (tRNAs with the same anticodon) are less understood. Besides canonical functions in mRNA translation, tRNAs are implicated in non-canonical functions unrelated to protein synthesis. tRNAs are rich source of small non-protein coding RNAs called tRNA-derived RNAs (tDRs), which include tRNA-derived stress-induced RNAs (tiRNAs) formed in response to stress. Here, we show that tiRNAs derived from isodecoders different in a single nucleotide can also differ in their activities. Specifically, we show that isodecoder sets for tRNA His-GTG , tRNA Gly-GCC and tRNA Cys-GCA are cleaved by ribonucleases to yield 5'-tiRNAs showing differential activity towards mRNA reporter translation. Our data propose a model where cleavage repurposes specific tRNA isodecoders for non-canonical functions.

Significance Statement

The human genome encodes hundreds of transfer RNA (tRNA) genes to decode 61 codons. The basis for such genetic redundancy is unclear but the increase in the number of tRNA genes goes in concert with the complexity of an organism. While changes in the expression of isoacceptor tRNA pools can reflect adaptation to demanding protein synthesis needs and/or codon usage, the variations in the expression of the individual tRNA isodecoders are documented but poorly understood. Such expression variations are hypothesized to contribute to non-canonical tRNA functions, yet physiological relevance remains ambiguous. We report here that specific tRNA isodecoders can be functionally repurposed through cleavage that produces tRNA-derived RNAs (tDRs). The repurposing employs nucleotide variations in isodecoders leading to the production of distinct sets of tDRs with variable bioactivities.

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 uses a specific tRNAPro isodecoder to prime reverse transcription

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the only oncogenic human retrovirus discovered to date. All retroviruses are believed to use a host cell tRNA to prime reverse transcription (RT). In HTLV-1, the primer-binding site (PBS) in the genomic RNA is complementary to the 3' 18 nucleotides (nt) of human tRNAPro The human genome encodes 20 cytoplasmic tRNAPro genes representing seven isodecoders, all of which share the same 3' 18 nt sequence but vary elsewhere. Whether all tRNAPro isodecoders are used to prime RT in cells is unknown. A previous study showed that a 3' 18 nt tRNAPro-derived fragment (tRFPro) is packaged into HTLV-1 particles and can serve as an RT primer in vitro. The role of this tRNA fragment in the viral life cycle is unclear. In retroviruses, N1-methylation of the tRNA primer at position A58 (m1A) is essential for successful plus-strand transfer. Using primer-extension assays performed in chronically HTLV-1-infected cells, we found that A58 of tRNAPro is m1A-modified, implying that full-length tRNAPro is capable of facilitating successful plus-strand transfer. Analysis of HTLV-1 RT primer extension products indicated that full-length tRNAPro is likely to be the primer. To determine which tRNAPro isodecoder is used as the RT primer, we sequenced the minus-strand strong-stop RT product containing the intact tRNA primer and established that HTLV-1 primes RT using a specific tRNAPro UGG isodecoder. Further studies are required to understand how this primer is annealed to the highly structured HTLV-1 PBS and to investigate the role of tRFPro in the viral life cycle.

Mistranslating tRNA variants have anticodon- and sex-specific impacts on Drosophila melanogaster

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are vital in determining the specificity of translation. Mutations in tRNA genes can result in the misincorporation of amino acids into nascent polypeptides in a process known as mistranslation. Since mistranslation has different impacts, depending on the type of amino acid substitution, our goal here was to compare the impact of different mistranslating tRNASer variants on fly development, lifespan, and behaviour. We established two mistranslating fly lines, one with a tRNASer variant that misincorporates serine at valine codons (V→S) and the other that misincorporates serine at threonine codons (T→S). While both mistranslating tRNAs increased development time and developmental lethality, the severity of the impacts differed depending on amino acid substitution and sex. The V→S variant extended embryonic, larval, and pupal development whereas the T→S only extended larval and pupal development. Females, but not males, containing either mistranslating tRNA presented with significantly more anatomical deformities than controls. Mistranslating females also experienced extended lifespan whereas mistranslating male lifespan was unaffected. In addition, mistranslating flies from both sexes showed improved locomotion as they aged, suggesting delayed neurodegeneration. Therefore, although mistranslation causes detrimental effects, we demonstrate that mistranslation also has positive effects on complex traits such as lifespan and locomotion. This has important implications for human health given the prevalence of tRNA variants in humans.

Aminoglycoside uptake, stress, and potentiation in Gram-negative bacteria: new therapies with old molecules

SUMMARYAminoglycosides (AGs) are long-known molecules successfully used against Gram-negative pathogens. While their use declined with the discovery of new antibiotics, they are now classified as critically important molecules because of their effectiveness against multidrug-resistant bacteria. While they can efficiently cross the Gram-negative envelope, the mechanism of AG entry is still incompletely understood, although this comprehension is essential for the development of new therapies in the face of the alarming increase in antibiotic resistance. Increasing antibiotic uptake in bacteria is one strategy to enhance effective treatments. This review aims, first, to consolidate old and recent knowledge about AG uptake; second, to explore the connection between AG-dependent bacterial stress and drug uptake; and finally, to present new strategies of potentiation of AG uptake for more efficient antibiotic therapies. In particular, we emphasize on the connection between sugar transport and AG potentiation.

Copy number variation in tRNA isodecoder genes impairs mammalian development and balanced translation

The number of tRNA isodecoders has increased dramatically in mammals, but the specific molecular and physiological reasons for this expansion remain elusive. To address this fundamental question we used CRISPR editing to knockout the seven-membered phenylalanine tRNA gene family in mice, both individually and combinatorially. Using ATAC-Seq, RNA-seq, ribo-profiling and proteomics we observed distinct molecular consequences of single tRNA deletions. We show that tRNA-Phe-1-1 is required for neuronal function and its loss is partially compensated by increased expression of other tRNAs but results in mistranslation. In contrast, the other tRNA-Phe isodecoder genes buffer the loss of each of the remaining six tRNA-Phe genes. In the tRNA-Phe gene family, the expression of at least six tRNA-Phe alleles is required for embryonic viability and tRNA-Phe-1-1 is most important for development and survival. Our results reveal that the multi-copy configuration of tRNA genes is required to buffer translation and viability in mammals.

A new step in kinetic proofreading due to misacylated-tRNA during ribosomal peptide bond formation

The translational accuracy in protein synthesis is contributed to by several mechanisms in the ribosome, generally called kinetic proofreading. This process in the ribosome inhibits the non-cognate codon-anticodon interaction. However, it is not sufficient for fidelity of protein synthesis since a wrong amino acid can easily be added to the growing polypeptide chain if a tRNA while cognate to the mRNA, carries a non-cognate amino acid. Therefore, additional to the kinetic proofreading, there must be some hitherto unknown characteristic in misacylated-tRNAs to stop the process of protein synthesis if such misacylated-tRNA is accommodated in the ribosomal A-site. In order to understand this characteristic, we have performed computational quantum chemistry analysis on five different tRNA molecules, each one attached to five different amino acids with one being cognate to the tRNA and the other four non-cognate. This study shows the importance of aminoacyl-tRNA binding energy in ensuring fidelity of protein synthesis.

Translational fidelity and mistranslation in the cellular response to stress

Faithful translation of mRNA into the corresponding polypeptide is a complex multistep process, requiring accurate amino acid selection, transfer RNA (tRNA) charging and mRNA decoding on the ribosome. Key players in this process are aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), which not only catalyse the attachment of cognate amino acids to their respective tRNAs, but also selectively hydrolyse incorrectly activated non-cognate amino acids and/or misaminoacylated tRNAs. This aaRS proofreading provides quality control checkpoints that exclude non-cognate amino acids during translation, and in so doing helps to prevent the formation of an aberrant proteome. However, despite the intrinsic need for high accuracy during translation, and the widespread evolutionary conservation of aaRS proofreading pathways, requirements for translation quality control vary depending on cellular physiology and changes in growth conditions, and translation errors are not always detrimental. Recent work has demonstrated that mistranslation can also be beneficial to cells, and some organisms have selected for a higher degree of mistranslation than others. The aims of this Review Article are to summarize the known mechanisms of protein translational fidelity and explore the diversity and impact of mistranslation events as a potentially beneficial response to environmental and cellular stress.

Genetic Code Optimization for Cotranslational Protein Folding: Codon Directional Asymmetry Correlates with Antiparallel Betasheets, tRNA Synthetase Classes

A new codon property, codon directional asymmetry in nucleotide content (CDA), reveals a biologically meaningful genetic code dimension: palindromic codons (first and last nucleotides identical, codon structure XZX) are symmetric (CDA = 0), codons with structures ZXX/XXZ are 5'/3' asymmetric (CDA = - 1/1; CDA = - 0.5/0.5 if Z and X are both purines or both pyrimidines, assigning negative/positive (-/+) signs is an arbitrary convention). Negative/positive CDAs associate with (a) Fujimoto's tetrahedral codon stereo-table; (b) tRNA synthetase class I/II (aminoacylate the 2'/3' hydroxyl group of the tRNA's last ribose, respectively); and (c) high/low antiparallel (not parallel) betasheet conformation parameters. Preliminary results suggest CDA-whole organism associations (body temperature, developmental stability, lifespan). Presumably, CDA impacts spatial kinetics of codon-anticodon interactions, affecting cotranslational protein folding. Some synonymous codons have opposite CDA sign (alanine, leucine, serine, and valine), putatively explaining how synonymous mutations sometimes affect protein function. Correlations between CDA and tRNA synthetase classes are weaker than between CDA and antiparallel betasheet conformation parameters. This effect is stronger for mitochondrial genetic codes, and potentially drives mitochondrial codon-amino acid reassignments. CDA reveals information ruling nucleotide-protein relations embedded in reversed (not reverse-complement) sequences (5'-ZXX-3'/5'-XXZ-3').

Determination of relative rate constants for in vitro RNA processing reactions by internal competition

Studies of RNA recognition and catalysis typically involve measurement of rate constants for reactions of individual RNA sequence variants by fitting changes in substrate or product concentration to exponential or linear functions. A complementary approach is determination of relative rate constants by internal competition, which involves quantifying the time-dependent changes in substrate or product ratios in reactions containing multiple substrates. Here, we review approaches for determining relative rate constants by analysis of both substrate and product ratios and illustrate their application using the in vitro processing of precursor transfer RNA (tRNA) by ribonuclease P as a model system. The presence of inactive substrate populations is a common complicating factor in analysis of reactions involving RNA substrates, and approaches for quantitative correction of observed rate constants for these effects are illustrated. These results, together with recent applications in the literature, indicate that internal competition offers an alternate method for analyzing RNA processing kinetics using standard molecular biology methods that directly quantifies substrate specificity and may be extended to a range of applications.

Distinct stages of the translation elongation cycle revealed by sequencing ribosome-protected mRNA fragments

During translation elongation, the ribosome ratchets along its mRNA template, incorporating each new amino acid and translocating from one codon to the next. The elongation cycle requires dramatic structural rearrangements of the ribosome. We show here that deep sequencing of ribosome-protected mRNA fragments reveals not only the position of each ribosome but also, unexpectedly, its particular stage of the elongation cycle. Sequencing reveals two distinct populations of ribosome footprints, 28–30 nucleotides and 20–22 nucleotides long, representing translating ribosomes in distinct states, differentially stabilized by specific elongation inhibitors. We find that the balance of small and large footprints varies by codon and is correlated with translation speed. The ability to visualize conformational changes in the ribosome during elongation, at single-codon resolution, provides a new way to study the detailed kinetics of translation and a new probe with which to identify the factors that affect each step in the elongation cycle.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01257.001

To make a protein from a gene, the gene is first transcribed to produce a molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA), which then passes through a molecular machine called a ribosome. The ribosome reads the genetic code in the mRNA in groups of three letters at a time, and each triplet of letters (or codon) represents an amino acid. The ribosome then joins the relevant amino acids together to build a protein.

The ribosome processes about six amino acids per second, on average, but the mRNA is not fed through at a constant rate. Instead, the ribosome changes its shape to ratchet along the mRNA from one codon to the next: it then reads the new codon and adds another amino acid to the protein. However, many of the details of this ratcheting process are not fully understood.

In this study, Lareau, Hite et al. have used a technique called ‘ribosome profiling’ to explore the movement of ribosomes along mRNA molecules. First, all of the pieces of mRNA molecules that are not protected inside a ribosome were chemically destroyed. The sequences of the protected fragments were then read and matched to the full-length gene sequences. The protected fragments came in two different sizes: some were about 28–30 letters long, and others were about 20–22 letters long. Lareau, Hite et al. suggest that these different fragment sizes occur because the ribosome switches between two shapes at each codon as it ratchets along the mRNA, and so it protects different lengths of mRNA.

In previous ribosome-profiling experiments, the fragments had all been about 28 letters long; but these experiments had used a chemical to halt the progress of the ribosomes along the mRNAs before measuring the length of the fragments. Lareau, Hite et al. argue that this chemical locks the ribosome in the same shape when it brings the ribosome to a halt, and so the protected fragments always have the same length. Further, other chemicals that halt ribosomes appear to lock this molecular machine in the other shape, and so it can only protect the shorter fragments.

The findings of Lareau, Hite et al. show that ribosomal profiling experiments can reveal much more than simply where a ribosome is on an mRNA molecule. Further study into the different stages of the ribosome ratcheting process will help uncover how the speed that a ribosome translates an mRNA into a protein can be encoded in the mRNA sequence itself.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01257.002

Evolution of the genetic code by incorporation of amino acids that improved or changed protein function

Fifty years have passed since the genetic code was deciphered, but how the genetic code came into being has not been satisfactorily addressed. It is now widely accepted that the earliest genetic code did not encode all 20 amino acids found in the universal genetic code as some amino acids have complex biosynthetic pathways and likely were not available from the environment. Therefore, the genetic code evolved as pathways for synthesis of new amino acids became available. One hypothesis proposes that early in the evolution of the genetic code four amino acids-valine, alanine, aspartic acid, and glycine-were coded by GNC codons (N = any base) with the remaining codons being nonsense codons. The other sixteen amino acids were subsequently added to the genetic code by changing nonsense codons into sense codons for these amino acids. Improvement in protein function is presumed to be the driving force behind the evolution of the code, but how improved function was achieved by adding amino acids has not been examined. Based on an analysis of amino acid function in proteins, an evolutionary mechanism for expansion of the genetic code is described in which individual coded amino acids were replaced by new amino acids that used nonsense codons differing by one base change from the sense codons previously used. The improved or altered protein function afforded by the changes in amino acid function provided the selective advantage underlying the expansion of the genetic code. Analysis of amino acid properties and functions explains why amino acids are found in their respective positions in the genetic code.

Steric complementarity in the decoding center is important for tRNA selection by the ribosome

Accurate tRNA selection by the ribosome is essential for the synthesis of functional proteins. Previous structural studies indicated that the ribosome distinguishes between cognate and near-cognate tRNAs by monitoring the geometry of the codon-anticodon helix in the decoding center using the universally conserved 16S ribosomal RNA bases G530, A1492 and A1493. These bases form hydrogen bonds with the 2'-hydroxyl groups of the codon-anticodon helix, which are expected to be disrupted with a near-cognate codon-anticodon helix. However, a recent structural study showed that G530, A1492 and A1493 form hydrogen bonds in a manner identical with that of both cognate and near-cognate codon-anticodon helices. To understand how the ribosome discriminates between cognate and near-cognate tRNAs, we made 2'-deoxynucleotide and 2'-fluoro substituted mRNAs, which disrupt the hydrogen bonds between the A site codon and G530, A1492 and A1493. Our results show that multiple 2'-deoxynucleotide substitutions in the mRNA substantially inhibit tRNA selection, whereas multiple 2'-fluoro substitutions in the mRNA have only modest effects on tRNA selection. Furthermore, the miscoding antibiotics paromomycin and streptomycin rescue the defects in tRNA selection with the multiple 2'-deoxynucleotide substituted mRNA. These results suggest that steric complementarity in the decoding center is more important than the hydrogen bonds between the A site codon and G530, A1492 and A1493 for tRNA selection.

(R)-β-lysine-modified elongation factor P functions in translation elongation

Post-translational modification of bacterial elongation factor P (EF-P) with (R)-β-lysine at a conserved lysine residue activates the protein in vivo and increases puromycin reactivity of the ribosome in vitro. The additional hydroxylation of EF-P at the same lysine residue by the YfcM protein has also recently been described. The roles of modified and unmodified EF-P during different steps in translation, and how this correlates to its physiological role in the cell, have recently been linked to the synthesis of polyproline stretches in proteins. Polysome analysis indicated that EF-P functions in translation elongation, rather than initiation as proposed previously. This was further supported by the inability of EF-P to enhance the rate of formation of fMet-Lys or fMet-Phe, indicating that the role of EF-P is not to specifically stimulate formation of the first peptide bond. Investigation of hydroxyl-(β)-lysyl-EF-P showed 30% increased puromycin reactivity but no differences in dipeptide synthesis rates when compared with the β-lysylated form. Unlike disruption of the other genes required for EF-P modification, deletion of yfcM had no phenotypic consequences in Salmonella. Taken together, our findings indicate that EF-P functions in translation elongation, a role critically dependent on post-translational β-lysylation but not hydroxylation.

ONIOM and ab-initio calculations on the mechanism of uncatalyzed peptide bond formation

Finding a proper transition structure for the peptide bond formation process can lead one to a better understanding of the role of ribosome in catalyzing this reaction. Using computer simulations, we performed the potential energy surface scan on the ester bond dissociation of P-site aminoacyl-tRNA and the peptide bond formation of P-site and A-site amino acids. The full fragments of initiator tRNA(i)(met) and elongator tRNA(phe) are attached to both cognate and non-cognate amino acids as the P-site substrate. The A-site amino acid for all four calculations is methionine. We used ONIOM calculations to reduce the computational cost. Our study illustrates the reduced rate of peptide bond formation for misacylated tRNA(i)(met) in the absence of ribosomal bases. The misacylated elongator tRNA(phe), however, did not show any difference in its PES compared with that for the phe-tRNA(phe). This demonstrates the structural specification of initiator tRNA(i)(met) for the amino acids side chain.

The role of initiator tRNAimet in fidelity of initiation of protein synthesis

The proper arrangement of amino acids in a protein determines its proper function, which is vital for the cellular metabolism. This indicates that the process of peptide bond formation requires high fidelity. One of the most important processes for this fidelity is kinetic proofreading. As biochemical experiments suggest that kinetic proofreading plays a major role in ensuring the fidelity of protein synthesis, it is not certain whether or not a misacylated tRNA would be corrected by kinetic proofreading during the peptide bond formation. Using 2-layered ONIOM (QM/MM) computational calculations, we studied the behavior of misacylated tRNAs and compared the results with these for cognate aminoacyl-tRNAs during the process of peptide bond formation to investigate the effect of nonnative amino acids on tRNAs. The difference between the behavior of initiator tRNA(i) (met) compared to the one for the elongator tRNAs indicates that only the initiator tRNA(i) (met) specifies the amino acid side chain.

Interaction strengths between the ribosome and tRNA at various steps of translocation

Transfer RNA (tRNA) translocates inside the ribosome during translation. We studied the interaction strengths between the ribosome and tRNA at various stages of translocation. We utilized an optical trap to measure the mechanical force to rupture tRNA from the ribosome. We measured the rupture forces of aminoacyl tRNA or peptidyl tRNA mimic from the ribosome in a prepeptidyl transfer state, the pretranslocational state, and the posttranslocational state. In addition, we measured the interaction strength between the ribosome and aminoacyl-tRNA in presence of viomycin. Based on the interaction strengths between the ribosome and tRNA under these conditions, 1), we concluded that tRNA interaction with the 30S subunit is far more important than the interaction with the 50S subunit in the mechanism of translocation; and 2), we propose a mechanism of translocation where the ribosomal ratchet motion, with the aid of EF-G, drives tRNA translocation.

Dependence of RelA-mediated (p)ppGpp formation on tRNA identity

The bacterial stringent response is a cellular response to amino acid limitations and is characterized by the accumulation of the alarmone polyphosphate guanosine ((p)ppGpp). A key molecular event leading to (p)ppGpp synthesis is the binding of a deacylated tRNA to the vacant A-Site of a ribosome. The resulting ribosomal complex is recognized by and activates RelA, the (p)ppGpp synthetase. Activated RelA catalyzes (p)ppGpp formation until the deacylated tRNA passively dissociates from the ribosomal A-Site. In this report, we have investigated a novel role for the identity of A-Site bound tRNA in RelA-mediated (p)ppGpp synthesis. A comparison in the stimulation of RelA activity was made using ribosome complexes with either a tightly or weakly binding deacylated tRNA occupying the A-Site. In vitro analysis reveals that ribosome complexes formed with tight binding tRNA(Val) stimulate RelA activity at lower concentrations than that required for ribosome complexes formed with the weaker binding tRNA(Phe). The data suggest that the recovery from the stringent response may be dependent on the identity of the amino acid that was initially limiting for the bacteria.

Silent mutations in sight: co-variations in tRNA abundance as a key to unravel consequences of silent mutations

Mutations that alter the amino acid sequence are known to potentially exert deleterious effects on protein function, whereas substitutions of nucleotides without amino acid change are assumed to be neutral for the protein's functionality. However, cumulative evidence suggests that synonymous substitutions might also induce phenotypic variability by affecting splicing accuracy, translation fidelity, and conformation and function of proteins. tRNA isoacceptors mediate the translation of codons to amino acids, and asymmetric tRNA abundance causes variations in the rate of translation of each single triplet. Consequently, the effect of a silent point mutation in the coding region could be significant due to differential abundances of the cognate tRNA(s), emphasizing the importance of precise assessment of tRNA composition. Here, we provide an overview of the methods used to quantitatively determine the concentrations of tRNA species and discuss synonymous mutations in the context of tRNA composition of the cell, thus providing a new twist on the detrimental impact of the silent mutations.

Accommodation of aminoacyl-tRNA into the ribosome involves reversible excursions along multiple pathways

The ribosome is a massive ribonucleoprotein complex ( approximately 2.4 MDa) that utilizes large-scale structural fluctuations to produce unidirectional protein synthesis. Accommodation is a key conformational change during transfer RNA (tRNA) selection that allows movement of tRNA into the ribosome. Here, we address the structure-function relationship that governs accommodation using all-atom molecular simulations and single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET). Simulations that employ an all-atom, structure-based (Gō-like) model illuminate the interplay between configurational entropy and effective enthalpy during the accommodation process. This delicate balance leads to spontaneous reversible accommodation attempts, which are corroborated by smFRET measurements. The dynamics about the endpoints of accommodation (the A/T and A/A conformations) obtained from structure-based simulations are validated by multiple 100-200 ns explicit-solvent simulations (3.2 million atoms for a cumulative 1.4 micros), and previous crystallographic analysis. We find that the configurational entropy of the 3'-CCA end of aminoacyl-tRNA resists accommodation, leading to a multistep accommodation process that encompasses a distribution of parallel pathways. The calculated mechanism is robust across simulation methods and protocols, suggesting that the structure of the accommodation corridor imposes stringent limitations on the accessible pathways. The identified mechanism and observed parallel pathways establish an atomistic framework for interpreting a large body of biochemical data and demonstrate that conformational changes during translation occur through a stochastic trial-and-error process, rather than in concerted lock-step motions.

Functional analysis of human tRNA isodecoders

tRNA isodecoders share the same anticodon but have differences in their body sequence. An unexpected result from genome sequencing projects is the identification of a large number of tRNA isodecoder genes in mammalian genomes. In the reference human genome, more than 270 isodecoder genes are present among the approximately 450 tRNA genes distributed among 49 isoacceptor families. Whether sequence diversity among isodecoder tRNA genes reflects functional variability is an open question. To address this, we developed a method to quantify the efficiency of tRNA isodecoders in stop-codon suppression in human cell lines. First, a green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene that contains a single UAG stop codon at two distinct locations is introduced. GFP is only produced when a tRNA suppressor containing CUA anticodon is co-transfected with the GFP gene. The suppression efficiency is examined for 31 tRNA isodecoders (all contain CUA anticodon), 21 derived from four isoacceptor families of tRNASer genes, 7 from five families of tRNALeu genes, and 3 from three families of tRNAAla genes. We found that isodecoder tRNAs display a large difference in their suppression efficiency. Among those with above background suppression activity, differences of up to 20-fold were observed. We were able to tune tRNA suppression efficiency by subtly adjusting the tRNA sequence and inter-convert poor suppressors into potent ones. We also demonstrate that isodecoder tRNAs with varying suppression efficiencies have similar stability and exhibit similar levels of aminoacylation in vivo. Our results indicate that naturally occurring tRNA isodecoders can have large functional variations and suggest that some tRNA isodecoders may perform a function distinct from translation.

Natural amino acids do not require their native tRNAs for efficient selection by the ribosome

The involvement of tRNA structural elements beyond the anticodon in aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) selection by the ribosome has revealed that substrate recognition is considerably more complex than originally envisioned in the adaptor hypothesis. By combining recent breakthroughs in aa-tRNA synthesis and mechanistic and structural studies of protein synthesis, we ask if aa-tRNA recognition further extends to the amino acid, thereby explaining various translation disorders exhibited by misacylated tRNAs. Contrary to expectation, we find that natural amino acids misacylated onto natural, but non-native tRNAs are selected with efficiencies very similar to those of their correctly-acylated counterparts. Despite this, small, but reproducible differences in selection indeed demonstrate that the translational machinery is sensitive to the amino acid/tRNA pairing. These results suggest that either the ribosome is an exquisite sensor of natural versus unnatural amino acid/tRNA pairings and/or that aa-tRNA selection is not the primary step governing the amino acid specificity of the ribosome.

Contribution of ribosomal residues to P-site tRNA binding

Structural studies have revealed multiple contacts between the ribosomal P site and tRNA, but how these contacts contribute to P-tRNA binding remains unclear. In this study, the effects of ribosomal mutations on the dissociation rate (k(off)) of various tRNAs from the P site were measured. Mutation of the 30S P site destabilized tRNAs to various degrees, depending on the mutation and the species of tRNA. These data support the idea that ribosome-tRNA interactions are idiosyncratically tuned to ensure stable binding of all tRNA species. Unlike deacylated elongator tRNAs, N-acetyl-aminoacyl-tRNAs and tRNA(fMet) dissociated from the P site at a similar low rate, even in the presence of various P-site mutations. These data provide evidence for a stability threshold for P-tRNA binding and suggest that ribosome-tRNA(fMet) interactions are uniquely tuned for tight binding. The effects of 16S rRNA mutation G1338U were suppressed by 50S E-site mutation C2394A, suggesting that G1338 is particularly important for stabilizing tRNA in the P/E site. Finally, mutation C2394A or the presence of an N-acetyl-aminoacyl group slowed the association rate (k(on)) of tRNA dramatically, suggesting that deacylated tRNA binds the P site of the ribosome via the E site.