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O'Connor PBF. The Evolutionary Transition of the RNA World to Obcells to Cellular-Based Life. J Mol Evol 2024; 92:278-285. [PMID: 38683368 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-024-10171-2] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The obcell hypothesis is a proposed route for the RNA world to develop into a primitive cellular one. It posits that this transition began with the emergence of the proto-ribosome which enabled RNA to colonise the external surface of lipids by the synthesis of amphipathic peptidyl-RNAs. The obcell hypothesis also posits that the emergence of a predation-based ecosystem provided a selection mechanism for continued sophistication amongst early life forms. Here, I argue for this hypothesis owing to its significant explanatory power; it offers a rationale why a ribosome which initially was capable only of producing short non-coded peptides was advantageous and it forgoes issues related to maintaining a replicating RNA inside a lipid enclosure. I develop this model by proposing that the evolutionary selection for improved membrane anchors resulted in the emergence of primitive membrane pores which enabled obcells to gradually evolve into a cellular morphology. Moreover, I introduce a model of obcell production which advances that tRNAs developed from primers of the RNA world.
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2
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Romero Romero ML, Poehls J, Kirilenko A, Richter D, Jumel T, Shevchenko A, Toth-Petroczy A. Environment modulates protein heterogeneity through transcriptional and translational stop codon readthrough. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4446. [PMID: 38789441 PMCID: PMC11126739 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48387-x] [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: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Stop codon readthrough events give rise to longer proteins, which may alter the protein's function, thereby generating short-lasting phenotypic variability from a single gene. In order to systematically assess the frequency and origin of stop codon readthrough events, we designed a library of reporters. We introduced premature stop codons into mScarlet, which enabled high-throughput quantification of protein synthesis termination errors in E. coli using fluorescent microscopy. We found that under stress conditions, stop codon readthrough may occur at rates as high as 80%, depending on the nucleotide context, suggesting that evolution frequently samples stop codon readthrough events. The analysis of selected reporters by mass spectrometry and RNA-seq showed that not only translation but also transcription errors contribute to stop codon readthrough. The RNA polymerase was more likely to misincorporate a nucleotide at premature stop codons. Proteome-wide detection of stop codon readthrough by mass spectrometry revealed that temperature regulated the expression of cryptic sequences generated by stop codon readthrough in E. coli. Overall, our findings suggest that the environment affects the accuracy of protein production, which increases protein heterogeneity when the organisms need to adapt to new conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Romero Romero
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Jonas Poehls
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anastasiia Kirilenko
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Doris Richter
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tobias Jumel
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna Shevchenko
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Agnes Toth-Petroczy
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany.
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3
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Park EN, Mackens-Kiani T, Berhane R, Esser H, Erdenebat C, Burroughs AM, Berninghausen O, Aravind L, Beckmann R, Green R, Buskirk AR. B. subtilis MutS2 splits stalled ribosomes into subunits without mRNA cleavage. EMBO J 2024; 43:484-506. [PMID: 38177497 PMCID: PMC10897456 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-023-00010-3] [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: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Stalled ribosomes are rescued by pathways that recycle the ribosome and target the nascent polypeptide for degradation. In E. coli, these pathways are triggered by ribosome collisions through the recruitment of SmrB, a nuclease that cleaves the mRNA. In B. subtilis, the related protein MutS2 was recently implicated in ribosome rescue. Here we show that MutS2 is recruited to collisions by its SMR and KOW domains, and we reveal the interaction of these domains with collided ribosomes by cryo-EM. Using a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches, we show that MutS2 uses its ABC ATPase activity to split ribosomes, targeting the nascent peptide for degradation through the ribosome quality control pathway. However, unlike SmrB, which cleaves mRNA in E. coli, we see no evidence that MutS2 mediates mRNA cleavage or promotes ribosome rescue by tmRNA. These findings clarify the biochemical and cellular roles of MutS2 in ribosome rescue in B. subtilis and raise questions about how these pathways function differently in diverse bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther N Park
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Timur Mackens-Kiani
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rebekah Berhane
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hanna Esser
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chimeg Erdenebat
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - A Maxwell Burroughs
- Computational Biology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Otto Berninghausen
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - L Aravind
- Computational Biology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Roland Beckmann
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rachel Green
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Allen R Buskirk
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Hyun JC, Palsson BO. Reconstruction of the last bacterial common ancestor from 183 pangenomes reveals a versatile ancient core genome. Genome Biol 2023; 24:183. [PMID: 37553643 PMCID: PMC10411014 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03028-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cumulative sequencing efforts have yielded enough genomes to construct pangenomes for dozens of bacterial species and elucidate intraspecies gene conservation. Given the diversity of organisms for which this is achievable, similar analyses for ancestral species are feasible through the integration of pangenomics and phylogenetics, promising deeper insights into the nature of ancient life. RESULTS We construct pangenomes for 183 bacterial species from 54,085 genomes and identify their core genomes using a novel statistical model to estimate genome-specific error rates and underlying gene frequencies. The core genomes are then integrated into a phylogenetic tree to reconstruct the core genome of the last bacterial common ancestor (LBCA), yielding three main results: First, the gene content of modern and ancestral core genomes are diverse at the level of individual genes but are similarly distributed by functional category and share several poorly characterized genes. Second, the LBCA core genome is distinct from any individual modern core genome but has many fundamental biological systems intact, especially those involving translation machinery and biosynthetic pathways to all major nucleotides and amino acids. Third, despite this metabolic versatility, the LBCA core genome likely requires additional non-core genes for viability, based on comparisons with the minimal organism, JCVI-Syn3A. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that many cellular systems commonly conserved in modern bacteria were not just present in ancient bacteria but were nearly immutable with respect to short-term intraspecies variation. Extending this analysis to other domains of life will likely provide similar insights into more distant ancestral species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason C Hyun
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Bernhard O Palsson
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA.
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5
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Park E, Mackens-Kiani T, Berhane R, Esser H, Erdenebat C, Burroughs AM, Berninghausen O, Aravind L, Beckmann R, Green R, Buskirk AR. B. subtilis MutS2 splits stalled ribosomes into subunits without mRNA cleavage. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.05.539626. [PMID: 37205477 PMCID: PMC10187299 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.05.539626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Stalled ribosomes are rescued by pathways that recycle the ribosome and target the nascent polypeptide for degradation. In E. coli, these pathways are triggered by ribosome collisions through recruitment of SmrB, a nuclease that cleaves the mRNA. In B. subtilis, the related protein MutS2 was recently implicated in ribosome rescue. Here we show that MutS2 is recruited to collisions by its SMR and KOW domains and reveal the interaction of these domains with collided ribosomes by cryo-EM. Using a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches, we show that MutS2 uses its ABC ATPase activity to split ribosomes, targeting the nascent peptide for degradation by the ribosome quality control pathway. Notably, we see no evidence of mRNA cleavage by MutS2, nor does it promote ribosome rescue by tmRNA as SmrB cleavage does in E. coli. These findings clarify the biochemical and cellular roles of MutS2 in ribosome rescue in B. subtilis and raise questions about how these pathways function differently in various bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Park
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Timur Mackens-Kiani
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rebekah Berhane
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Hanna Esser
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chimeg Erdenebat
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - A. Maxwell Burroughs
- Computational Biology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Otto Berninghausen
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - L. Aravind
- Computational Biology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Roland Beckmann
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rachel Green
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Allen R. Buskirk
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
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6
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Burroughs A, Aravind L. New biochemistry in the Rhodanese-phosphatase superfamily: emerging roles in diverse metabolic processes, nucleic acid modifications, and biological conflicts. NAR Genom Bioinform 2023; 5:lqad029. [PMID: 36968430 PMCID: PMC10034599 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqad029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The protein-tyrosine/dual-specificity phosphatases and rhodanese domains constitute a sprawling superfamily of Rossmannoid domains that use a conserved active site with a cysteine to catalyze a range of phosphate-transfer, thiotransfer, selenotransfer and redox activities. While these enzymes have been extensively studied in the context of protein/lipid head group dephosphorylation and various thiotransfer reactions, their overall diversity and catalytic potential remain poorly understood. Using comparative genomics and sequence/structure analysis, we comprehensively investigate and develop a natural classification for this superfamily. As a result, we identified several novel clades, both those which retain the catalytic cysteine and those where a distinct active site has emerged in the same location (e.g. diphthine synthase-like methylases and RNA 2' OH ribosyl phosphate transferases). We also present evidence that the superfamily has a wider range of catalytic capabilities than previously known, including a set of parallel activities operating on various sugar/sugar alcohol groups in the context of NAD+-derivatives and RNA termini, and potential phosphate transfer activities involving sugars and nucleotides. We show that such activities are particularly expanded in the RapZ-C-DUF488-DUF4326 clade, defined here for the first time. Some enzymes from this clade are predicted to catalyze novel DNA-end processing activities as part of nucleic-acid-modifying systems that are likely to function in biological conflicts between viruses and their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Maxwell Burroughs
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - L Aravind
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
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7
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Chrzanowska-Lightowlers ZM, Lightowlers RN. Translation in Mitochondrial Ribosomes. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2661:53-72. [PMID: 37166631 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3171-3_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial protein synthesis is essential for the life of aerobic eukaryotes. Without it, oxidative phosphorylation cannot be coupled. Evolution has shaped a battery of factors and machinery that are key to production of just a handful of critical proteins. In this general concept chapter, we attempt to briefly summarize our current knowledge of the overall process in mitochondria from a variety of species, breaking this down to the four parts of translation: initiation, elongation, termination, and recycling. Where appropriate, we highlight differences between species and emphasize gaps in our understanding. Excitingly, with the current revolution in cryoelectron microscopy and mitochondrial genome editing, it is highly likely that many of these gaps will be resolved in the near future. However, the absence of a faithful in vitro reconstituted system to study mitochondrial translation is still problematic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zofia M Chrzanowska-Lightowlers
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Robert N Lightowlers
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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8
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Yarus M. A crescendo of competent coding (c3) contains the Standard Genetic Code. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 28:1337-1347. [PMID: 35868841 PMCID: PMC9479743 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079275.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Standard Genetic Code (SGC) can arise by fusion of partial codes evolved in different individuals, perhaps for differing prior tasks. Such code fragments can be unified into an SGC after later evolution of accurate third-position Crick wobble. Late wobble advent fills in the coding table, leaving only later development of translational initiation and termination to reach the SGC in separated domains of life. This code fusion mechanism is computationally implemented here. Late Crick wobble after C3 fusion (c3-lCw) is tested for its ability to evolve the SGC. Compared with previously studied isolated coding tables, or with increasing numbers of parallel, but nonfusing codes, c3-lCw reaches the SGC sooner, is successful in a smaller population, and presents accurate and complete codes more frequently. Notably, a long crescendo of SGC-like codes is exposed for selection of superior translation. c3-lCw also effectively suppresses varied disordered assignments, thus converging on a unified code. Such merged codes closely approach the SGC, making its selection plausible. For example: Under routine conditions, ≈1 of 22 c3-lCw environments evolves codes with ≥20 assignments and ≤3 differences from the SGC, notably including codes identical to the Standard Genetic Code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Yarus
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0347, USA
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9
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Kozlova MI, Shalaeva DN, Dibrova DV, Mulkidjanian AY. Common Mechanism of Activated Catalysis in P-loop Fold Nucleoside Triphosphatases-United in Diversity. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1346. [PMID: 36291556 PMCID: PMC9599734 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To clarify the obscure hydrolysis mechanism of ubiquitous P-loop-fold nucleoside triphosphatases (Walker NTPases), we analysed the structures of 3136 catalytic sites with bound Mg-NTP complexes or their analogues. Our results are presented in two articles; here, in the second of them, we elucidated whether the Walker A and Walker B sequence motifs-common to all P-loop NTPases-could be directly involved in catalysis. We found that the hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) between the strictly conserved, Mg-coordinating Ser/Thr of the Walker A motif ([Ser/Thr]WA) and aspartate of the Walker B motif (AspWB) are particularly short (even as short as 2.4 ångströms) in the structures with bound transition state (TS) analogues. Given that a short H-bond implies parity in the pKa values of the H-bond partners, we suggest that, in response to the interactions of a P-loop NTPase with its cognate activating partner, a proton relocates from [Ser/Thr]WA to AspWB. The resulting anionic [Ser/Thr]WA alkoxide withdraws a proton from the catalytic water molecule, and the nascent hydroxyl attacks the gamma phosphate of NTP. When the gamma-phosphate breaks away, the trapped proton at AspWB passes by the Grotthuss relay via [Ser/Thr]WA to beta-phosphate and compensates for its developing negative charge that is thought to be responsible for the activation barrier of hydrolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria I. Kozlova
- School of Physics, Osnabrueck University, D-49069 Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Daria N. Shalaeva
- School of Physics, Osnabrueck University, D-49069 Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Daria V. Dibrova
- School of Physics, Osnabrueck University, D-49069 Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Armen Y. Mulkidjanian
- School of Physics, Osnabrueck University, D-49069 Osnabrueck, Germany
- Center of Cellular Nanoanalytics, Osnabrueck University, D-49069 Osnabrueck, Germany
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10
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Kozlova MI, Shalaeva DN, Dibrova DV, Mulkidjanian AY. Common Patterns of Hydrolysis Initiation in P-loop Fold Nucleoside Triphosphatases. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1345. [PMID: 36291554 PMCID: PMC9599529 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The P-loop fold nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) hydrolases (also known as Walker NTPases) function as ATPases, GTPases, and ATP synthases, are often of medical importance, and represent one of the largest and evolutionarily oldest families of enzymes. There is still no consensus on their catalytic mechanism. To clarify this, we performed the first comparative structural analysis of more than 3100 structures of P-loop NTPases that contain bound substrate Mg-NTPs or their analogues. We proceeded on the assumption that structural features common to these P-loop NTPases may be essential for catalysis. Our results are presented in two articles. Here, in the first, we consider the structural elements that stimulate hydrolysis. Upon interaction of P-loop NTPases with their cognate activating partners (RNA/DNA/protein domains), specific stimulatory moieties, usually Arg or Lys residues, are inserted into the catalytic site and initiate the cleavage of gamma phosphate. By analyzing a plethora of structures, we found that the only shared feature was the mechanistic interaction of stimulators with the oxygen atoms of gamma-phosphate group, capable of causing its rotation. One of the oxygen atoms of gamma phosphate coordinates the cofactor Mg ion. The rotation must pull this oxygen atom away from the Mg ion. This rearrangement should affect the properties of the other Mg ligands and may initiate hydrolysis according to the mechanism elaborated in the second article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria I. Kozlova
- School of Physics, Osnabrueck University, D-49069 Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Daria N. Shalaeva
- School of Physics, Osnabrueck University, D-49069 Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Daria V. Dibrova
- School of Physics, Osnabrueck University, D-49069 Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Armen Y. Mulkidjanian
- School of Physics, Osnabrueck University, D-49069 Osnabrueck, Germany
- Center of Cellular Nanoanalytics, Osnabrueck University, D-49069 Osnabrueck, Germany
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11
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Iyer LM, Burroughs AM, Anantharaman V, Aravind L. Apprehending the NAD +-ADPr-Dependent Systems in the Virus World. Viruses 2022; 14:1977. [PMID: 36146784 PMCID: PMC9503650 DOI: 10.3390/v14091977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
NAD+ and ADP-ribose (ADPr)-containing molecules are at the interface of virus-host conflicts across life encompassing RNA processing, restriction, lysogeny/dormancy and functional hijacking. We objectively defined the central components of the NAD+-ADPr networks involved in these conflicts and systematically surveyed 21,191 completely sequenced viral proteomes representative of all publicly available branches of the viral world to reconstruct a comprehensive picture of the viral NAD+-ADPr systems. These systems have been widely and repeatedly exploited by positive-strand RNA and DNA viruses, especially those with larger genomes and more intricate life-history strategies. We present evidence that ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTs), ADPr-targeting Macro, NADAR and Nudix proteins are frequently packaged into virions, particularly in phages with contractile tails (Myoviruses), and deployed during infection to modify host macromolecules and counter NAD+-derived signals involved in viral restriction. Genes encoding NAD+-ADPr-utilizing domains were repeatedly exchanged between distantly related viruses, hosts and endo-parasites/symbionts, suggesting selection for them across the virus world. Contextual analysis indicates that the bacteriophage versions of ADPr-targeting domains are more likely to counter soluble ADPr derivatives, while the eukaryotic RNA viral versions might prefer macromolecular ADPr adducts. Finally, we also use comparative genomics to predict host systems involved in countering viral ADP ribosylation of host molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - L. Aravind
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
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12
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Maviza TP, Zarechenskaia AS, Burmistrova NR, Tchoub AS, Dontsova OA, Sergiev PV, Osterman IA. RtcB2-PrfH Operon Protects E. coli ATCC25922 Strain from Colicin E3 Toxin. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6453. [PMID: 35742896 PMCID: PMC9223846 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126453] [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: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In the bid to survive and thrive in an environmental setting, bacterial species constantly interact and compete for resources and space in the microbial ecosystem. Thus, they have adapted to use various antibiotics and toxins to fight their rivals. Simultaneously, they have evolved an ability to withstand weapons that are directed against them. Several bacteria harbor colicinogenic plasmids which encode toxins that impair the translational apparatus. One of them, colicin E3 ribotoxin, mediates cleavage of the 16S rRNA in the decoding center of the ribosome. In order to thrive upon deployment of such ribotoxins, competing bacteria may have evolved counter-conflict mechanisms to prevent their demise. A recent study demonstrated the role of PrfH and the RtcB2 module in rescuing a damaged ribosome and the subsequent re-ligation of the cleaved 16S rRNA by colicin E3 in vitro. The rtcB2-prfH genes coexist as gene neighbors in an operon that is sporadically spread among different bacteria. In the current study, we report that the RtcB2-PrfH module confers resistance to colicin E3 toxicity in E. coli ATCC25922 cells in vivo. We demonstrated that the viability of E. coli ATCC25922 strain that is devoid of rtcB2 and prfH genes is impaired upon action of colicin E3, in contrast to the parental strain which has intact rtcB2 and prfH genes. Complementation of the rtcB2 and prfH gene knockout with a high copy number-plasmid (encoding either rtcB2 alone or both rtcB2-prfH operon) restored resistance to colicin E3. These results highlight a counter-conflict system that may have evolved to thwart colicin E3 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinashe P. Maviza
- Center of Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia; (T.P.M.); (A.S.Z.); (O.A.D.); (P.V.S.)
| | - Anastasiia S. Zarechenskaia
- Center of Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia; (T.P.M.); (A.S.Z.); (O.A.D.); (P.V.S.)
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics and Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russia; (N.R.B.); (A.S.T.)
| | - Nadezhda R. Burmistrova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics and Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russia; (N.R.B.); (A.S.T.)
| | - Andrey S. Tchoub
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics and Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russia; (N.R.B.); (A.S.T.)
| | - Olga A. Dontsova
- Center of Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia; (T.P.M.); (A.S.Z.); (O.A.D.); (P.V.S.)
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics and Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russia; (N.R.B.); (A.S.T.)
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119992, Russia
| | - Petr V. Sergiev
- Center of Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia; (T.P.M.); (A.S.Z.); (O.A.D.); (P.V.S.)
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics and Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russia; (N.R.B.); (A.S.T.)
| | - Ilya A. Osterman
- Center of Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia; (T.P.M.); (A.S.Z.); (O.A.D.); (P.V.S.)
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics and Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russia; (N.R.B.); (A.S.T.)
- Genetics and Life Sciences Research Center, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 1 Olympic Ave., Sochi 354340, Russia
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13
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“Superwobbling” and tRNA-34 Wobble and tRNA-37 Anticodon Loop Modifications in Evolution and Devolution of the Genetic Code. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020252. [PMID: 35207539 PMCID: PMC8879553 DOI: 10.3390/life12020252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic code evolved around the reading of the tRNA anticodon on the primitive ribosome, and tRNA-34 wobble and tRNA-37 modifications coevolved with the code. We posit that EF-Tu, the closing mechanism of the 30S ribosomal subunit, methylation of wobble U34 at the 5-carbon and suppression of wobbling at the tRNA-36 position were partly redundant and overlapping functions that coevolved to establish the code. The genetic code devolved in evolution of mitochondria to reduce the size of the tRNAome (all of the tRNAs of an organism or organelle). “Superwobbling” or four-way wobbling describes a major mechanism for shrinking the mitochondrial tRNAome. In superwobbling, unmodified wobble tRNA-U34 can recognize all four codon wobble bases (A, G, C and U), allowing a single unmodified tRNA-U34 to read a 4-codon box. During code evolution, to suppress superwobbling in 2-codon sectors, U34 modification by methylation at the 5-carbon position appears essential. As expected, at the base of code evolution, tRNA-37 modifications mostly related to the identity of the adjacent tRNA-36 base. TRNA-37 modifications help maintain the translation frame during elongation.
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14
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Kurita D, Himeno H. Bacterial Ribosome Rescue Systems. Microorganisms 2022; 10:372. [PMID: 35208827 PMCID: PMC8874680 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020372] [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: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
To maintain proteostasis, the cell employs multiple ribosome rescue systems to relieve the stalled ribosome on problematic mRNA. One example of problematic mRNA is non-stop mRNA that lacks an in-frame stop codon produced by endonucleolytic cleavage or transcription error. In Escherichia coli, there are at least three ribosome rescue systems that deal with the ribosome stalled on non-stop mRNA. According to one estimation, 2-4% of translation is the target of ribosome rescue systems even under normal growth conditions. In the present review, we discuss the recent findings of ribosome rescue systems in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hyouta Himeno
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hirosaki University, 3, Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki 036-8561, Japan;
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15
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Ho AT, Hurst LD. Variation in Release Factor Abundance Is Not Needed to Explain Trends in Bacterial Stop Codon Usage. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:msab326. [PMID: 34751397 PMCID: PMC8789281 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In bacteria stop codons are recognized by one of two class I release factors (RF1) recognizing TAG, RF2 recognizing TGA, and TAA being recognized by both. Variation across bacteria in the relative abundance of RF1 and RF2 is thus hypothesized to select for different TGA/TAG usage. This has been supported by correlations between TAG:TGA ratios and RF1:RF2 ratios across multiple bacterial species, potentially also explaining why TAG usage is approximately constant despite extensive variation in GC content. It is, however, possible that stop codon trends are determined by other forces and that RF ratios adapt to stop codon usage, rather than vice versa. Here, we determine which direction of the causal arrow is the more parsimonious. Our results support the notion that RF1/RF2 ratios become adapted to stop codon usage as the same trends, notably the anomalous TAG behavior, are seen in contexts where RF1:RF2 ratios cannot be, or are unlikely to be, causative, that is, at 3'untranslated sites never used for translation termination, in intragenomic analyses, and across archaeal species (that possess only one RF1). We conclude that specifics of RF biology are unlikely to fully explain TGA/TAG relative usage. We discuss why the causal relationships for the evolution of synonymous stop codon usage might be different from those affecting synonymous sense codon usage, noting that transitions between TGA and TAG require two-point mutations one of which is likely to be deleterious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander T Ho
- Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Laurence D Hurst
- Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
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16
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Korostelev AA. Diversity and Similarity of Termination and Ribosome Rescue in Bacterial, Mitochondrial, and Cytoplasmic Translation. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2021; 86:1107-1121. [PMID: 34565314 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297921090066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
When a ribosome encounters the stop codon of an mRNA, it terminates translation, releases the newly made protein, and is recycled to initiate translation on a new mRNA. Termination is a highly dynamic process in which release factors (RF1 and RF2 in bacteria; eRF1•eRF3•GTP in eukaryotes) coordinate peptide release with large-scale molecular rearrangements of the ribosome. Ribosomes stalled on aberrant mRNAs are rescued and recycled by diverse bacterial, mitochondrial, or cytoplasmic quality control mechanisms. These are catalyzed by rescue factors with peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase activity (bacterial ArfA•RF2 and ArfB, mitochondrial ICT1 and mtRF-R, and cytoplasmic Vms1), that are distinct from each other and from release factors. Nevertheless, recent structural studies demonstrate a remarkable similarity between translation termination and ribosome rescue mechanisms. This review describes how these pathways rely on inherent ribosome dynamics, emphasizing the active role of the ribosome in all translation steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei A Korostelev
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, UMass Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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17
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Abstract
Translation of the genetic information into proteins, performed by the ribosome, is a key cellular process in all organisms. Translation usually proceeds smoothly, but, unfortunately, undesirable events can lead to stalling of translating ribosomes. To rescue these faulty arrested ribosomes, bacterial cells possess three well-characterized quality control systems, tmRNA, ArfA, and ArfB. Recently, an additional ribosome rescue mechanism has been discovered in Bacillus subtilis. In contrast to the "canonical" systems targeting the 70S bacterial ribosome, this latter mechanism operates by first splitting the ribosome into the small (30S) and large (50S) subunits to then clearing the resultant jammed large subunit from the incomplete nascent polypeptide. Here, I will discuss the recent microbiological, biochemical, and structural data regarding functioning of this novel rescue system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim S Svetlov
- Center for Biomolecular Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
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18
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Takada H, Crowe-McAuliffe C, Polte C, Sidorova ZY, Murina V, Atkinson GC, Konevega AL, Ignatova Z, Wilson DN, Hauryliuk V. RqcH and RqcP catalyze processive poly-alanine synthesis in a reconstituted ribosome-associated quality control system. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:8355-8369. [PMID: 34255840 PMCID: PMC8373112 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In the cell, stalled ribosomes are rescued through ribosome-associated protein quality-control (RQC) pathways. After splitting of the stalled ribosome, a C-terminal polyalanine 'tail' is added to the unfinished polypeptide attached to the tRNA on the 50S ribosomal subunit. In Bacillus subtilis, polyalanine tailing is catalyzed by the NEMF family protein RqcH, in cooperation with RqcP. However, the mechanistic details of this process remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that RqcH is responsible for tRNAAla selection during RQC elongation, whereas RqcP lacks any tRNA specificity. The ribosomal protein uL11 is crucial for RqcH, but not RqcP, recruitment to the 50S subunit, and B. subtilis lacking uL11 are RQC-deficient. Through mutational mapping, we identify critical residues within RqcH and RqcP that are important for interaction with the P-site tRNA and/or the 50S subunit. Additionally, we have reconstituted polyalanine-tailing in vitro and can demonstrate that RqcH and RqcP are necessary and sufficient for processivity in a minimal system. Moreover, the in vitro reconstituted system recapitulates our in vivo findings by reproducing the importance of conserved residues of RqcH and RqcP for functionality. Collectively, our findings provide mechanistic insight into the role of RqcH and RqcP in the bacterial RQC pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiraku Takada
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kamigamo, Motoyama, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan.,Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden.,Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Caillan Crowe-McAuliffe
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christine Polte
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Zhanna Yu Sidorova
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", 188300 Gatchina, Russia.,Russian Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology of FMBA, 191024 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Victoriia Murina
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden.,Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Gemma C Atkinson
- National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey L Konevega
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", 188300 Gatchina, Russia.,Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 Saint Petersburg, Russia.,National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Zoya Ignatova
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel N Wilson
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vasili Hauryliuk
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden.,Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden.,University of Tartu, Institute of Technology, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
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19
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Howard CJ, Frost A. Ribosome-associated quality control and CAT tailing. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 56:603-620. [PMID: 34233554 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2021.1938507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Translation is the set of mechanisms by which ribosomes decode genetic messages as they synthesize polypeptides of a defined amino acid sequence. While the ribosome has been honed by evolution for high-fidelity translation, errors are inevitable. Aberrant mRNAs, mRNA structure, defective ribosomes, interactions between nascent proteins and the ribosomal exit tunnel, and insufficient cellular resources, including low tRNA levels, can lead to functionally irreversible stalls. Life thus depends on quality control mechanisms that detect, disassemble and recycle stalled translation intermediates. Ribosome-associated Quality Control (RQC) recognizes aberrant ribosome states and targets their potentially toxic polypeptides for degradation. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of RQC in bacteria, fungi, and metazoans. We focus in particular on an unusual modification made to the nascent chain known as a "CAT tail", or Carboxy-terminal Alanine and Threonine tail, and the mechanisms by which ancient RQC proteins catalyze CAT-tail synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor J Howard
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Adam Frost
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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20
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Giuliodori AM, Marzi S. Editorial: Interview With the Translational Apparatus: Stories of Intriguing Circuits and Mechanisms to Regulate Translation in Bacteria. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:707354. [PMID: 34220790 PMCID: PMC8249761 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.707354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Giuliodori
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Stefano Marzi
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR9002, Strasbourg, France
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21
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Müller C, Crowe-McAuliffe C, Wilson DN. Ribosome Rescue Pathways in Bacteria. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:652980. [PMID: 33815344 PMCID: PMC8012679 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.652980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribosomes that become stalled on truncated or damaged mRNAs during protein synthesis must be rescued for the cell to survive. Bacteria have evolved a diverse array of rescue pathways to remove the stalled ribosomes from the aberrant mRNA and return them to the free pool of actively translating ribosomes. In addition, some of these pathways target the damaged mRNA and the incomplete nascent polypeptide chain for degradation. This review highlights the recent developments in our mechanistic understanding of bacterial ribosomal rescue systems, including drop-off, trans-translation mediated by transfer-messenger RNA and small protein B, ribosome rescue by the alternative rescue factors ArfA and ArfB, as well as Bacillus ribosome rescue factor A, an additional rescue system found in some Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis. Finally, we discuss the recent findings of ribosome-associated quality control in particular bacterial lineages mediated by RqcH and RqcP. The importance of rescue pathways for bacterial survival suggests they may represent novel targets for the development of new antimicrobial agents against multi-drug resistant pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel N. Wilson
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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22
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Abstract
Wobble coding is inevitable during evolution of the Standard Genetic Code (SGC). It ultimately splits half of NN U/C/A/G coding boxes with different assignments. Further, it contributes to pervasive SGC order by reinforcing close spacing for identical SGC assignments. But wobble cannot appear too soon, or it will inhibit encoding and more decisively, obstruct evolution of full coding tables. However, these prior results assumed Crick wobble, NN U/C and NN A/G, read by a single adaptor RNA. Superwobble translates NN U/C/A/G codons, using one adaptor RNA with an unmodified 5' anticodon U (appropriate to earliest coding) in modern mitochondria, plastids, and mycoplasma. Assuming the SGC was selected when evolving codes most resembled it, characteristics of the critical selection events can be calculated. For example, continuous superwobble infrequently evolves SGC-like coding tables. So, continuous superwobble is a very improbable origin hypothesis. In contrast, late-arising superwobble shares late Crick wobble's frequent resemblance to SGC order. Thus late superwobble is possible, but yields SGC-like assignments less frequently than late Crick wobble. Ancient coding ambiguity, most simply, arose from Crick wobble alone. This is consistent with SGC assignments to NAN codons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Yarus
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309-0347, USA.
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23
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Abstract
Diverse models have been advanced for the evolution of the genetic code. Here, models for tRNA, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) and genetic code evolution were combined with an understanding of EF-Tu suppression of tRNA 3rd anticodon position wobbling. The result is a highly detailed scheme that describes the placements of all amino acids in the standard genetic code. The model describes evolution of 6-, 4-, 3-, 2- and 1-codon sectors. Innovation in column 3 of the code is explained. Wobbling and code degeneracy are explained. Separate distribution of serine sectors between columns 2 and 4 of the code is described. We conclude that very little chaos contributed to evolution of the genetic code and that the pattern of evolution of aaRS enzymes describes a history of the evolution of the code. A model is proposed to describe the biological selection for the earliest evolution of the code and for protocell evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Lei
- Department of Biology, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, USA
| | - Zachary Frome Burton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI, USA
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24
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Abstract
A near-universal Standard Genetic Code (SGC) implies a single origin for present Earth life. To study this unique event, I compute paths to the SGC, comparing different plausible histories. Notably, SGC-like coding emerges from traditional evolutionary mechanisms, and a superior route can be identified. To objectively measure evolution, progress values from 0 (random coding) to 1 (SGC-like) are defined: these measure fractions of random-code-to-SGC distance. Progress types are spacing/distance/delta Polar Requirement, detecting space between identical assignments/mutational distance to the SGC/chemical order, respectively. The coding system is based on selected RNAs performing aminoacyl-RNA synthetase reactions. Acceptor RNAs exhibit SGC-like Crick wobble; alternatively, non-wobbling triplets uniquely encode 20 amino acids/start/stop. Triplets acquire 22 functions by stereochemistry, selection, coevolution, or at random. Assignments also propagate to an assigned triplet’s neighborhood via single mutations, but can also decay. A vast code universe makes futile evolutionary paths plentiful. Thus, SGC evolution is critically sensitive to disorder from random assignments. Evolution also inevitably slows near coding completion. The SGC likely avoided these difficulties, and two suitable paths are compared. In late wobble, a majority of non-wobble assignments are made before wobble is adopted. In continuous wobble, a uniquely advantageous early intermediate yields an ordered SGC. Revised coding evolution (limited randomness, late wobble, concentration on amino acid encoding, chemically conservative coevolution with a chemically ordered elite) produces varied full codes with excellent joint progress values. A population of only 600 independent coding tables includes SGC-like members; a Bayesian path toward more accurate SGC evolution is available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Yarus
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309-0347, USA.
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25
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Lee M, Matsunaga N, Akabane S, Yasuda I, Ueda T, Takeuchi-Tomita N. Reconstitution of mammalian mitochondrial translation system capable of correct initiation and long polypeptide synthesis from leaderless mRNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:371-382. [PMID: 33300043 PMCID: PMC7797035 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian mitochondria have their own dedicated protein synthesis system, which produces 13 essential subunits of the oxidative phosphorylation complexes. We have reconstituted an in vitro translation system from mammalian mitochondria, utilizing purified recombinant mitochondrial translation factors, 55S ribosomes from pig liver mitochondria, and a tRNA mixture from either Escherichia coli or yeast. The system is capable of translating leaderless mRNAs encoding model proteins (DHFR and nanoLuciferase) or some mtDNA-encoded proteins. We show that a leaderless mRNA, encoding nanoLuciferase, is faithfully initiated without the need for any auxiliary factors other than IF-2mt and IF-3mt. We found that the ribosome-dependent GTPase activities of both the translocase EF-G1mt and the recycling factor EF-G2mt are insensitive to fusidic acid (FA), the translation inhibitor that targets bacterial EF-G homologs, and consequently the system is resistant to FA. Moreover, we demonstrate that a polyproline sequence in the protein causes 55S mitochondrial ribosome stalling, yielding ribosome nascent chain complexes. Analyses of the effects of the Mg concentration on the polyproline-mediated ribosome stalling suggested the unique regulation of peptide elongation by the mitoribosome. This system will be useful for analyzing the mechanism of translation initiation, and the interactions between the nascent peptide chain and the mitochondrial ribosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhoon Lee
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Noriko Matsunaga
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Shiori Akabane
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8562, Japan.,Department of Life Science, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, 171-8501, Japan
| | - Ippei Yasuda
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Takuya Ueda
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8562, Japan.,Department of Integrative Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Shinjuku 162-8480, Japan
| | - Nono Takeuchi-Tomita
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
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26
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M. Iyer L, Anantharaman V, Krishnan A, Burroughs AM, Aravind L. Jumbo Phages: A Comparative Genomic Overview of Core Functions and Adaptions for Biological Conflicts. Viruses 2021; 13:v13010063. [PMID: 33466489 PMCID: PMC7824862 DOI: 10.3390/v13010063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Jumbo phages have attracted much attention by virtue of their extraordinary genome size and unusual aspects of biology. By performing a comparative genomics analysis of 224 jumbo phages, we suggest an objective inclusion criterion based on genome size distributions and present a synthetic overview of their manifold adaptations across major biological systems. By means of clustering and principal component analysis of the phyletic patterns of conserved genes, all known jumbo phages can be classified into three higher-order groups, which include both myoviral and siphoviral morphologies indicating multiple independent origins from smaller predecessors. Our study uncovers several under-appreciated or unreported aspects of the DNA replication, recombination, transcription and virion maturation systems. Leveraging sensitive sequence analysis methods, we identify novel protein-modifying enzymes that might help hijack the host-machinery. Focusing on host–virus conflicts, we detect strategies used to counter different wings of the bacterial immune system, such as cyclic nucleotide- and NAD+-dependent effector-activation, and prevention of superinfection during pseudolysogeny. We reconstruct the RNA-repair systems of jumbo phages that counter the consequences of RNA-targeting host effectors. These findings also suggest that several jumbo phage proteins provide a snapshot of the systems found in ancient replicons preceding the last universal ancestor of cellular life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshminarayan M. Iyer
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA; (L.M.I.); (V.A.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Vivek Anantharaman
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA; (L.M.I.); (V.A.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Arunkumar Krishnan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Berhampur, Odisha 760010, India;
| | - A. Maxwell Burroughs
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA; (L.M.I.); (V.A.); (A.M.B.)
| | - L. Aravind
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA; (L.M.I.); (V.A.); (A.M.B.)
- Correspondence:
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27
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Krishnan A, Burroughs AM, Iyer LM, Aravind L. Comprehensive classification of ABC ATPases and their functional radiation in nucleoprotein dynamics and biological conflict systems. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:10045-10075. [PMID: 32894288 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ABC ATPases form one of the largest clades of P-loop NTPase fold enzymes that catalyze ATP-hydrolysis and utilize its free energy for a staggering range of functions from transport to nucleoprotein dynamics. Using sensitive sequence and structure analysis with comparative genomics, for the first time we provide a comprehensive classification of the ABC ATPase superfamily. ABC ATPases developed structural hallmarks that unambiguously distinguish them from other P-loop NTPases such as an alternative to arginine-finger-based catalysis. At least five and up to eight distinct clades of ABC ATPases are reconstructed as being present in the last universal common ancestor. They underwent distinct phases of structural innovation with the emergence of inserts constituting conserved binding interfaces for proteins or nucleic acids and the adoption of a unique dimeric toroidal configuration for DNA-threading. Specifically, several clades have also extensively radiated in counter-invader conflict systems where they serve as nodal nucleotide-dependent sensory and energetic components regulating a diversity of effectors (including some previously unrecognized) acting independently or together with restriction-modification systems. We present a unified mechanism for ABC ATPase function across disparate systems like RNA editing, translation, metabolism, DNA repair, and biological conflicts, and some unexpected recruitments, such as MutS ATPases in secondary metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunkumar Krishnan
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - A Maxwell Burroughs
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Lakshminarayan M Iyer
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - L Aravind
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
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28
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Tollerson R, Ibba M. Translational regulation of environmental adaptation in bacteria. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:10434-10445. [PMID: 32518156 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.012742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria must rapidly respond to both intracellular and environmental changes to survive. One critical mechanism to rapidly detect and adapt to changes in environmental conditions is control of gene expression at the level of protein synthesis. At each of the three major steps of translation-initiation, elongation, and termination-cells use stimuli to tune translation rate and cellular protein concentrations. For example, changes in nutrient concentrations in the cell can lead to translational responses involving mechanisms such as dynamic folding of riboswitches during translation initiation or the synthesis of alarmones, which drastically alter cell physiology. Moreover, the cell can fine-tune the levels of specific protein products using programmed ribosome pausing or inducing frameshifting. Recent studies have improved understanding and revealed greater complexity regarding long-standing paradigms describing key regulatory steps of translation such as start-site selection and the coupling of transcription and translation. In this review, we describe how bacteria regulate their gene expression at the three translational steps and discuss how translation is used to detect and respond to changes in the cellular environment. Finally, we appraise the costs and benefits of regulation at the translational level in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodney Tollerson
- Department of Microbiology and Center for RNA Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Michael Ibba
- Department of Microbiology and Center for RNA Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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29
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Basu A, Shields KE, Yap MNF. The hibernating 100S complex is a target of ribosome-recycling factor and elongation factor G in Staphylococcus aureus. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:6053-6063. [PMID: 32209660 PMCID: PMC7196661 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.012307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of translationally inactive 70S dimers (called 100S ribosomes) by hibernation-promoting factor is a widespread survival strategy among bacteria. Ribosome dimerization is thought to be reversible, with the dissociation of the 100S complexes enabling ribosome recycling for participation in new rounds of translation. The precise pathway of 100S ribosome recycling has been unclear. We previously found that the heat-shock GTPase HflX in the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is a minor disassembly factor. Cells lacking hflX do not accumulate 100S ribosomes unless they are subjected to heat exposure, suggesting the existence of an alternative pathway during nonstressed conditions. Here, we provide biochemical and genetic evidence that two essential translation factors, ribosome-recycling factor (RRF) and GTPase elongation factor G (EF-G), synergistically split 100S ribosomes in a GTP-dependent but tRNA translocation-independent manner. We found that although HflX and the RRF/EF-G pair are functionally interchangeable, HflX is expressed at low levels and is dispensable under normal growth conditions. The bacterial RRF/EF-G pair was previously known to target only the post-termination 70S complexes; our results reveal a new role in the reversal of ribosome hibernation that is intimately linked to bacterial pathogenesis, persister formation, stress responses, and ribosome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnab Basu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104
| | - Kathryn E Shields
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104
| | - Mee-Ngan F Yap
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104; Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611.
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30
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Evolution of Life on Earth: tRNA, Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases and the Genetic Code. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10030021. [PMID: 32131473 PMCID: PMC7151597 DOI: 10.3390/life10030021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Life on Earth and the genetic code evolved around tRNA and the tRNA anticodon. We posit that the genetic code initially evolved to synthesize polyglycine as a cross-linking agent to stabilize protocells. We posit that the initial amino acids to enter the code occupied larger sectors of the code that were then invaded by incoming amino acids. Displacements of amino acids follow selection rules. The code sectored from a glycine code to a four amino acid code to an eight amino acid code to an ~16 amino acid code to the standard 20 amino acid code with stops. The proposed patterns of code sectoring are now most apparent from patterns of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase evolution. The Elongation Factor-Tu GTPase anticodon-codon latch that checks the accuracy of translation appears to have evolved at about the eight amino acid to ~16 amino acid stage. Before evolution of the EF-Tu latch, we posit that both the 1st and 3rd anticodon positions were wobble positions. The genetic code evolved via tRNA charging errors and via enzymatic modifications of amino acids joined to tRNAs, followed by tRNA and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase differentiation. Fidelity mechanisms froze the code by inhibiting further innovation.
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31
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Ayyub SA, Gao F, Lightowlers RN, Chrzanowska-Lightowlers ZM. Rescuing stalled mammalian mitoribosomes - what can we learn from bacteria? J Cell Sci 2020; 133:133/1/jcs231811. [PMID: 31896602 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.231811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the canonical process of translation, newly completed proteins escape from the ribosome following cleavage of the ester bond that anchors the polypeptide to the P-site tRNA, after which the ribosome can be recycled to initiate a new round of translation. Not all protein synthesis runs to completion as various factors can impede the progression of ribosomes. Rescuing of stalled ribosomes in mammalian mitochondria, however, does not share the same mechanisms that many bacteria use. The classic method for rescuing bacterial ribosomes is trans-translation. The key components of this system are absent from mammalian mitochondria; however, four members of a translation termination factor family are present, with some evidence of homology to members of a bacterial back-up rescue system. To date, there is no definitive demonstration of any other member of this family functioning in mitoribosome rescue. Here, we provide an overview of the processes and key players of canonical translation termination in both bacteria and mammalian mitochondria, followed by a perspective of the bacterial systems used to rescue stalled ribosomes. We highlight any similarities or differences with the mitochondrial translation release factors, and suggest potential roles for these proteins in ribosome rescue in mammalian mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Ahana Ayyub
- The Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Newcastle University, The Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Fei Gao
- The Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Newcastle University, The Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Robert N Lightowlers
- The Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Newcastle University, The Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Zofia M Chrzanowska-Lightowlers
- The Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Newcastle University, The Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
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32
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Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases in Bacteria: Active Site, Structure, Function and Application. CRYSTALS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst9110597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Carboxylic ester hydrolases (CEHs), which catalyze the hydrolysis of carboxylic esters to produce alcohol and acid, are identified in three domains of life. In the Protein Data Bank (PDB), 136 crystal structures of bacterial CEHs (424 PDB codes) from 52 genera and metagenome have been reported. In this review, we categorize these structures based on catalytic machinery, structure and substrate specificity to provide a comprehensive understanding of the bacterial CEHs. CEHs use Ser, Asp or water as a nucleophile to drive diverse catalytic machinery. The α/β/α sandwich architecture is most frequently found in CEHs, but 3-solenoid, β-barrel, up-down bundle, α/β/β/α 4-layer sandwich, 6 or 7 propeller and α/β barrel architectures are also found in these CEHs. Most are substrate-specific to various esters with types of head group and lengths of the acyl chain, but some CEHs exhibit peptidase or lactamase activities. CEHs are widely used in industrial applications, and are the objects of research in structure- or mutation-based protein engineering. Structural studies of CEHs are still necessary for understanding their biological roles, identifying their structure-based functions and structure-based engineering and their potential industrial applications.
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