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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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Abstract
The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are an essential and universally distributed family of enzymes that plays a critical role in protein synthesis, pairing tRNAs with their cognate amino acids for decoding mRNAs according to the genetic code. Synthetases help to ensure accurate translation of the genetic code by using both highly accurate cognate substrate recognition and stringent proofreading of noncognate products. While alterations in the quality control mechanisms of synthetases are generally detrimental to cellular viability, recent studies suggest that in some instances such changes facilitate adaption to stress conditions. Beyond their central role in translation, synthetases are also emerging as key players in an increasing number of other cellular processes, with far-reaching consequences in health and disease. The biochemical versatility of the synthetases has also proven pivotal in efforts to expand the genetic code, further emphasizing the wide-ranging roles of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase family in synthetic and natural biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Angel Rubio Gomez
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Michael Ibba
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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The paradox of elongation factor 4: highly conserved, yet of no physiological significance? Biochem J 2013; 452:173-81. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20121792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
LepA [EF4 (elongation factor 4)] is a highly conserved protein found in nearly all known genomes. EF4 triggers back-translocation of the elongating ribosome, causing the translation machinery to move one codon backwards along the mRNA. Knockout of the corresponding gene in various bacteria results in different phenotypes; however, the physiological function of the factor in vivo is unclear. Although functional research on Guf1 (GTPase of unknown function 1), the eukaryotic homologue of EF4, showed that it plays a critical role under suboptimal translation conditions in vivo, its detailed mechanism has yet to be identified. In the present review we briefly cover recent advances in our understanding of EF4, including in vitro structural and biochemical studies, and research on its physiological role in vivo. Lastly, we present a hypothesis for back-translocation and discuss the directions future EF4 research should focus on.
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Réblová K, Šponer J, Lankaš F. Structure and mechanical properties of the ribosomal L1 stalk three-way junction. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:6290-303. [PMID: 22451682 PMCID: PMC3401443 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Revised: 03/07/2012] [Accepted: 03/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The L1 stalk is a key mobile element of the large ribosomal subunit which interacts with tRNA during translocation. Here, we investigate the structure and mechanical properties of the rRNA H76/H75/H79 three-way junction at the base of the L1 stalk from four different prokaryotic organisms. We propose a coarse-grained elastic model and parameterize it using large-scale atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Global properties of the junction are well described by a model in which the H76 helix is represented by a straight, isotropically flexible elastic rod, while the junction core is represented by an isotropically flexible spherical hinge. Both the core and the helix contribute substantially to the overall H76 bending fluctuations. The presence of wobble pairs in H76 does not induce any increased flexibility or anisotropy to the helix. The half-closed conformation of the L1 stalk seems to be accessible by thermal fluctuations of the junction itself, without any long-range allosteric effects. Bending fluctuations of H76 with a bulge introduced in it suggest a rationale for the precise position of the bulge in eukaryotes. Our elastic model can be generalized to other RNA junctions found in biological systems or in nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Réblová
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, CEITEC—Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Campus Bohunice, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno and Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Šponer
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, CEITEC—Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Campus Bohunice, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno and Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Lankaš
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, CEITEC—Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Campus Bohunice, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno and Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Praha 6, Czech Republic
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Gong Y, Li M, Xu D, Wang H, He J, Wu D, Chen D, Qiu N, Bao Q, Sun M, Yu Z. Comparative proteomic analysis revealed metabolic changes and the translational regulation of Cry protein synthesis in Bacillus thuringiensis. J Proteomics 2012; 75:1235-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2011.10.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2011] [Revised: 10/29/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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