1
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Alejo JL, Girodat D, Hammerling MJ, Willi JA, Jewett MC, Engelhart AE, Adamala KP. Alternate conformational trajectories in ribosome translocation. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1012319. [PMID: 39141679 PMCID: PMC11346969 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Translocation in protein synthesis entails the efficient and accurate movement of the mRNA-[tRNA]2 substrate through the ribosome after peptide bond formation. An essential conformational change during this process is the swiveling of the small subunit head domain about two rRNA 'hinge' elements. Using iterative selection and molecular dynamics simulations, we derive alternate hinge elements capable of translocation in vitro and in vivo and describe their effects on the conformational trajectory of the EF-G-bound, translocating ribosome. In these alternate conformational pathways, we observe a diversity of swivel kinetics, hinge motions, three-dimensional head domain trajectories and tRNA dynamics. By finding alternate conformational pathways of translocation, we identify motions and intermediates that are essential or malleable in this process. These findings highlight the plasticity of protein synthesis and provide a more thorough understanding of the available sequence and conformational landscape of a central biological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L. Alejo
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Dylan Girodat
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Hammerling
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Jessica A. Willi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Michael C. Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Aaron E. Engelhart
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Katarzyna P. Adamala
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
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2
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Skeparnias I, Bou-Nader C, Anastasakis DG, Fan L, Wang YX, Hafner M, Zhang J. Structural basis of MALAT1 RNA maturation and mascRNA biogenesis. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024:10.1038/s41594-024-01340-4. [PMID: 38956168 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01340-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) has key roles in regulating transcription, splicing, tumorigenesis, etc. Its maturation and stabilization require precise processing by RNase P, which simultaneously initiates the biogenesis of a 3' cytoplasmic MALAT1-associated small cytoplasmic RNA (mascRNA). mascRNA was proposed to fold into a transfer RNA (tRNA)-like secondary structure but lacks eight conserved linking residues required by the canonical tRNA fold. Here we report crystal structures of human mascRNA before and after processing, which reveal an ultracompact, quasi-tRNA-like structure. Despite lacking all linker residues, mascRNA faithfully recreates the characteristic 'elbow' feature of tRNAs to recruit RNase P and ElaC homolog protein 2 (ELAC2) for processing, which exhibit distinct substrate specificities. Rotation and repositioning of the D-stem and anticodon regions preclude mascRNA from aminoacylation, avoiding interference with translation. Therefore, a class of metazoan lncRNA loci uses a previously unrecognized, unusually streamlined quasi-tRNA architecture to recruit select tRNA-processing enzymes while excluding others to drive bespoke RNA biogenesis, processing and maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Skeparnias
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Charles Bou-Nader
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dimitrios G Anastasakis
- RNA Molecular Biology Laboratory, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lixin Fan
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Core Facility of National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Yun-Xing Wang
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Core Facility of National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
- Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Markus Hafner
- RNA Molecular Biology Laboratory, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jinwei Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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3
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Cruz-Navarrete FA, Griffin WC, Chan YC, Martin MI, Alejo JL, Brady RA, Natchiar SK, Knudson IJ, Altman RB, Schepartz A, Miller SJ, Blanchard SC. β-Amino Acids Reduce Ternary Complex Stability and Alter the Translation Elongation Mechanism. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2024; 10:1262-1275. [PMID: 38947208 PMCID: PMC11212133 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.4c00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Templated synthesis of proteins containing non-natural amino acids (nnAAs) promises to expand the chemical space available to biological therapeutics and materials, but existing technologies are still limiting. Addressing these limitations requires a deeper understanding of the mechanism of protein synthesis and how it is perturbed by nnAAs. Here we examine the impact of nnAAs on the formation and ribosome utilization of the central elongation substrate: the ternary complex of native, aminoacylated tRNA, thermally unstable elongation factor, and GTP. By performing ensemble and single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer measurements, we reveal that both the (R)- and (S)-β2 isomers of phenylalanine (Phe) disrupt ternary complex formation to levels below in vitro detection limits, while (R)- and (S)-β3-Phe reduce ternary complex stability by 1 order of magnitude. Consistent with these findings, (R)- and (S)-β2-Phe-charged tRNAs were not utilized by the ribosome, while (R)- and (S)-β3-Phe stereoisomers were utilized inefficiently. (R)-β3-Phe but not (S)-β3-Phe also exhibited order of magnitude defects in the rate of translocation after mRNA decoding. We conclude from these findings that non-natural amino acids can negatively impact the translation mechanism on multiple fronts and that the bottlenecks for improvement must include the consideration of the efficiency and stability of ternary complex formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Aaron Cruz-Navarrete
- Department
of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
- Department
of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Wezley C. Griffin
- Department
of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
- Department
of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Yuk-Cheung Chan
- Department
of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Maxwell I. Martin
- Department
of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
- Department
of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Jose L. Alejo
- Department
of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
- Department
of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Ryan A. Brady
- Department
of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
- Department
of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - S. Kundhavai Natchiar
- Department
of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
- Department
of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Isaac J. Knudson
- College
of Chemistry, University of California,
Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Roger B. Altman
- Department
of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
- Department
of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Alanna Schepartz
- College
of Chemistry, University of California,
Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Molecular
and Cell Biology, University of California,
Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- California
Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Chan
Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
- Innovation
Investigator, ARC Institute, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
| | - Scott J. Miller
- Department
of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Scott C. Blanchard
- Department
of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
- Department
of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
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4
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Katoh T, Suga H. Fine-tuning the tRNA anticodon arm for multiple/consecutive incorporations of β-amino acids and analogs. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:6586-6595. [PMID: 38572748 PMCID: PMC11194099 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribosomal incorporation of β-amino acids into nascent peptides is much less efficient than that of the canonical α-amino acids. To overcome this, we have engineered a tRNA chimera bearing T-stem of tRNAGlu and D-arm of tRNAPro1, referred to as tRNAPro1E2, which efficiently recruits EF-Tu and EF-P. Using tRNAPro1E2 indeed improved β-amino acid incorporation. However, multiple/consecutive incorporations of β-amino acids are still detrimentally poor. Here, we attempted fine-tuning of the anticodon arm of tRNAPro1E2 aiming at further enhancement of β-amino acid incorporation. By screening various mutations introduced into tRNAPro1E2, C31G39/C28G42 mutation showed an approximately 3-fold enhancement of two consecutive incorporation of β-homophenylglycine (βPhg) at CCG codons. The use of this tRNA made it possible for the first time to elongate up to ten consecutive βPhg's. Since the enhancement effect of anticodon arm mutations differs depending on the codon used for β-amino acid incorporation, we optimized anticodon arm sequences for five codons (CCG, CAU, CAG, ACU and UGG). Combination of the five optimal tRNAs for these codons made it possible to introduce five different kinds of β-amino acids and analogs simultaneously into model peptides, including a macrocyclic scaffold. This strategy would enable ribosomal synthesis of libraries of macrocyclic peptides containing multiple β-amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Katoh
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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5
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Wu Y, Ni MT, Wang YH, Wang C, Hou H, Zhang X, Zhou J. Structural basis of translation inhibition by a valine tRNA-derived fragment. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302488. [PMID: 38599770 PMCID: PMC11009984 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Translational regulation by non-coding RNAs is a mechanism commonly used by cells to fine-tune gene expression. A fragment derived from an archaeal valine tRNA (Val-tRF) has been previously identified to bind the small subunit of the ribosome and inhibit translation in Haloferax volcanii Here, we present three cryo-electron microscopy structures of Val-tRF bound to the small subunit of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius ribosomes at resolutions between 4.02 and 4.53 Å. Within these complexes, Val-tRF was observed to bind to conserved RNA-interacting sites, including the ribosomal decoding center. The binding of Val-tRF destabilizes helices h24, h44, and h45 and the anti-Shine-Dalgarno sequence of 16S rRNA. The binding position of this molecule partially overlaps with the translation initiation factor aIF1A and occludes the mRNA P-site codon. Moreover, we found that the binding of Val-tRF is associated with steric hindrance of the H69 base of 23S rRNA in the large ribosome subunit, thereby preventing 70S assembly. Our data exemplify how tRNA-derived fragments bind to ribosomes and provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying translation inhibition by Val-tRFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wu
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meng-Ting Ni
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Hui Wang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Center for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital and Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hai Hou
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an Shaanxi, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Center for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital and Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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6
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Williamson MP. Autocatalytic Selection as a Driver for the Origin of Life. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:590. [PMID: 38792611 PMCID: PMC11122578 DOI: 10.3390/life14050590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was revolutionary because it provided a mechanism by which variation could be selected. This mechanism can only operate on living systems and thus cannot be applied to the origin of life. Here, we propose a viable alternative mechanism for prebiotic systems: autocatalytic selection, in which molecules catalyze reactions and processes that lead to increases in their concentration. Crucially, this provides a driver for increases in concentrations of molecules to a level that permits prebiotic metabolism. We show how this can produce high levels of amino acids, sugar phosphates, nucleotides and lipids and then lead on to polymers. Our outline is supported by a set of guidelines to support the identification of the most likely prebiotic routes. Most of the steps in this pathway are already supported by experimental results. These proposals generate a coherent and viable set of pathways that run from established Hadean geochemistry to the beginning of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike P Williamson
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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7
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Fang N, Wu L, Duan S, Li J. The Structural and Molecular Mechanisms of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Translational Elongation Factor Proteins. Molecules 2024; 29:2058. [PMID: 38731549 PMCID: PMC11085428 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeting translation factor proteins holds promise for developing innovative anti-tuberculosis drugs. During protein translation, many factors cause ribosomes to stall at messenger RNA (mRNA). To maintain protein homeostasis, bacteria have evolved various ribosome rescue mechanisms, including the predominant trans-translation process, to release stalled ribosomes and remove aberrant mRNAs. The rescue systems require the participation of translation elongation factor proteins (EFs) and are essential for bacterial physiology and reproduction. However, they disappear during eukaryotic evolution, which makes the essential proteins and translation elongation factors promising antimicrobial drug targets. Here, we review the structural and molecular mechanisms of the translation elongation factors EF-Tu, EF-Ts, and EF-G, which play essential roles in the normal translation and ribosome rescue mechanisms of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). We also briefly describe the structure-based, computer-assisted study of anti-tuberculosis drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; (N.F.); (L.W.)
| | - Lingyun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; (N.F.); (L.W.)
| | - Shuyan Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; (N.F.); (L.W.)
- College of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang 277160, China
| | - Jixi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; (N.F.); (L.W.)
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8
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Seely SM, Basu RS, Gagnon MG. Mechanistic insights into the alternative ribosome recycling by HflXr. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:4053-4066. [PMID: 38407413 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
During stress conditions such as heat shock and antibiotic exposure, ribosomes stall on messenger RNAs, leading to inhibition of protein synthesis. To remobilize ribosomes, bacteria use rescue factors such as HflXr, a homolog of the conserved housekeeping GTPase HflX that catalyzes the dissociation of translationally inactive ribosomes into individual subunits. Here we use time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy to elucidate the mechanism of ribosome recycling by Listeria monocytogenes HflXr. Within the 70S ribosome, HflXr displaces helix H69 of the 50S subunit and induces long-range movements of the platform domain of the 30S subunit, disrupting inter-subunit bridges B2b, B2c, B4, B7a and B7b. Our findings unveil a unique ribosome recycling strategy by HflXr which is distinct from that mediated by RRF and EF-G. The resemblance between HflXr and housekeeping HflX suggests that the alternative ribosome recycling mechanism reported here is universal in the prokaryotic kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah M Seely
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ritwika S Basu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Matthieu G Gagnon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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9
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Niemyska W, Mukherjee S, Gren BA, Niewieczerzal S, Bujnicki JM, Sulkowska JI. Discovery of a trefoil knot in the RydC RNA: Challenging previous notions of RNA topology. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168455. [PMID: 38272438 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168455] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Knots are very common in polymers, including DNA and protein molecules. Yet, no genuine knot has been identified in natural RNA molecules to date. Upon re-examining experimentally determined RNA 3D structures, we discovered a trefoil knot 31, the most basic non-trivial knot, in the RydC RNA. This knotted RNA is a member of a small family of short bacterial RNAs, whose secondary structure is characterized by an H-type pseudoknot. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest a folding pathway of the RydC RNA that starts with a native twisted loop. Based on sequence analyses and computational RNA 3D structure predictions, we postulate that this trefoil knot is a conserved feature of all RydC-related RNAs. The first discovery of a knot in a natural RNA molecule introduces a novel perspective on RNA 3D structure formation and on fundamental research on the relationship between function and spatial structure of biopolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanda Niemyska
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Mechanics, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Sunandan Mukherjee
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Protein Engineering, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz A Gren
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Szymon Niewieczerzal
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz M Bujnicki
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Protein Engineering, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Trojdena 4, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Joanna I Sulkowska
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland.
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10
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Byju S, Hassan A, Whitford PC. The energy landscape of the ribosome. Biopolymers 2024; 115:e23570. [PMID: 38051695 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
The ribosome is a prototypical assembly that can be used to establish general principles and techniques for the study of biological molecular machines. Motivated by the fact that the dynamics of every biomolecule is governed by an underlying energy landscape, there has been great interest to understand and quantify ribosome energetics. In the present review, we will focus on theoretical and computational strategies for probing the interactions that shape the energy landscape of the ribosome, with an emphasis on more recent studies of the elongation cycle. These efforts include the application of quantum mechanical methods for describing chemical kinetics, as well as classical descriptions to characterize slower (microsecond to millisecond) large-scale (10-100 Å) rearrangements, where motion is described in terms of diffusion across an energy landscape. Together, these studies provide broad insights into the factors that control a diverse range of dynamical processes in this assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Byju
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Asem Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States
| | - Paul C Whitford
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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11
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Cruz-Navarrete FA, Griffin WC, Chan YC, Martin MI, Alejo JL, Natchiar SK, Knudson IJ, Altman RB, Schepartz A, Miller SJ, Blanchard SC. β-amino acids reduce ternary complex stability and alter the translation elongation mechanism. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.24.581891. [PMID: 38464221 PMCID: PMC10925103 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.24.581891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Templated synthesis of proteins containing non-natural amino acids (nnAAs) promises to vastly expand the chemical space available to biological therapeutics and materials. Existing technologies limit the identity and number of nnAAs than can be incorporated into a given protein. Addressing these bottlenecks requires deeper understanding of the mechanism of messenger RNA (mRNA) templated protein synthesis and how this mechanism is perturbed by nnAAs. Here we examine the impact of both monomer backbone and side chain on formation and ribosome-utilization of the central protein synthesis substate: the ternary complex of native, aminoacylated transfer RNA (aa-tRNA), thermally unstable elongation factor (EF-Tu), and GTP. By performing ensemble and single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements, we reveal the dramatic effect of monomer backbone on ternary complex formation and protein synthesis. Both the (R) and (S)-β2 isomers of Phe disrupt ternary complex formation to levels below in vitro detection limits, while (R)- and (S)-β3-Phe reduce ternary complex stability by approximately one order of magnitude. Consistent with these findings, (R)- and (S)-β2-Phe-charged tRNAs were not utilized by the ribosome, while (R)- and (S)-β3-Phe stereoisomers were utilized inefficiently. The reduced affinities of both species for EF-Tu ostensibly bypassed the proofreading stage of mRNA decoding. (R)-β3-Phe but not (S)-β3-Phe also exhibited order of magnitude defects in the rate of substrate translocation after mRNA decoding, in line with defects in peptide bond formation that have been observed for D-α-Phe. We conclude from these findings that non-natural amino acids can negatively impact the translation mechanism on multiple fronts and that the bottlenecks for improvement must include consideration of the efficiency and stability of ternary complex formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Aaron Cruz-Navarrete
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Wezley C. Griffin
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Yuk-Cheung Chan
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Maxwell I. Martin
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jose L. Alejo
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - S. Kundhavai Natchiar
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Isaac J. Knudson
- College of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Roger B. Altman
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Alanna Schepartz
- College of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
- Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Innovation Investigator, ARC Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Scott J. Miller
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Scott C. Blanchard
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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12
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Flügel T, Schacherl M, Unbehaun A, Schroeer B, Dabrowski M, Bürger J, Mielke T, Sprink T, Diebolder CA, Guillén Schlippe YV, Spahn CMT. Transient disome complex formation in native polysomes during ongoing protein synthesis captured by cryo-EM. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1756. [PMID: 38409277 PMCID: PMC10897467 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46092-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Structural studies of translating ribosomes traditionally rely on in vitro assembly and stalling of ribosomes in defined states. To comprehensively visualize bacterial translation, we reactivated ex vivo-derived E. coli polysomes in the PURE in vitro translation system and analyzed the actively elongating polysomes by cryo-EM. We find that 31% of 70S ribosomes assemble into disome complexes that represent eight distinct functional states including decoding and termination intermediates, and a pre-nucleophilic attack state. The functional diversity of disome complexes together with RNase digest experiments suggests that paused disome complexes transiently form during ongoing elongation. Structural analysis revealed five disome interfaces between leading and queueing ribosomes that undergo rearrangements as the leading ribosome traverses through the elongation cycle. Our findings reveal at the molecular level how bL9's CTD obstructs the factor binding site of queueing ribosomes to thwart harmful collisions and illustrate how translation dynamics reshape inter-ribosomal contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Flügel
- Charité - Univesitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Magdalena Schacherl
- Charité - Univesitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anett Unbehaun
- Charité - Univesitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Birgit Schroeer
- Charité - Univesitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marylena Dabrowski
- Charité - Univesitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Bürger
- Charité - Univesitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Berlin, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Microscopy and Cryo-Electron Microscopy Service Group, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thorsten Mielke
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Microscopy and Cryo-Electron Microscopy Service Group, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thiemo Sprink
- Core Facility for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Technology Platform Cryo-EM, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph A Diebolder
- Core Facility for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Technology Platform Cryo-EM, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yollete V Guillén Schlippe
- Charité - Univesitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christian M T Spahn
- Charité - Univesitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Berlin, Germany.
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13
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Bhattacharjee S, Feng X, Maji S, Dadhwal P, Zhang Z, Brown ZP, Frank J. Time resolution in cryo-EM using a PDMS-based microfluidic chip assembly and its application to the study of HflX-mediated ribosome recycling. Cell 2024; 187:782-796.e23. [PMID: 38244547 PMCID: PMC10872292 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The rapid kinetics of biological processes and associated short-lived conformational changes pose a significant challenge in attempts to structurally visualize biomolecules during a reaction in real time. Conventionally, on-pathway intermediates have been trapped using chemical modifications or reduced temperature, giving limited insights. Here, we introduce a time-resolved cryo-EM method using a reusable PDMS-based microfluidic chip assembly with high reactant mixing efficiency. Coating of PDMS walls with SiO2 virtually eliminates non-specific sample adsorption and ensures maintenance of the stoichiometry of the reaction, rendering it highly reproducible. In an operating range from 10 to 1,000 ms, the device allows us to follow in vitro reactions of biological molecules at resolution levels in the range of 3 Å. By employing this method, we show the mechanism of progressive HflX-mediated splitting of the 70S E. coli ribosome in the presence of the GTP via capture of three high-resolution reaction intermediates within 140 ms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Bhattacharjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Xiangsong Feng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Suvrajit Maji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Prikshat Dadhwal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Zhening Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Zuben P Brown
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Joachim Frank
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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14
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Zhang J. Recognition of the tRNA structure: Everything everywhere but not all at once. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:36-52. [PMID: 38159570 PMCID: PMC10843564 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
tRNAs are among the most abundant and essential biomolecules in cells. These spontaneously folding, extensively structured yet conformationally flexible anionic polymers literally bridge the worlds of RNAs and proteins, and serve as Rosetta stones that decipher and interpret the genetic code. Their ubiquitous presence, functional irreplaceability, and privileged access to cellular compartments and ribosomes render them prime targets for both endogenous regulation and exogenous manipulation. There is essentially no part of the tRNA that is not touched by another interaction partner, either as programmed or imposed by an external adversary. Recent progresses in genetic, biochemical, and structural analyses of the tRNA interactome produced a wealth of new knowledge into their interaction networks, regulatory functions, and molecular interfaces. In this review, I describe and illustrate the general principles of tRNA recognition by proteins and other RNAs, and discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms that deliver affinity, specificity, and functional competency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwei Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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15
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Chadani Y, Kanamori T, Niwa T, Ichihara K, Nakayama KI, Matsumoto A, Taguchi H. Mechanistic dissection of premature translation termination induced by acidic residues-enriched nascent peptide. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113569. [PMID: 38071619 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113569] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Ribosomes polymerize nascent peptides through repeated inter-subunit rearrangements between the classic and hybrid states. The peptidyl-tRNA, the intermediate species during translation elongation, stabilizes the translating ribosome to ensure robust continuity of elongation. However, the translation of acidic residue-rich sequences destabilizes the ribosome, leading to a stochastic premature translation cessation termed intrinsic ribosome destabilization (IRD), which is still ill-defined. Here, we dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying IRD in Escherichia coli. Reconstitution of the IRD event reveals that (1) the prolonged ribosome stalling enhances IRD-mediated translation discontinuation, (2) IRD depends on temperature, (3) the destabilized 70S ribosome complex is not necessarily split, and (4) the destabilized ribosome is subjected to peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase-mediated hydrolysis of the peptidyl-tRNA without subunit splitting or recycling factors-mediated subunit splitting. Collectively, our data indicate that the translation of acidic-rich sequences alters the conformation of the 70S ribosome to an aberrant state that allows the noncanonical premature termination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhei Chadani
- Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan.
| | | | - Tatsuya Niwa
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan; School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Kazuya Ichihara
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
| | - Keiichi I Nakayama
- Anticancer Strategies Laboratory, TMDU Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan; Division of Cell Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Akinobu Matsumoto
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
| | - Hideki Taguchi
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan; School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.
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16
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Richardson JS, Williams CJ, Chen VB, Prisant MG, Richardson DC. The bad and the good of trends in model building and refinement for sparse-data regions: pernicious forms of overfitting versus good new tools and predictions. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2023; 79:1071-1078. [PMID: 37921807 PMCID: PMC10833350 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798323008847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Model building and refinement, and the validation of their correctness, are very effective and reliable at local resolutions better than about 2.5 Å for both crystallography and cryo-EM. However, at local resolutions worse than 2.5 Å both the procedures and their validation break down and do not ensure reliably correct models. This is because in the broad density at lower resolution, critical features such as protein backbone carbonyl O atoms are not just less accurate but are not seen at all, and so peptide orientations are frequently wrongly fitted by 90-180°. This puts both backbone and side chains into the wrong local energy minimum, and they are then worsened rather than improved by further refinement into a valid but incorrect rotamer or Ramachandran region. On the positive side, new tools are being developed to locate this type of pernicious error in PDB depositions, such as CaBLAM, EMRinger, Pperp diagnosis of ribose puckers, and peptide flips in PDB-REDO, while interactive modeling in Coot or ISOLDE can help to fix many of them. Another positive trend is that artificial intelligence predictions such as those made by AlphaFold2 contribute additional evidence from large multiple sequence alignments, and in high-confidence parts they provide quite good starting models for loops, termini or whole domains with otherwise ambiguous density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane S. Richardson
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Vincent B. Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael G. Prisant
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - David C. Richardson
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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17
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Acosta-Reyes FJ, Bhattacharjee S, Gottesman M, Frank J. Structural insight into translation initiation of the λcl leaderless mRNA. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.02.556006. [PMID: 37693525 PMCID: PMC10491246 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.02.556006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
In bacteriophage λ lysogens, the λcI repressor is encoded by the leaderless transcript (lmRNA) initiated at the λpRM promoter. Translation is enhanced in rpsB mutants deficient in ribosomal protein uS2. Although translation initiation of lmRNA is conserved in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes, structural insight of a lmRNA translation initiation complex is missing. Here, we use cryo-EM to solve the structures of the uS2-deficient 70S ribosome of host E. coli mutant rpsB11 and the wild-type 70S complex with λcI lmRNA and fmet-tRNAfMet. Importantly, the uS2-deficient 70S ribosome also lacks protein bS21. The anti-Shine-Dalgarno (aSD) region is structurally supported by bS21, so that the absence of the latter causes the aSD to divert from the normal mRNA exit pathway, easing the exit of lmRNA. A π-stacking interaction between the monitor base A1493 and A(+4) of lmRNA potentially acts as a recognition signal. Coulomb charge flow, along with peristalsis-like dynamics within the mRNA entry channel due to the increased 30S head rotation caused by the absence of uS2, are likely to facilitate the propagation of lmRNA through the ribosome. These findings lay the groundwork for future research on the mechanism of translation and the co-evolution of lmRNA and mRNA that includes the emergence of a defined ribosome-binding site of the transcript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Acosta-Reyes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Sayan Bhattacharjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Max Gottesman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Joachim Frank
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
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18
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Huang T, Choi J, Prabhakar A, Puglisi JD, Petrov A. Partial spontaneous intersubunit rotations in pretranslocation ribosomes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2114979120. [PMID: 37801472 PMCID: PMC10576065 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114979120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The two main steps of translation, peptidyl transfer, and translocation are accompanied by counterclockwise and clockwise rotations of the large and small ribosomal subunits with respect to each other. Upon peptidyl transfer, the small ribosomal subunit rotates counterclockwise relative to the large subunit, placing the ribosome into the rotated conformation. Simultaneously, tRNAs move into the hybrid conformation, and the L1 stalk moves inward toward the P-site tRNA. The conformational dynamics of pretranslocation ribosomes were extensively studied by ensemble and single-molecule methods. Different experimental modalities tracking ribosomal subunits, tRNAs, and the L1 stalk showed that pretranslocation ribosomes undergo spontaneous conformational transitions. Thus, peptidyl transfer unlocks the ribosome and decreases an energy barrier for the reverse ribosome rotation during translocation. However, the tracking of translation with ribosomes labeled at rRNA helices h44 and H101 showed a lack of spontaneous rotations in pretranslocation complexes. Therefore, reverse intersubunit rotations occur during EF-G catalyzed translocation. To reconcile these views, we used high-speed single-molecule microscopy to follow translation in real time. We showed spontaneous rotations in puromycin-released h44-H101 dye-labeled ribosomes. During elongation, the h44-H101 ribosomes undergo partial spontaneous rotations. Spontaneous rotations in h44-H101-labeled ribosomes are restricted prior to aminoacyl-tRNA binding. The pretranslocation h44-H101 ribosomes spontaneously exchanged between three different rotational states. This demonstrates that peptidyl transfer unlocks spontaneous rotations and pretranslocation ribosomes can adopt several thermally accessible conformations, thus supporting the Brownian model of translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhan Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL36849
| | - Junhong Choi
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Arjun Prabhakar
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Joseph D. Puglisi
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Alexey Petrov
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL36849
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19
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Sun J, Kinman LF, Jahagirdar D, Ortega J, Davis JH. KsgA facilitates ribosomal small subunit maturation by proofreading a key structural lesion. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:1468-1480. [PMID: 37653244 PMCID: PMC10710901 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01078-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Ribosome assembly is orchestrated by many assembly factors, including ribosomal RNA methyltransferases, whose precise role is poorly understood. Here, we leverage the power of cryo-EM and machine learning to discover that the E. coli methyltransferase KsgA performs a 'proofreading' function in the assembly of the small ribosomal subunit by recognizing and partially disassembling particles that have matured but are not competent for translation. We propose that this activity allows inactive particles an opportunity to reassemble into an active state, thereby increasing overall assembly fidelity. Detailed structural quantifications in our datasets additionally enabled the expansion of the Nomura assembly map to highlight rRNA helix and r-protein interdependencies, detailing how the binding and docking of these elements are tightly coupled. These results have wide-ranging implications for our understanding of the quality-control mechanisms governing ribosome biogenesis and showcase the power of heterogeneity analysis in cryo-EM to unveil functionally relevant information in biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Sun
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Laurel F Kinman
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Dushyant Jahagirdar
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joaquin Ortega
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- Centre for Structural Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Joseph H Davis
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Computational and Systems Biology Graduate Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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20
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Wang YH, Dai H, Zhang L, Wu Y, Wang J, Wang C, Xu CH, Hou H, Yang B, Zhu Y, Zhang X, Zhou J. Cryo-electron microscopy structure and translocation mechanism of the crenarchaeal ribosome. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8909-8924. [PMID: 37604686 PMCID: PMC10516650 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Archaeal ribosomes have many domain-specific features; however, our understanding of these structures is limited. We present 10 cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the archaeal ribosome from crenarchaeota Sulfolobus acidocaldarius (Sac) at 2.7-5.7 Å resolution. We observed unstable conformations of H68 and h44 of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in the subunit structures, which may interfere with subunit association. These subunit structures provided models for 12 rRNA expansion segments and 3 novel r-proteins. Furthermore, the 50S-aRF1 complex structure showed the unique domain orientation of aRF1, possibly explaining P-site transfer RNA (tRNA) release after translation termination. Sac 70S complexes were captured in seven distinct steps of the tRNA translocation reaction, confirming conserved structural features during archaeal ribosome translocation. In aEF2-engaged 70S ribosome complexes, 3D classification of cryo-EM data based on 30S head domain identified two new translocation intermediates with 30S head domain tilted 5-6° enabling its disengagement from the translocated tRNA and its release post-translocation. Additionally, we observed conformational changes to aEF2 during ribosome binding and switching from three different states. Our structural and biochemical data provide new insights into archaeal translation and ribosome translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hui Wang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Hong Dai
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Yun Wu
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jingfen Wang
- Center for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, and Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Center for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, and Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Cai-Huang Xu
- Center for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, and Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Hai Hou
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Bing Yang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Yongqun Zhu
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Center for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, and Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
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21
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Rivas M, Fox GE. Ancestry of RNA/RNA interaction regions within segmented ribosomes. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:1388-1399. [PMID: 37263782 PMCID: PMC10573304 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079654.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The ribosome is the universally conserved ribozyme that translates DNA coded instructions into proteins with the assistance of other RNA molecules, including transfer and messenger RNAs. Of particular interest is the segmentation phenomena, which is found in trypanosomatids and other protists. In these organisms, the large subunit ribosomal RNA is assembled from multiple smaller RNAs. This phenomenon posits several challenges to the folding and stabilization of such ribosomes to retain functionality and efficiency. In earlier studies, RNA/protein interactions were suggested to fully compensate for the fragmentation. Recently, several conserved RNA/RNA interaction regions were described in the cryo-EM structures of segmented ribosomes from trypanosomatids. These regions also seemed to aid in the folding and stabilization of such ribosomes, even before the ribosomal proteins start their association. In the present study, the existence of conserved RNA/RNA interaction regions shared between trypanosomatid and Euglena gracilis segmented ribosomes was confirmed, despite differences in segmentation patterns. Analysis of the crystallographic structures of unsegmented ribosomes from other Eukaryotes, Bacteria, and Archaea allowed us to estimate the relative age of highly conserved RNA/RNA interaction regions. These results strongly suggest that common interaction regions likely date far back into the ribosomes of the last common ancestor. Results also revealed that single hydrogen bonds are overwhelmingly facilitated by the 2'OH, a distinctive RNA feature. This supports the notion that RNA predates DNA and places some constraints on alternative nucleic acids proposals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Rivas
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5001, USA
| | - George E Fox
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5001, USA
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22
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Zhang W, Ren D, Li Z, Yue L, Whitman WB, Dong X, Li J. Internal transcription termination widely regulates differential expression of operon-organized genes including ribosomal protein and RNA polymerase genes in an archaeon. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:7851-7867. [PMID: 37439380 PMCID: PMC10450193 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Genes organized within operons in prokaryotes benefit from coordinated expression. However, within many operons, genes are expressed at different levels, and the mechanisms for this remain obscure. By integrating PacBio-seq, dRNA-seq, Term-seq and Illumina-seq data of a representative archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis, internal transcription termination sites (ioTTSs) were identified within 38% of operons. Higher transcript and protein abundances were found for genes upstream than downstream of ioTTSs. For representative operons, these differences were confirmed by northern blotting, qRT-PCR and western blotting, demonstrating that these ioTTS terminations were functional. Of special interest, mutation of ioTTSs in ribosomal protein (RP)-RNA polymerase (RNAP) operons not only elevated expression of the downstream RNAP genes but also decreased production of the assembled RNAP complex, slowed whole cell transcription and translation, and inhibited growth. Overexpression of the RNAP subunits with a shuttle vector generated the similar physiological effects. Therefore, ioTTS termination is a general and physiologically significant regulatory mechanism of the operon gene expression. Because the RP-RNAP operons are found to be widely distributed in archaeal species, this regulatory mechanism could be commonly employed in archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Derong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | | | - Xiuzhu Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
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23
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Arar S, Haque MA, Kayed R. Protein aggregation and neurodegenerative disease: Structural outlook for the novel therapeutics. Proteins 2023:10.1002/prot.26561. [PMID: 37530227 PMCID: PMC10834863 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26561] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Before the controversial approval of humanized monoclonal antibody lecanemab, which binds to the soluble amyloid-β protofibrils, all the treatments available earlier, for Alzheimer's disease (AD) were symptomatic. The researchers are still struggling to find a breakthrough in AD therapeutic medicine, which is partially attributable to lack in understanding of the structural information associated with the intrinsically disordered proteins and amyloids. One of the major challenges in this area of research is to understand the structural diversity of intrinsically disordered proteins under in vitro conditions. Therefore, in this review, we have summarized the in vitro applications of biophysical methods, which are aimed to shed some light on the heterogeneity, pathogenicity, structures and mechanisms of the intrinsically disordered protein aggregates associated with proteinopathies including AD. This review will also rationalize some of the strategies in modulating disease-relevant pathogenic protein entities by small molecules using structural biology approaches and biophysical characterization. We have also highlighted tools and techniques to simulate the in vivo conditions for native and cytotoxic tau/amyloids assemblies, urge new chemical approaches to replicate tau/amyloids assemblies similar to those in vivo conditions, in addition to designing novel potential drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharif Arar
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555, USA
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Md Anzarul Haque
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555, USA
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24
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Bhattacharjee S, Feng X, Maji S, Dadhwal P, Zhang Z, Brown ZP, Frank J. Time resolution in cryo-EM using a novel PDMS-based microfluidic chip assembly and its application to the study of HflX-mediated ribosome recycling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.25.525430. [PMID: 36747778 PMCID: PMC9900803 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.25.525430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The rapid kinetics of biological processes and associated short-lived conformational changes pose a significant challenge in attempts to structurally visualize biomolecules during a reaction in real time. Conventionally, on-pathway intermediates have been trapped using chemical modifications or reduced temperature, giving limited insights. Here we introduce a novel time-resolved cryo-EM method using a reusable PDMS-based microfluidic chip assembly with high reactant mixing efficiency. Coating of PDMS walls with SiO2 virtually eliminates non-specific sample adsorption and ensures maintenance of the stoichiometry of the reaction, rendering it highly reproducible. In an operating range from 10 to 1000 ms, the device allows us to follow in vitro reactions of biological molecules at resolution levels in the range of 3 Å. By employing this method, we show for the first time the mechanism of progressive HlfX-mediated splitting of the 70S E. coli ribosome in the presence of the GTP, via capture of three high-resolution reaction intermediates within 140 ms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Bhattacharjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Xiangsong Feng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Suvrajit Maji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Prikshat Dadhwal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Zhening Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Zuben P Brown
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
- Current address: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Oregon, USA
| | - Joachim Frank
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
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25
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Poulis P, Peske F, Rodnina MV. The many faces of ribosome translocation along the mRNA: reading frame maintenance, ribosome frameshifting and translational bypassing. Biol Chem 2023; 404:755-767. [PMID: 37077160 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2023-0142] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
In each round of translation elongation, the ribosome translocates along the mRNA by precisely one codon. Translocation is promoted by elongation factor G (EF-G) in bacteria (eEF2 in eukaryotes) and entails a number of precisely-timed large-scale structural rearrangements. As a rule, the movements of the ribosome, tRNAs, mRNA and EF-G are orchestrated to maintain the exact codon-wise step size. However, signals in the mRNA, as well as environmental cues, can change the timing and dynamics of the key rearrangements leading to recoding of the mRNA into production of trans-frame peptides from the same mRNA. In this review, we discuss recent advances on the mechanics of translocation and reading frame maintenance. Furthermore, we describe the mechanisms and biological relevance of non-canonical translocation pathways, such as hungry and programmed frameshifting and translational bypassing, and their link to disease and infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Poulis
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frank Peske
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marina V Rodnina
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
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26
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Nagao A, Nakanishi Y, Yamaguchi Y, Mishina Y, Karoji M, Toya T, Fujita T, Iwasaki S, Miyauchi K, Sakaguchi Y, Suzuki T. Quality control of protein synthesis in the early elongation stage. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2704. [PMID: 37198183 PMCID: PMC10192219 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38077-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In the early stage of bacterial translation, peptidyl-tRNAs frequently dissociate from the ribosome (pep-tRNA drop-off) and are recycled by peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase. Here, we establish a highly sensitive method for profiling of pep-tRNAs using mass spectrometry, and successfully detect a large number of nascent peptides from pep-tRNAs accumulated in Escherichia coli pthts strain. Based on molecular mass analysis, we found about 20% of the peptides bear single amino-acid substitutions of the N-terminal sequences of E. coli ORFs. Detailed analysis of individual pep-tRNAs and reporter assay revealed that most of the substitutions take place at the C-terminal drop-off site and that the miscoded pep-tRNAs rarely participate in the next round of elongation but dissociate from the ribosome. These findings suggest that pep-tRNA drop-off is an active mechanism by which the ribosome rejects miscoded pep-tRNAs in the early elongation, thereby contributing to quality control of protein synthesis after peptide bond formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asuteka Nagao
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Yui Nakanishi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yutaro Yamaguchi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Mishina
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Minami Karoji
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takafumi Toya
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Tomoya Fujita
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Shintaro Iwasaki
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561, Japan
| | - Kenjyo Miyauchi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yuriko Sakaguchi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Suzuki
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
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27
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Holm M, Natchiar SK, Rundlet EJ, Myasnikov AG, Watson ZL, Altman RB, Wang HY, Taunton J, Blanchard SC. mRNA decoding in human is kinetically and structurally distinct from bacteria. Nature 2023; 617:200-207. [PMID: 37020024 PMCID: PMC10156603 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05908-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
In all species, ribosomes synthesize proteins by faithfully decoding messenger RNA (mRNA) nucleotide sequences using aminoacyl-tRNA substrates. Current knowledge of the decoding mechanism derives principally from studies on bacterial systems1. Although key features are conserved across evolution2, eukaryotes achieve higher-fidelity mRNA decoding than bacteria3. In human, changes in decoding fidelity are linked to ageing and disease and represent a potential point of therapeutic intervention in both viral and cancer treatment4-6. Here we combine single-molecule imaging and cryogenic electron microscopy methods to examine the molecular basis of human ribosome fidelity to reveal that the decoding mechanism is both kinetically and structurally distinct from that of bacteria. Although decoding is globally analogous in both species, the reaction coordinate of aminoacyl-tRNA movement is altered on the human ribosome and the process is an order of magnitude slower. These distinctions arise from eukaryote-specific structural elements in the human ribosome and in the elongation factor eukaryotic elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) that together coordinate faithful tRNA incorporation at each mRNA codon. The distinct nature and timing of conformational changes within the ribosome and eEF1A rationalize how increased decoding fidelity is achieved and potentially regulated in eukaryotic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikael Holm
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - S Kundhavai Natchiar
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Emily J Rundlet
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander G Myasnikov
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Dubochet Center for Imaging (DCI), EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zoe L Watson
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Roger B Altman
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hao-Yuan Wang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jack Taunton
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Scott C Blanchard
- Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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28
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Das A, Adiletta N, Ermolenko DN. Interplay between Inter-Subunit Rotation of the Ribosome and Binding of Translational GTPases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24086878. [PMID: 37108045 PMCID: PMC10138997 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086878] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Translational G proteins, whose release from the ribosome is triggered by GTP hydrolysis, regulate protein synthesis. Concomitantly with binding and dissociation of protein factors, translation is accompanied by forward and reverse rotation between ribosomal subunits. Using single-molecule measurements, we explore the ways in which the binding of translational GTPases affects inter-subunit rotation of the ribosome. We demonstrate that the highly conserved translation factor LepA, whose function remains debated, shifts the equilibrium toward the non-rotated conformation of the ribosome. By contrast, the catalyst of ribosome translocation, elongation factor G (EF-G), favors the rotated conformation of the ribosome. Nevertheless, the presence of P-site peptidyl-tRNA and antibiotics, which stabilize the non-rotated conformation of the ribosome, only moderately reduces EF-G binding. These results support the model suggesting that EF-G interacts with both the non-rotated and rotated conformations of the ribosome during mRNA translocation. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of LepA and EF-G action and underscore the role of ribosome structural dynamics in translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Das
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry & Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Nichole Adiletta
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry & Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Dmitri N Ermolenko
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry & Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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29
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Leiva LE, Zegarra V, Bange G, Ibba M. At the Crossroad of Nucleotide Dynamics and Protein Synthesis in Bacteria. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2023; 87:e0004422. [PMID: 36853029 PMCID: PMC10029340 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00044-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleotides are at the heart of the most essential biological processes in the cell, be it as key protagonists in the dogma of molecular biology or by regulating multiple metabolic pathways. The dynamic nature of nucleotides, the cross talk between them, and their constant feedback to and from the cell's metabolic state position them as a hallmark of adaption toward environmental and growth challenges. It has become increasingly clear how the activity of RNA polymerase, the synthesis and maintenance of tRNAs, mRNA translation at all stages, and the biogenesis and assembly of ribosomes are fine-tuned by the pools of intracellular nucleotides. With all aspects composing protein synthesis involved, the ribosome emerges as the molecular hub in which many of these nucleotides encounter each other and regulate the state of the cell. In this review, we aim to highlight intracellular nucleotides in bacteria as dynamic characters permanently cross talking with each other and ultimately regulating protein synthesis at various stages in which the ribosome is mainly the principal character.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Eugenio Leiva
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, California, USA
| | - Victor Zegarra
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Gert Bange
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Michael Ibba
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, California, USA
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30
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Rivas M, Fox GE. How to build a protoribosome: structural insights from the first protoribosome constructs that have proven to be catalytically active. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:263-272. [PMID: 36604112 PMCID: PMC9945445 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079417.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The modern ribosome catalyzes all coded protein synthesis in extant organisms. It is likely that its core structure is a direct descendant from the ribosome present in the last common ancestor (LCA). Hence, its earliest origins likely predate the LCA and therefore date further back in time. Of special interest is the pseudosymmetrical region (SymR) that lies deep within the large subunit (LSU) where the peptidyl transfer reaction takes place. It was previously proposed that two RNA oligomers, representing the P- and A-regions of extant ribosomes dimerized to create a pore-like structure, which hosted the necessary properties that facilitate peptide bond formation. However, recent experimental studies show that this may not be the case. Instead, several RNA constructs derived exclusively from the P-region were shown to form a homodimer capable of peptide bond synthesis. Of special interest will be the origin issues because the homodimer would have allowed a pre-LCA ribosome that was significantly smaller than previously proposed. For the A-region, the immediate issue will likely be its origin and whether it enhances ribosome performance. Here, we reanalyze the RNA/RNA interaction regions that most likely lead to SymR formation in light of these recent findings. Further, it has been suggested that the ability of these RNA constructs to dimerize and enhance peptide bond formation is sequence-dependent. We have analyzed the implications of sequence variations as parts of functional and nonfunctional constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Rivas
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5001, USA
| | - George E Fox
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5001, USA
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31
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Jiang Y, Neti SS, Sitarik I, Pradhan P, To P, Xia Y, Fried SD, Booker SJ, O'Brien EP. How synonymous mutations alter enzyme structure and function over long timescales. Nat Chem 2023; 15:308-318. [PMID: 36471044 PMCID: PMC11267483 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-022-01091-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The specific activity of enzymes can be altered over long timescales in cells by synonymous mutations that alter a messenger RNA molecule's sequence but not the encoded protein's primary structure. How this happens at the molecular level is unknown. Here, we use multiscale modelling of three Escherichia coli enzymes (type III chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, D-alanine-D-alanine ligase B and dihydrofolate reductase) to understand experimentally measured changes in specific activity due to synonymous mutations. The modelling involves coarse-grained simulations of protein synthesis and post-translational behaviour, all-atom simulations to test robustness and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations to characterize enzymatic function. We show that changes in codon translation rates induced by synonymous mutations cause shifts in co-translational and post-translational folding pathways that kinetically partition molecules into subpopulations that very slowly interconvert to the native, functional state. Structurally, these states resemble the native state, with localized misfolding near the active sites of the enzymes. These long-lived states exhibit reduced catalytic activity, as shown by their increased activation energies for the reactions they catalyse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Syam Sundar Neti
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Ian Sitarik
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Priya Pradhan
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Philip To
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yingzi Xia
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephen D Fried
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Thomas C. Jenkins Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Squire J Booker
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Edward P O'Brien
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
- Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
- Institute for Computational and Data Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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32
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Role of ribosome recycling factor in natural termination and translational coupling as a ribosome releasing factor. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282091. [PMID: 36827443 PMCID: PMC9955659 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of ribosome recycling factor (RRF) of E. coli was studied in vivo and in vitro. We used the translational coupling without the Shine-Dalgarno sequence of downstream ORF (d-ORF) as a model system of the RRF action in natural termination of protein synthesis. For the in vivo studies we used the translational coupling by the adjacent coat and lysis genes of RNA phage GA sharing the termination and initiation (UAAUG) and temperature sensitive RRF. The d-ORF translation was measured by the expression of the reporter lacZ gene connected to the 5'-terminal part of the lysis gene. The results showed that more ribosomes which finished upstream ORF (u-ORF) reading were used for downstream reading when RRF was inactivated. The in vitro translational coupling studies with 027mRNA having the junction sequence UAAUG with wild-type RRF were carried out with measuring amino acids incorporation. The results showed that ribosomes released by RRF read downstream from AUG of UAAUG. In the absence of RRF, ribosomes read downstream in frame with UAA. These in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that RRF releases ribosomes from mRNA at the termination codon of u-ORF. Furthermore, the non-dissociable ribosomes read downstream from AUG of UAAUG with RRF in vitro. This suggests that complete ribosomal splitting is not required for ribosome release by RRF in translational coupling. The data are consistent with the interpretation that RRF functions mostly as a ribosome releasing factor rather than ribosome splitting factor. Additionally, the in vivo studies showed that short (less than 5 codons) u-ORF inhibited d-ORF reading by ribosomes finishing u-ORF reading, suggesting that the termination process in short ORF is not similar to that in normal ORF. This means that all the preexisting studies on RRF with short mRNA may not represent what goes on in natural termination step.
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33
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Tesina P, Ebine S, Buschauer R, Thoms M, Matsuo Y, Inada T, Beckmann R. Molecular basis of eIF5A-dependent CAT tailing in eukaryotic ribosome-associated quality control. Mol Cell 2023; 83:607-621.e4. [PMID: 36804914 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Ribosome-associated quality control (RQC) is a conserved process degrading potentially toxic truncated nascent peptides whose malfunction underlies neurodegeneration and proteostasis decline in aging. During RQC, dissociation of stalled ribosomes is followed by elongation of the nascent peptide with alanine and threonine residues, driven by Rqc2 independently of mRNA, the small ribosomal subunit and guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-hydrolyzing factors. The resulting CAT tails (carboxy-terminal tails) and ubiquitination by Ltn1 mark nascent peptides for proteasomal degradation. Here we present ten cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures, revealing the mechanistic basis of individual steps of the CAT tailing cycle covering initiation, decoding, peptidyl transfer, and tRNA translocation. We discovered eIF5A as a crucial eukaryotic RQC factor enabling peptidyl transfer. Moreover, we observed dynamic behavior of RQC factors and tRNAs allowing for processivity of the CAT tailing cycle without additional energy input. Together, these results elucidate key differences as well as common principles between CAT tailing and canonical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Tesina
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, University of Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - Shuhei Ebine
- Division of RNA and gene regulation, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-Ku 108-8639, Japan
| | - Robert Buschauer
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, University of Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Thoms
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, University of Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Yoshitaka Matsuo
- Division of RNA and gene regulation, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-Ku 108-8639, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Inada
- Division of RNA and gene regulation, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-Ku 108-8639, Japan.
| | - Roland Beckmann
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, University of Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany.
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34
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Hassan A, Byju S, Freitas F, Roc C, Pender N, Nguyen K, Kimbrough E, Mattingly J, Gonzalez Jr. R, de Oliveira R, Dunham C, Whitford P. Ratchet, swivel, tilt and roll: a complete description of subunit rotation in the ribosome. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:919-934. [PMID: 36583339 PMCID: PMC9881166 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein synthesis by the ribosome requires large-scale rearrangements of the 'small' subunit (SSU; ∼1 MDa), including inter- and intra-subunit rotational motions. However, with nearly 2000 structures of ribosomes and ribosomal subunits now publicly available, it is exceedingly difficult to design experiments based on analysis of all known rotation states. To overcome this, we developed an approach where the orientation of each SSU head and body is described in terms of three angular coordinates (rotation, tilt and tilt direction) and a single translation. By considering the entire RCSB PDB database, we describe 1208 fully-assembled ribosome complexes and 334 isolated small subunits, which span >50 species. This reveals aspects of subunit rearrangements that are universal, and others that are organism/domain-specific. For example, we show that tilt-like rearrangements of the SSU body (i.e. 'rolling') are pervasive in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic (cytosolic and mitochondrial) ribosomes. As another example, domain orientations associated with frameshifting in bacteria are similar to those found in eukaryotic ribosomes. Together, this study establishes a common foundation with which structural, simulation, single-molecule and biochemical efforts can more precisely interrogate the dynamics of this prototypical molecular machine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Claude Roc
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Dana Research Center 111, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nisaa Pender
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Dana Research Center 111, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kien Nguyen
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Evelyn M Kimbrough
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University, Rollins Research Center 4027, 1510 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA,Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Dr, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jacob M Mattingly
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University, Rollins Research Center 4027, 1510 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Ronaldo Junio de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biofísica Teórica, Departamento de Física, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Naturais e Educação, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG 38064-200, Brazil
| | - Christine M Dunham
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University, Rollins Research Center 4027, 1510 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Paul C Whitford
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 617 373 2952;
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35
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Altered tRNA dynamics during translocation on slippery mRNA as determinant of spontaneous ribosome frameshifting. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4231. [PMID: 35869111 PMCID: PMC9307594 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31852-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractWhen reading consecutive mRNA codons, ribosomes move by exactly one triplet at a time to synthesize a correct protein. Some mRNA tracks, called slippery sequences, are prone to ribosomal frameshifting, because the same tRNA can read both 0- and –1-frame codon. Using smFRET we show that during EF-G-catalyzed translocation on slippery sequences a fraction of ribosomes spontaneously switches from rapid, accurate translation to a slow, frameshifting-prone translocation mode where the movements of peptidyl- and deacylated tRNA become uncoupled. While deacylated tRNA translocates rapidly, pept-tRNA continues to fluctuate between chimeric and posttranslocation states, which slows down the re-locking of the small ribosomal subunit head domain. After rapid release of deacylated tRNA, pept-tRNA gains unconstrained access to the –1-frame triplet, resulting in slippage followed by recruitment of the –1-frame aa-tRNA into the A site. Our data show how altered choreography of tRNA and ribosome movements reduces the translation fidelity of ribosomes translocating in a slow mode.
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36
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Abstract
Translocation of transfer RNA (tRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) through the ribosome is catalyzed by the GTPase elongation factor G (EF-G) in bacteria. Although guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis accelerates translocation and is required for dissociation of EF-G, its fundamental role remains unclear. Here, we used ensemble Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to monitor how inhibition of GTP hydrolysis impacts the structural dynamics of the ribosome. We used FRET pairs S12-S19 and S11-S13, which unambiguously report on rotation of the 30S head domain, and the S6-L9 pair, which measures intersubunit rotation. Our results show that, in addition to slowing reverse intersubunit rotation, as shown previously, blocking GTP hydrolysis slows forward head rotation. Surprisingly, blocking GTP hydrolysis completely abolishes reverse head rotation. We find that the S13-L33 FRET pair, which has been used in previous studies to monitor head rotation, appears to report almost exclusively on intersubunit rotation. Furthermore, we find that the signal from quenching of 3'-terminal pyrene-labeled mRNA, which is used extensively to follow mRNA translocation, correlates most closely with reverse intersubunit rotation. To account for our finding that blocking GTP hydrolysis abolishes a rotational event that occurs after the movements of mRNA and tRNAs are essentially complete, we propose that the primary role of GTP hydrolysis is to create an irreversible step in a mechanism that prevents release of EF-G until both the tRNAs and mRNA have moved by one full codon, ensuring productive translocation and maintenance of the translational reading frame.
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37
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Hassan A, Whitford PC. Identifying Strategies to Experimentally Probe Multidimensional Dynamics in the Ribosome. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:8460-8471. [PMID: 36256879 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c05706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The ribosome is a complex biomolecular machine that utilizes large-scale conformational rearrangements to synthesize proteins. For example, during the elongation cycle, the "head" domain of the ribosomal small subunit (SSU) is known to undergo transient rotation events that allow for movement of tRNA molecules (i.e., translocation). While the head may exhibit rigid-body-like properties, the precise relationship between experimentally accessible probes and multidimensional rotations has yet to be established. To address this gap, we perform molecular dynamics simulations of the translocation step of the elongation cycle in the ribosome, where the SSU head spontaneously undergoes rotation and tilt-like motions. With this data set (1250 simulated events), we used statistical and information-theory-based measures to identify possible single-molecule probes that can isolate SSU head rotation and head tilting. This analysis provides a molecular interpretation for previous single-molecule measurements, while establishing a framework for the design of next-generation experiments that may precisely probe the mechanistic and kinetic aspects of the ribosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asem Hassan
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Dana Research Center 111, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts02115, United States.,Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts02115, United States
| | - Paul C Whitford
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Dana Research Center 111, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts02115, United States.,Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts02115, United States
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38
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Nishima W, Girodat D, Holm M, Rundlet EJ, Alejo JL, Fischer K, Blanchard SC, Sanbonmatsu KY. Hyper-swivel head domain motions are required for complete mRNA-tRNA translocation and ribosome resetting. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:8302-8320. [PMID: 35808938 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Translocation of messenger RNA (mRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA) substrates through the ribosome during protein synthesis, an exemplar of directional molecular movement in biology, entails a complex interplay of conformational, compositional, and chemical changes. The molecular determinants of early translocation steps have been investigated rigorously. However, the elements enabling the ribosome to complete translocation and reset for subsequent protein synthesis reactions remain poorly understood. Here, we have combined molecular simulations with single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer imaging to gain insights into the rate-limiting events of the translocation mechanism. We find that diffusive motions of the ribosomal small subunit head domain to hyper-swivelled positions, governed by universally conserved rRNA, can maneuver the mRNA and tRNAs to their fully translocated positions. Subsequent engagement of peptidyl-tRNA and disengagement of deacyl-tRNA from mRNA, within their respective small subunit binding sites, facilitate the ribosome resetting mechanism after translocation has occurred to enable protein synthesis to resume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Nishima
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
- New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA
| | - Dylan Girodat
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
- New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA
| | - Mikael Holm
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Emily J Rundlet
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Jose L Alejo
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kara Fischer
- New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA
| | - Scott C Blanchard
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Karissa Y Sanbonmatsu
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
- New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA
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39
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Seely SM, Gagnon MG. Mechanisms of ribosome recycling in bacteria and mitochondria: a structural perspective. RNA Biol 2022; 19:662-677. [PMID: 35485608 PMCID: PMC9067457 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2022.2067712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In all living cells, the ribosome translates the genetic information carried by messenger RNAs (mRNAs) into proteins. The process of ribosome recycling, a key step during protein synthesis that ensures ribosomal subunits remain available for new rounds of translation, has been largely overlooked. Despite being essential to the survival of the cell, several mechanistic aspects of ribosome recycling remain unclear. In eubacteria and mitochondria, recycling of the ribosome into subunits requires the concerted action of the ribosome recycling factor (RRF) and elongation factor G (EF-G). Recently, the conserved protein HflX was identified in bacteria as an alternative factor that recycles the ribosome under stress growth conditions. The homologue of HflX, the GTP-binding protein 6 (GTPBP6), has a dual role in mitochondrial translation by facilitating ribosome recycling and biogenesis. In this review, mechanisms of ribosome recycling in eubacteria and mitochondria are described based on structural studies of ribosome complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah M Seely
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1019, USA
| | - Matthieu G Gagnon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1019, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1019, USA.,Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1019, USA.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA
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40
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Abstract
Recent events have pushed RNA research into the spotlight. Continued discoveries of RNA with unexpected diverse functions in healthy and diseased cells, such as the role of RNA as both the source and countermeasure to a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, are igniting a new passion for understanding this functionally and structurally versatile molecule. Although RNA structure is key to function, many foundational characteristics of RNA structure are misunderstood, and the default state of RNA is often thought of and depicted as a single floppy strand. The purpose of this perspective is to help adjust mental models, equipping the community to better use the fundamental aspects of RNA structural information in new mechanistic models, enhance experimental design to test these models, and refine data interpretation. We discuss six core observations focused on the inherent nature of RNA structure and how to incorporate these characteristics to better understand RNA structure. We also offer some ideas for future efforts to make validated RNA structural information available and readily used by all researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Vicens
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045
- RNA BioScience Initiative, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Jeffrey S. Kieft
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045
- RNA BioScience Initiative, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045
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41
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Cimicata G, Fridkin G, Bose T, Eyal Z, Halfon Y, Breiner-Goldstein E, Fox T, Zimmerman E, Bashan A, de Val N, Wlodawer A, Yonath A. Structural Studies Reveal the Role of Helix 68 in the Elongation Step of Protein Biosynthesis. mBio 2022; 13:e0030622. [PMID: 35348349 PMCID: PMC9040758 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00306-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The ribosome, a multicomponent assembly consisting of RNA and proteins, is a pivotal macromolecular machine that translates the genetic code into proteins. The large ribosomal subunit rRNA helix 68 (H68) is a key element in the protein synthesis process, as it coordinates the coupled movements of the actors involved in translocation, including the tRNAs and L1 stalk. Examination of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of ribosomes incubated for various time durations at physiological temperatures led to the identification of functionally relevant H68 movements. These movements assist the transition of the L1 stalk between its open and closed states. H68 spatial flexibility and its significance to the protein synthesis process were confirmed through its effective targeting with antisense PNA oligomers. Our results suggest that H68 is actively involved in ribosome movements that are central to the elongation process. IMPORTANCE The mechanism that regulates the translocation step in ribosomes during protein synthesis is not fully understood. In this work, cryo-EM techniques used to image ribosomes from Staphylococcus aureus after incubation at physiological temperature allowed the identification of a conformation of the helix 68 that has never been observed so far. We then propose a mechanism in which such helix, switching between two different conformations, actively coordinates the translocation step, shedding light on the dynamics of ribosomal components. In addition, the relevance of helix 68 to ribosome function and its potential as an antibiotic target was proved by inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus ribosomes activity in vitro using oligomers with sequence complementarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cimicata
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gil Fridkin
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Tanaya Bose
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Zohar Eyal
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yehuda Halfon
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Elinor Breiner-Goldstein
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tara Fox
- Center for Molecular Microscopy, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Ella Zimmerman
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Anat Bashan
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Natalia de Val
- Center for Molecular Microscopy, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexander Wlodawer
- Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Ada Yonath
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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42
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Annealing synchronizes the 70 S ribosome into a minimum-energy conformation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2111231119. [PMID: 35177473 PMCID: PMC8872765 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2111231119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Researchers commonly anneal metals, alloys, and semiconductors to repair defects and improve microstructures via recrystallization. Theoretical studies indicate that simulated annealing on biological macromolecules helps predict the final structures with minimum free energy. Experimental validation of this homogenizing effect and further exploration of its applications are fascinating scientific questions that remain elusive. Here, we chose the apo-state 70S ribosome from Escherichia coli as a model, wherein the 30S subunit undergoes a thermally driven intersubunit rotation and exhibits substantial structural flexibility as well as distinct free energy. We experimentally demonstrate that annealing at a fast cooling rate enhances the 70S ribosome homogeneity and improves local resolution on the 30S subunit. After annealing, the 70S ribosome is in a nonrotated state with respect to corresponding intermediate structures in unannealed or heated ribosomes. Manifold-based analysis further indicates that the annealed 70S ribosome takes a narrow conformational distribution and exhibits a minimum-energy state in the free-energy landscape. Our experimental results offer a facile yet robust approach to enhance protein stability, which is ideal for high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy. Beyond structure determination, annealing shows great potential for synchronizing proteins on a single-molecule level and can be extended to study protein folding and explore conformational and energy landscapes.
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43
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Bao C, Zhu M, Nykonchuk I, Wakabayashi H, Mathews DH, Ermolenko DN. Specific length and structure rather than high thermodynamic stability enable regulatory mRNA stem-loops to pause translation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:988. [PMID: 35190568 PMCID: PMC8861025 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28600-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractTranslating ribosomes unwind mRNA secondary structures by three basepairs each elongation cycle. Despite the ribosome helicase, certain mRNA stem-loops stimulate programmed ribosomal frameshift by inhibiting translation elongation. Here, using mutagenesis, biochemical and single-molecule experiments, we examine whether high stability of three basepairs, which are unwound by the translating ribosome, is critical for inducing ribosome pauses. We find that encountering frameshift-inducing mRNA stem-loops from the E. coli dnaX mRNA and the gag-pol transcript of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) hinders A-site tRNA binding and slows down ribosome translocation by 15-20 folds. By contrast, unwinding of first three basepairs adjacent to the mRNA entry channel slows down the translating ribosome by only 2-3 folds. Rather than high thermodynamic stability, specific length and structure enable regulatory mRNA stem-loops to stall translation by forming inhibitory interactions with the ribosome. Our data provide the basis for rationalizing transcriptome-wide studies of translation and searching for novel regulatory mRNA stem-loops.
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44
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Skeparnias I, Zhang J. Cooperativity and Interdependency between RNA Structure and RNA-RNA Interactions. Noncoding RNA 2021; 7:ncrna7040081. [PMID: 34940761 PMCID: PMC8704770 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna7040081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex RNA–RNA interactions are increasingly known to play key roles in numerous biological processes from gene expression control to ribonucleoprotein granule formation. By contrast, the nature of these interactions and characteristics of their interfaces, especially those that involve partially or wholly structured RNAs, remain elusive. Herein, we discuss different modalities of RNA–RNA interactions with an emphasis on those that depend on secondary, tertiary, or quaternary structure. We dissect recently structurally elucidated RNA–RNA complexes including RNA triplexes, riboswitches, ribozymes, and reverse transcription complexes. These analyses highlight a reciprocal relationship that intimately links RNA structure formation with RNA–RNA interactions. The interactions not only shape and sculpt RNA structures but also are enabled and modulated by the structures they create. Understanding this two-way relationship between RNA structure and interactions provides mechanistic insights into the expanding repertoire of noncoding RNA functions, and may inform the design of novel therapeutics that target RNA structures or interactions.
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45
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Hassan A, Byju S, Whitford PC. The energetics of subunit rotation in the ribosome. Biophys Rev 2021; 13:1029-1037. [PMID: 35059025 PMCID: PMC8724491 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00877-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein synthesis in the cell is controlled by an elaborate sequence of conformational rearrangements in the ribosome. The composition of a ribosome varies by species, though they typically contain ∼ 50-100 RNA and protein molecules. While advances in structural techniques have revolutionized our understanding of long-lived conformational states, a vast range of transiently visited configurations can not be directly observed. In these cases, computational/simulation methods can be used to understand the mechanical properties of the ribosome. Insights from these approaches can then help guide next-generation experimental measurements. In this short review, we discuss theoretical strategies that have been deployed to quantitatively describe the energetics of collective rearrangements in the ribosome. We focus on efforts to probe large-scale subunit rotation events, which involve the coordinated displacement of large numbers of atoms (tens of thousands). These investigations are revealing how the molecular structure of the ribosome encodes the mechanical properties that control large-scale dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asem Hassan
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, 02115 MA USA
- Physics Department, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, 02115 MA USA
| | - Sandra Byju
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, 02115 MA USA
- Physics Department, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, 02115 MA USA
| | - Paul C. Whitford
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, 02115 MA USA
- Physics Department, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, 02115 MA USA
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46
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TwinCons: Conservation score for uncovering deep sequence similarity and divergence. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009541. [PMID: 34714829 PMCID: PMC8580257 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed the program TwinCons, to detect noisy signals of deep ancestry of proteins or nucleic acids. As input, the program uses a composite alignment containing pre-defined groups, and mathematically determines a 'cost' of transforming one group to the other at each position of the alignment. The output distinguishes conserved, variable and signature positions. A signature is conserved within groups but differs between groups. The method automatically detects continuous characteristic stretches (segments) within alignments. TwinCons provides a convenient representation of conserved, variable and signature positions as a single score, enabling the structural mapping and visualization of these characteristics. Structure is more conserved than sequence. TwinCons highlights alternative sequences of conserved structures. Using TwinCons, we detected highly similar segments between proteins from the translation and transcription systems. TwinCons detects conserved residues within regions of high functional importance for the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and demonstrates that signatures are not confined to specific regions but are distributed across the rRNA structure. The ability to evaluate both nucleic acid and protein alignments allows TwinCons to be used in combined sequence and structural analysis of signatures and conservation in rRNA and in ribosomal proteins (rProteins). TwinCons detects a strong sequence conservation signal between bacterial and archaeal rProteins related by circular permutation. This conserved sequence is structurally colocalized with conserved rRNA, indicated by TwinCons scores of rRNA alignments of bacterial and archaeal groups. This combined analysis revealed deep co-evolution of rRNA and rProtein buried within the deepest branching points in the tree of life.
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47
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Penev PI, Fakhretaha-Aval S, Patel VJ, Cannone JJ, Gutell RR, Petrov AS, Williams LD, Glass JB. Supersized Ribosomal RNA Expansion Segments in Asgard Archaea. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 12:1694-1710. [PMID: 32785681 PMCID: PMC7594248 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The ribosome’s common core, comprised of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and universal ribosomal proteins, connects all life back to a common ancestor and serves as a window to relationships among organisms. The rRNA of the common core is similar to rRNA of extant bacteria. In eukaryotes, the rRNA of the common core is decorated by expansion segments (ESs) that vastly increase its size. Supersized ESs have not been observed previously in Archaea, and the origin of eukaryotic ESs remains enigmatic. We discovered that the large ribosomal subunit (LSU) rRNA of two Asgard phyla, Lokiarchaeota and Heimdallarchaeota, considered to be the closest modern archaeal cell lineages to Eukarya, bridge the gap in size between prokaryotic and eukaryotic LSU rRNAs. The elongated LSU rRNAs in Lokiarchaeota and Heimdallarchaeota stem from two supersized ESs, called ES9 and ES39. We applied chemical footprinting experiments to study the structure of Lokiarchaeota ES39. Furthermore, we used covariation and sequence analysis to study the evolution of Asgard ES39s and ES9s. By defining the common eukaryotic ES39 signature fold, we found that Asgard ES39s have more and longer helices than eukaryotic ES39s. Although Asgard ES39s have sequences and structures distinct from eukaryotic ES39s, we found overall conservation of a three-way junction across the Asgard species that matches eukaryotic ES39 topology, a result consistent with the accretion model of ribosomal evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petar I Penev
- Georgia Institute of Technology, NASA Center for the Origin of Life, Atlanta, Georgia.,School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sara Fakhretaha-Aval
- Georgia Institute of Technology, NASA Center for the Origin of Life, Atlanta, Georgia.,School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Vaishnavi J Patel
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Jamie J Cannone
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Robin R Gutell
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Anton S Petrov
- Georgia Institute of Technology, NASA Center for the Origin of Life, Atlanta, Georgia.,School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Loren Dean Williams
- Georgia Institute of Technology, NASA Center for the Origin of Life, Atlanta, Georgia.,School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.,School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jennifer B Glass
- Georgia Institute of Technology, NASA Center for the Origin of Life, Atlanta, Georgia.,School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.,School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
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48
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Koripella RK, Deep A, Agrawal EK, Keshavan P, Banavali NK, Agrawal RK. Distinct mechanisms of the human mitoribosome recycling and antibiotic resistance. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3607. [PMID: 34127662 PMCID: PMC8203779 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23726-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribosomes are recycled for a new round of translation initiation by dissociation of ribosomal subunits, messenger RNA and transfer RNA from their translational post-termination complex. Here we present cryo-EM structures of the human 55S mitochondrial ribosome (mitoribosome) and the mitoribosomal large 39S subunit in complex with mitoribosome recycling factor (RRFmt) and a recycling-specific homolog of elongation factor G (EF-G2mt). These structures clarify an unusual role of a mitochondria-specific segment of RRFmt, identify the structural distinctions that confer functional specificity to EF-G2mt, and show that the deacylated tRNA remains with the dissociated 39S subunit, suggesting a distinct sequence of events in mitoribosome recycling. Furthermore, biochemical and structural analyses reveal that the molecular mechanism of antibiotic fusidic acid resistance for EF-G2mt is markedly different from that of mitochondrial elongation factor EF-G1mt, suggesting that the two human EF-Gmts have evolved diversely to negate the effect of a bacterial antibiotic. High-resolution cryo-EM structures and biochemical analyses of the human mitoribosome, in complex with mitochondria-specific factors mediating mitoribosome recycling, RRFmt and EF-G2mt, offer insight into mechanisms of mitoribosome recycling and resistance to antibiotic fusidic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Kiran Koripella
- Division of Translational Medicine, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Ayush Deep
- Division of Translational Medicine, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Ekansh K Agrawal
- Division of Translational Medicine, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Pooja Keshavan
- Division of Translational Medicine, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Nilesh K Banavali
- Division of Translational Medicine, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Rajendra K Agrawal
- Division of Translational Medicine, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA.
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49
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Freitas FC, Fuchs G, de Oliveira RJ, Whitford PC. The dynamics of subunit rotation in a eukaryotic ribosome. BIOPHYSICA 2021; 1:204-221. [PMID: 37484008 PMCID: PMC10361705 DOI: 10.3390/biophysica1020016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Protein synthesis by the ribosome is coordinated by an intricate series of large-scale conformational rearrangements. Structural studies can provide information about long-lived states, however biological kinetics are controlled by the intervening free-energy barriers. While there has been progress describing the energy landscapes of bacterial ribosomes, very little is known about the energetics of large-scale rearrangements in eukaryotic systems. To address this topic, we constructed an all-atom model with simplified energetics and performed simulations of subunit rotation in the yeast ribosome. In these simulations, the small subunit (SSU; ~1MDa) undergoes spontaneous and reversible rotations (~8°). By enabling the simulation of this rearrangement under equilibrium conditions, these calculations provide initial insights into the molecular factors that control dynamics in eukaryotic ribosomes. Through this, we are able to identify specific inter-subunit interactions that have a pronounced influence on the rate-limiting free-energy barrier. We also show that, as a result of changes in molecular flexibility, the thermodynamic balance between the rotated and unrotated states is temperature-dependent. This effect may be interpreted in terms of differential molecular flexibility within the rotated and unrotated states. Together, these calculations provide a foundation, upon which the field may begin to dissect the energetics of these complex molecular machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederico Campos Freitas
- Laboratório de Biofísica Teórica, Departamento de Física, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Naturais e Educação, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Gabriele Fuchs
- Department of Biological Sciences, The RNA Institute, University at Albany 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY,12222
| | - Ronaldo Junio de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biofísica Teórica, Departamento de Física, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Naturais e Educação, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Paul Charles Whitford
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
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Kummer E, Schubert KN, Schoenhut T, Scaiola A, Ban N. Structural basis of translation termination, rescue, and recycling in mammalian mitochondria. Mol Cell 2021; 81:2566-2582.e6. [PMID: 33878294 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The mitochondrial translation system originates from a bacterial ancestor but has substantially diverged in the course of evolution. Here, we use single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) as a screening tool to identify mitochondrial translation termination mechanisms and to describe them in molecular detail. We show how mitochondrial release factor 1a releases the nascent chain from the ribosome when it encounters the canonical stop codons UAA and UAG. Furthermore, we define how the peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase ICT1 acts as a rescue factor on mitoribosomes that have stalled on truncated messages to recover them for protein synthesis. Finally, we present structural models detailing the process of mitochondrial ribosome recycling to explain how a dedicated elongation factor, mitochondrial EFG2 (mtEFG2), has specialized for cooperation with the mitochondrial ribosome recycling factor to dissociate the mitoribosomal subunits at the end of the translation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Kummer
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Otto-Stern-Weg 5, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Katharina Noel Schubert
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Otto-Stern-Weg 5, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Schoenhut
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Otto-Stern-Weg 5, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alain Scaiola
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Otto-Stern-Weg 5, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nenad Ban
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Otto-Stern-Weg 5, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
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