Structural basis for double-sieve discrimination of L-valine from L-isoleucine and L-threonine by the complex of tRNA(Val) and valyl-tRNA synthetase

Repurposing DrugBank compounds as potential Plasmodium falciparum class 1a aminoacyl tRNA synthetase multi-stage pan-inhibitors with a specific focus on mitomycin

Plasmodium falciparum aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (PfaaRSs) are potent antimalarial targets essential for proteome fidelity and overall parasite survival in every stage of the parasite's life cycle. So far, some of these proteins have been singly targeted yielding inhibitor compounds that have been limited by incidences of resistance which can be overcome via pan-inhibition strategies. Hence, herein, for the first time, we report the identification and in vitro antiplasmodial validation of Mitomycin (MMC) as a probable pan-inhibitor of class 1a (arginyl(A)-, cysteinyl(C), isoleucyl(I)-, leucyl(L), methionyl(M), and valyl(V)-) PfaaRSs which hypothetically may underlie its previously reported activity on the ribosomal RNA to inhibit protein translation and biosynthesis. We combined multiple in silico structure-based discovery strategies that first helped identify functional and druggable sites that were preferentially targeted by the compound in each of the plasmodial proteins: Ins1-Ins2 domain in Pf-ARS; anticodon binding domain in Pf-CRS; CP1-editing domain in Pf-IRS and Pf-MRS; C-terminal domain in Pf-LRS; and CP-core region in Pf-VRS. Molecular dynamics studies further revealed that MMC allosterically induced changes in the global structures of each protein. Likewise, prominent structural perturbations were caused by the compound across the functional domains of the proteins. More so, MMC induced systematic alterations in the binding of the catalytic nucleotide and amino acid substrates which culminated in the loss of key interactions with key active site residues and ultimate reduction in the nucleotide-binding affinities across all proteins, as deduced from the binding energy calculations. These altogether confirmed that MMC uniformly disrupted the structure of the target proteins and essential substrates. Further, MMC demonstrated IC50 < 5 μM against the Dd2 and 3D7 strains of parasite making it a good starting point for malarial drug development. We believe that findings from our study will be important in the current search for highly effective multi-stage antimalarial drugs.

Order of amino acid recruitment into the genetic code resolved by Last Universal Common Ancestor's protein domains

The current "consensus" order in which amino acids were added to the genetic code is based on potentially biased criteria such as absence of sulfur-containing amino acids from the Urey-Miller experiment in which no sulfur was added. Here, we reassess this order by exploiting the fact that proteins that emerged prior to the genetic code's completion are likely enriched in early amino acids and depleted in late amino acids. We identify the most ancient protein-coding sequences born prior to the archaeal-bacterial split. Amino acid usage in protein sequences whose ancestors date back to a single homolog in the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) largely matches the consensus order. However, our findings indicate that metal-binding (cysteine and histidine) and sulfur-containing (cysteine and methionine) amino acids were added to the genetic code much earlier than previously thought. Surprisingly, even more ancient protein sequences - those that had already diversified into multiple distinct copies in LUCA - show a different pattern to single copy LUCA sequences: significantly less depleted in the late amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine, and enriched rather than depleted in phenylalanine. This is compatible with at least some of these sequences predating the current genetic code. Their distinct enrichment patterns thus provide hints about earlier, alternative genetic codes.

Structural basis for substrate and antibiotic recognition by Helicobacter pylori isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase

Helicobacter pylori infection is a global health concern, affecting over half of the world's population. Acquiring structural information on pharmacological targets is crucial to facilitate inhibitor design. Here, we have determined the crystal structures of H. pylori isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (HpIleRS) in apo form as well as in complex with various substrates (Ile, Ile-AMP, Val, and Val-AMP) or an inhibitor (mupirocin). Our results provide valuable insights into substrate specificity, recognition, and the mechanism by which HpIleRS is inhibited by an antibiotic. Moreover, we identified Asp641 as a prospective regulatory site and conducted biochemical analyses to investigate its regulatory mechanism. The detailed structural information acquired from this research holds promise for the development of highly selective and effective inhibitors against H. pylori infection.

Recognition of the tRNA structure: Everything everywhere but not all at once

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.

Gly56 in the synthetic site of isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase confers specificity and maintains communication with the editing site

Isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS) links isoleucine to cognate tRNA via the Ile-AMP intermediate. Non-cognate valine is often mistakenly recognized as the IleRS substrate; therefore, to maintain the accuracy of translation, IleRS hydrolyzes Val-AMP within the synthetic site (pre-transfer editing). As this activity is not efficient enough, Val-tRNAIle is formed and hydrolyzed in the distant post-transfer editing site. A strictly conserved synthetic site residue Gly56 was previously shown to safeguard Ile-to-Val discrimination during aminoacyl (aa)-AMP formation. Here, we show that the Gly56Ala variant lost its specificity in pre-transfer editing, confirming that this residue ensures the selectivity of all synthetic site reactions. Moreover, we found that the Gly56Ala mutation affects IleRS interaction with aa-tRNA likely by disturbing tRNA-dependent communication between the two active sites.

The binding mode of orphan glycyl-tRNA synthetase with tRNA supports the synthetase classification and reveals large domain movements

As a class of essential enzymes in protein translation, aminoacyl-transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetases (aaRSs) are organized into two classes of 10 enzymes each, based on two conserved active site architectures. The (αβ)₂ glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) in many bacteria is an orphan aaRS whose sequence and unprecedented X-shaped structure are distinct from those of all other aaRSs, including many other bacterial and all eukaryotic GlyRSs. Here, we report a cocrystal structure to elucidate how the orphan GlyRS kingdom specifically recognizes its substrate tRNA. This structure is sharply different from those of other aaRS-tRNA complexes but conforms to the clash-free, cross-class aaRS-tRNA docking found with conventional structures and reinforces the class-reconstruction paradigm. In addition, noteworthy, the X shape of orphan GlyRS is condensed with the largest known spatial rearrangement needed by aaRSs to capture tRNAs, which suggests potential nonactive site targets for aaRS-directed antibiotics, instead of less differentiated hard-to-drug active site locations.

Chiral proofreading during protein biosynthesis and its evolutionary implications

Homochirality of biomacromolecules is a prerequisite for their proper functioning and hence essential for all life forms. This underscores the role of cellular chiral checkpoints in enforcing homochirality during protein biosynthesis. D-aminoacyl-tRNA deacylase (DTD) is an enzyme that performs 'Chirality-based proofreading' to remove D-amino acids mistakenly attached to tRNAs, thus recycling them for further rounds of translation. Paradoxically, owing to its L-chiral rejection mode of action, DTD can remove glycine as well, which is an achiral amino acid. However, this activity is modulated by discriminator base (N73) in tRNA, a unique element that protects the cognate Gly-tRNA^Gly . Here, we review our recent work showing various aspects of DTD and tRNA^Gly co-evolution and its key role in maintaining proper translation surveillance in both bacteria and eukaryotes. Moreover, we also discuss two major optimization events on DTD and tRNA that resolved compatibility issues among the archaeal and the bacterial translation apparatuses. Importantly, such optimizations are necessary for the emergence of mitochondria and successful eukaryogenesis.

Personalized Medicine in Mitochondrial Health and Disease: Molecular Basis of Therapeutic Approaches Based on Nutritional Supplements and Their Analogs

Mitochondrial diseases (MDs) may result from mutations affecting nuclear or mitochondrial genes, encoding mitochondrial proteins, or non-protein-coding mitochondrial RNA. Despite the great variability of affected genes, in the most severe cases, a neuromuscular and neurodegenerative phenotype is observed, and no specific therapy exists for a complete recovery from the disease. The most used treatments are symptomatic and based on the administration of antioxidant cocktails combined with antiepileptic/antipsychotic drugs and supportive therapy for multiorgan involvement. Nevertheless, the real utility of antioxidant cocktail treatments for patients affected by MDs still needs to be scientifically demonstrated. Unfortunately, clinical trials for antioxidant therapies using α-tocopherol, ascorbate, glutathione, riboflavin, niacin, acetyl-carnitine and coenzyme Q have met a limited success. Indeed, it would be expected that the employed antioxidants can only be effective if they are able to target the specific mechanism, i.e., involving the central and peripheral nervous system, responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease. Noteworthily, very often the phenotypes characterizing MD patients are associated with mutations in proteins whose function does not depend on specific cofactors. Conversely, the administration of the antioxidant cocktails might determine the suppression of endogenous oxidants resulting in deleterious effects on cell viability and/or toxicity for patients. In order to avoid toxicity effects and before administering the antioxidant therapy, it might be useful to ascertain the blood serum levels of antioxidants and cofactors to be administered in MD patients. It would be also worthwhile to check the localization of mutations affecting proteins whose function should depend (less or more directly) on the cofactors to be administered, for estimating the real need and predicting the success of the proposed cofactor/antioxidant-based therapy.

Improvement of substrate recognition in branched-chain aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from Escherichia coli under conditions of pyrophosphate amplification

Isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS), leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS), and valyl-tRNA synthetase (ValRS) are enzymes that have potential for the determination of l-isoleucine, l-leucine, and l-valine in food products and plasma. However, the disadvantages of these enzymes are their specificity and sensitivity. Here, we examined the substrate specificity of IleRS, LeuRS, and ValRS under various conditions of pyrophosphate amplification to improve their specificity and sensitivity. The amount of pyrophosphate produced in IleRS, LeuRS, and ValRS reactions was amplified after the addition of excess adenosine-5'-triphosphate and magnesium ions, and was approximately 9-, 8-, and 7-fold higher, respectively, for each of the initial l-amino acid substrates (50 μM). However, in addition to their target amino acids, IleRS, LeuRS, and ValRS also reacted with l-valine, l-lysine, and l-threonine, respectively. This substrate misrecognition was overcome by making the reaction pH more acidic and by increasing the magnesium ion concentration. The pyrophosphate amplification in IleRS, LeuRS, and ValRS reactions resulted in the production of p¹, p⁴-di (adenosine) 5'-tetraphosphate. We also observed a strong positive correlation (R = 0.99) between the amount of pyrophosphate produced and the initial concentration of l-amino acid with 5 and 50 μM l-isoleucine, l-leucine, and l-valine. Our results suggest that amino acid assays using IleRS, LeuRS, and ValRS are promising methods to accurately measure l-valine, l-isoleucine, and l-leucine in food products and plasma.

Oxidation alters the architecture of the phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase editing domain to confer hyperaccuracy

High fidelity during protein synthesis is accomplished by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs). These enzymes ligate an amino acid to a cognate tRNA and have proofreading and editing capabilities that ensure high fidelity. Phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (PheRS) preferentially ligates a phenylalanine to a tRNA^Phe over the chemically similar tyrosine, which differs from phenylalanine by a single hydroxyl group. In bacteria that undergo exposure to oxidative stress such as Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, tyrosine isomer levels increase due to phenylalanine oxidation. Several residues are oxidized in PheRS and contribute to hyperactive editing, including against mischarged Tyr-tRNA^Phe, despite these oxidized residues not being directly implicated in PheRS activity. Here, we solve a 3.6 Å cryo-electron microscopy structure of oxidized S. Typhimurium PheRS. We find that oxidation results in widespread structural rearrangements in the β-subunit editing domain and enlargement of its editing domain. Oxidization also enlarges the phenylalanyl-adenylate binding pocket but to a lesser extent. Together, these changes likely explain why oxidation leads to hyperaccurate editing and decreased misincorporation of tyrosine. Taken together, these results help increase our understanding of the survival of S. Typhimurium during human infection.

HIV-1 matrix-tRNA complex structure reveals basis for host control of Gag localization

The HIV-1 virion structural polyprotein, Gag, is directed to particle assembly sites at the plasma membrane by its N-terminal matrix (MA) domain. MA also binds to host tRNAs. To understand the molecular basis of MA-tRNA interaction and its potential function, we present a co-crystal structure of HIV-1 MA-tRNALys3 complex. The structure reveals a specialized group of MA basic and aromatic residues preconfigured to recognize the distinctive structure of the tRNA elbow. Mutational, cross-linking, fluorescence, and NMR analyses show that the crystallographically defined interface drives MA-tRNA binding in solution and living cells. The structure indicates that MA is unlikely to bind tRNA and membrane simultaneously. Accordingly, single-amino-acid substitutions that abolish MA-tRNA binding caused striking redistribution of Gag to the plasma membrane and reduced HIV-1 replication. Thus, HIV-1 exploits host tRNAs to occlude a membrane localization signal and control the subcellular distribution of its major structural protein.

An expanded class of histidine-accepting viral tRNA-like structures

Structured RNA elements are common in the genomes of RNA viruses, often playing critical roles during viral infection. Some viral RNA elements use forms of tRNA mimicry, but the diverse ways this mimicry can be achieved are poorly understood. Histidine-accepting tRNA-like structures (TLS^His) are examples found at the 3' termini of some positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) viruses where they interact with several host proteins, induce histidylation of the RNA genome, and facilitate processes important for infection, to include genome replication. As only five TLS^His examples had been reported, we explored the possible larger phylogenetic distribution and diversity of this TLS class using bioinformatic approaches. We identified many new examples of TLS^His, yielding a rigorous consensus sequence and secondary structure model that we validated by chemical probing of representative TLS^His RNAs. We confirmed new examples as authentic TLS^His by demonstrating their ability to be histidylated in vitro, then used mutational analyses to imply a tertiary interaction that is likely analogous to the D- and T-loop interaction found in canonical tRNAs. These results expand our understanding of how diverse RNA sequences achieve tRNA-like structure and function in the context of viral RNA genomes and lay the groundwork for high-resolution structural studies of tRNA mimicry by histidine-accepting TLSs.

Inhibitory mechanism of reveromycin A at the tRNA binding site of a class I synthetase

The polyketide natural product reveromycin A (RM-A) exhibits antifungal, anticancer, anti-bone metastasis, anti-periodontitis and anti-osteoporosis activities by selectively inhibiting eukaryotic cytoplasmic isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS). Herein, a co-crystal structure suggests that the RM-A molecule occupies the substrate tRNA^Ile binding site of Saccharomyces cerevisiae IleRS (ScIleRS), by partially mimicking the binding of tRNA^Ile. RM-A binding is facilitated by the copurified intermediate product isoleucyl-adenylate (Ile-AMP). The binding assays confirm that RM-A competes with tRNA^Ile while binding synergistically with L-isoleucine or intermediate analogue Ile-AMS to the aminoacylation pocket of ScIleRS. This study highlights that the vast tRNA binding site of the Rossmann-fold catalytic domain of class I aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases could be targeted by a small molecule. This finding will inform future rational drug design.

Structural diversity and phylogenetic distribution of valyl tRNA-like structures in viruses

Viruses commonly use specifically folded RNA elements that interact with both host and viral proteins to perform functions important for diverse viral processes. Examples are found at the 3' termini of certain positive-sense ssRNA virus genomes where they partially mimic tRNAs, including being aminoacylated by host cell enzymes. Valine-accepting tRNA-like structures (TLS^Val) are an example that share some clear homology with canonical tRNAs but have several important structural differences. Although many examples of TLS^Val have been identified, we lacked a full understanding of their structural diversity and phylogenetic distribution. To address this, we undertook an in-depth bioinformatic and biochemical investigation of these RNAs, guided by recent high-resolution structures of a TLS^Val We cataloged many new examples in plant-infecting viruses but also in unrelated insect-specific viruses. Using biochemical and structural approaches, we verified the secondary structure of representative TLS^Val substrates and tested their ability to be valylated, confirming previous observations of structural heterogeneity within this class. In a few cases, large stem-loop structures are inserted within variable regions located in an area of the TLS distal to known host cell factor binding sites. In addition, we identified one virus whose TLS has switched its anticodon away from valine, causing a loss of valylation activity; the implications of this remain unclear. These results refine our understanding of the structural and functional mechanistic details of tRNA mimicry and how this may be used in viral infection.

The Thermus thermophilus DEAD-box protein Hera is a general RNA binding protein and plays a key role in tRNA metabolism

RNA helicases catalyze the ATP-dependent destabilization of RNA duplexes. DEAD-box helicases share a helicase core that mediates ATP binding and hydrolysis, RNA binding and unwinding. Most members of this family contain domains flanking the core that can confer RNA substrate specificity and guide the helicase to a specific RNA. However, the in vivo RNA substrates of most helicases are currently not defined. The DEAD-box helicase Hera from Thermus thermophilus contains a helicase core, followed by a dimerization domain and an RNA binding domain that folds into an RNA recognition motif (RRM). The RRM mediates high affinity binding to an RNA hairpin, and an adjacent duplex is then unwound by the helicase core. Hera is a cold-shock protein, and has been suggested to act as an RNA chaperone under cold-shock conditions. Using crosslinking immunoprecipitation of Hera/RNA complexes and sequencing, we show that Hera binds to a large fraction of T. thermophilus RNAs under normal-growth and cold-shock conditions without a strong sequence preference, in agreement with a structure-specific recognition of RNAs and a general function in RNA metabolism. Under cold-shock conditions, Hera is recruited to RNAs with high propensities to form stable secondary structures. We show that selected RNAs identified, including a set of tRNAs, bind to Hera in vitro, and activate the Hera helicase core. Gene ontology analysis reveals an enrichment of genes related to translation, including mRNAs of ribosomal proteins, tRNAs, tRNA ligases, and tRNA-modifying enzymes, consistent with a key role of Hera in ribosome and tRNA metabolism.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases

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.

The structural basis of the genetic code: amino acid recognition by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases

Storage and directed transfer of information is the key requirement for the development of life. Yet any information stored on our genes is useless without its correct interpretation. The genetic code defines the rule set to decode this information. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are at the heart of this process. We extensively characterize how these enzymes distinguish all natural amino acids based on the computational analysis of crystallographic structure data. The results of this meta-analysis show that the correct read-out of genetic information is a delicate interplay between the composition of the binding site, non-covalent interactions, error correction mechanisms, and steric effects.

Structural Basis for the Antibiotic Resistance of Eukaryotic Isoleucyl-tRNA Synthetase

Pathogenic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are attractive targets for anti-infective agents because their catalytic active sites are different from those of human ARSs. Mupirocin is a topical antibiotic that specifically inhibits bacterial isoleucy-ltRNA synthetase (IleRS), resulting in a block to protein synthesis. Previous studies on Thermus thermophilus IleRS indicated that mupirocin-resistance of eukaryotic IleRS is primarily due to differences in two amino acids, His581 and Leu583, in the active site. However, without a eukaryotic IleRS structure, the structural basis for mupirocin-resistance of eukaryotic IleRS remains elusive. Herein, we determined the crystal structure of Candida albicans IleRS complexed with Ile-AMP at 2.9 Å resolution. The largest difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic IleRS enzymes is closure of the active site pocket by Phe55 in the HIGH loop; Arg410 in the CP core loop; and the second Lys in the KMSKR loop. The Ile-AMP product is lodged in a closed active site, which may restrict its release and thereby enhance catalytic efficiency. The compact active site also prevents the optimal positioning of the 9-hydroxynonanoic acid of mupirocin and plays a critical role in resistance of eukaryotic IleRS to anti-infective agents.

How evolution shapes enzyme selectivity - lessons from aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and other amino acid utilizing enzymes

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) charge tRNA with their cognate amino acids. Many other enzymes use amino acids as substrates, yet discrimination against noncognate amino acids that threaten the accuracy of protein translation is a hallmark of AARSs. Comparing AARSs to these other enzymes allowed us to recognize patterns in molecular recognition and strategies used by evolution for exercising selectivity. Overall, AARSs are 2-3 orders of magnitude more selective than most other amino acid utilizing enzymes. AARSs also reveal the physicochemical limits of molecular discrimination. For example, amino acids smaller by a single methyl moiety present a discrimination ceiling of ~200, while larger ones can be discriminated by up to 10⁵ -fold. In contrast, substrates larger by a hydroxyl group challenge AARS selectivity, due to promiscuous H-bonding with polar active site groups. This 'hydroxyl paradox' is resolved by editing. Indeed, when the physicochemical discrimination limits are reached, post-transfer editing - hydrolysis of tRNAs charged with noncognate amino acids, evolved. The editing site often selectively recognizes the edited noncognate substrate using the very same feature that the synthetic site could not efficiently discriminate against. Finally, the comparison to other enzymes also reveals that the selectivity of AARSs is an explicitly evolved trait, showing some clear examples of how selection acted not only to optimize catalytic efficiency with the target substrate, but also to abolish activity with noncognate threat substrates ('negative selection').

A combination of two novel VARS2 variants causes a mitochondrial disorder associated with failure to thrive and pulmonary hypertension

The VARS2 gene encodes a mitochondrial valyl-transfer RNA synthetase which is used in mitochondrial translation. To date, several patients with VARS2 pathogenic variants have been described in the literature. These patients have features of lactic acidosis with encephalomyopathy. We present a case of an infant with lactic acidosis, failure to thrive, and severe primary pulmonary hypertension who was found to be a compound heterozygote for two novel VARS2 variants (c.1940C>T, p.(Thr647Met) and c.2318G>A, p.(Arg773Gln)). The patient was treated with vitamin supplements and a carbohydrate-restricted diet. The lactic acidosis and failure to thrive resolved, and he showed good growth and development. Functional studies and molecular analysis employed a yeast model system and the VAS1 gene (yeast homolog of VARS2). VAS1 genes harboring either one of two mutations corresponding to the two novel variants in the VARS2 gene, exhibited partially reduced function in haploid yeast strains. A combination of both VAS1 variant alleles in a diploid yeast cell exhibited a more significant decrease in oxidative metabolism-dependent growth and in the oxygen consumption rate (reminiscent of the patient who carries two mutant VARS2 alleles). Our results demonstrate the pathogenicity of the biallellic novel VARS2 variants. KEY MESSAGES: • A case of an infant who is a compound heterozygote for two novel VARS2 variants. • This infant displayed lactic acidosis, failure to thrive, and pulmonary hypertension. • Treatment of the patient with a carbohydrate-restricted diet resulted in good growth and development. • Studies with the homologous yeast VAS1 gene showed reduced function of corresponding single mutant in haploid yeast strains. • A combination of both VAS1 variant alleles in diploid yeast exhibited a more significant decrease in function, thereby confirming the pathogenicity of the biallellic novel VARS2 variants.

Solution NMR structure of CGL2373, a polyketide cyclase-like protein from Corynebacterium glutamicum

Protein CGL2373 from Corynebacterium glutamicum was previously proposed to be a member of the polyketide_cyc2 family, based on amino-acid sequence and secondary structure features derived from NMR chemical shift assignments. We report here the solution NMR structure of CGL2373, which contains three α-helices and one antiparallel β-sheet and adopts a helix-grip fold. This structure shows moderate similarities to the representative polyketide cyclases, TcmN, WhiE, and ZhuI. Nevertheless, unlike the structures of these homologs, CGL2373 structure looks like a half-open shell with a much larger pocket, and key residues in the representative polyketide cyclases for binding substrate and catalyzing aromatic ring formation are replaced with different residues in CGL2373. Also, the gene cluster where the CGL2373-encoding gene is located in C. glutamicum contains additional genes encoding nucleoside diphosphate kinase, folylpolyglutamate synthase, and valine-tRNA ligase, different from the typical gene cluster encoding polyketide cyclase in Streptomyces. Thus, although CGL2373 is structurally a polyketide cyclase-like protein, the function of CGL2373 may differ from the known polyketide cyclases and needs to be further investigated. The solution structure of CGL2373 lays a foundation for in silico ligand screening and binding site identifying in future functional study.

Targeting adenylate-forming enzymes with designed sulfonyladenosine inhibitors

Adenylate-forming enzymes are a mechanistic superfamily that are involved in diverse biochemical pathways. They catalyze ATP-dependent activation of carboxylic acid substrates as reactive acyl adenylate (acyl-AMP) intermediates and subsequent coupling to various nucleophiles to generate ester, thioester, and amide products. Inspired by natural products, acyl sulfonyladenosines (acyl-AMS) that mimic the tightly bound acyl-AMP reaction intermediates have been developed as potent inhibitors of adenylate-forming enzymes. This simple yet powerful inhibitor design platform has provided a wide range of biological probes as well as several therapeutic lead compounds. Herein, we provide an overview of the nine structural classes of adenylate-forming enzymes and examples of acyl-AMS inhibitors that have been developed for each.

Biallelic mutations in valyl-tRNA synthetase gene VARS are associated with a progressive neurodevelopmental epileptic encephalopathy

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) function to transfer amino acids to cognate tRNA molecules, which are required for protein translation. To date, biallelic mutations in 31 ARS genes are known to cause recessive, early-onset severe multi-organ diseases. VARS encodes the only known valine cytoplasmic-localized aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. Here, we report seven patients from five unrelated families with five different biallelic missense variants in VARS. Subjects present with a range of global developmental delay, epileptic encephalopathy and primary or progressive microcephaly. Longitudinal assessment demonstrates progressive cortical atrophy and white matter volume loss. Variants map to the VARS tRNA binding domain and adjacent to the anticodon domain, and disrupt highly conserved residues. Patient primary cells show intact VARS protein but reduced enzymatic activity, suggesting partial loss of function. The implication of VARS in pediatric neurodegeneration broadens the spectrum of human diseases due to mutations in tRNA synthetase genes.

Biallelic VARS variants cause developmental encephalopathy with microcephaly that is recapitulated in vars knockout zebrafish

Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (ARSs) link specific amino acids with their cognate transfer RNAs in a critical early step of protein translation. Mutations in ARSs have emerged as a cause of recessive, often complex neurological disease traits. Here we report an allelic series consisting of seven novel and two previously reported biallelic variants in valyl-tRNA synthetase (VARS) in ten patients with a developmental encephalopathy with microcephaly, often associated with early-onset epilepsy. In silico, in vitro, and yeast complementation assays demonstrate that the underlying pathomechanism of these mutations is most likely a loss of protein function. Zebrafish modeling accurately recapitulated some of the key neurological disease traits. These results provide both genetic and biological insights into neurodevelopmental disease and pave the way for further in-depth research on ARS related recessive disorders and precision therapies.

tRNAs are linked with their cognate amino acid by aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (ARS). Here, the authors report a developmental encephalopathy associated with biallelic VARS variants (valyl-tRNA synthetase) that lead to loss of function, as determined by several in vitro assays and a vars knockout zebrafish model.

A molecular dynamics simulation study of amino acid selectivity of LeuRS editing domain from Thermus thermophilus

The accuracy of protein synthesis is provided by the editing functions of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), a mechanism that eliminates misactivated amino acids or mischarged tRNAs. Despite research efforts, some molecular bases of these mechanisms are still unclear. The post-transfer editing pathway of leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS) carried out in a special insertion domain (the Connective Polypeptide 1 or CP1), as editing domain. Recently, it was shown by in vivo studies and was supported by mutagenesis, and the kinetics approaches that the CP1 domain of LeuRS has discriminatory power for different substrates. The goal of this work is to investigate the structural basis for amino acid recognition of LeuRS post-transfer editing processes with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. To pursue this aim, the molecular modeling studies on Thermus thermophiles LeuRS (LeuRSTT) with two post-transfer substrates (norvalyl-tRNA^Leu and isoleucyl-tRNA^Leu) was performed. Our results revealed that post-transfer substrate norvalyl-tRNA^Leu is more favorable. Moreover, the MD simulations show that branched side chain of Ile-A76 cannot allow water molecules to get close, which leads to a significant decrease in the rate of hydrolysis. Finally, the study showed that site mutation Asp347Ala has elucidated a number of fine structural differences in the binding mode of two post-transfer substrates to the active centre of LeuRS editing domain and two conserved threonines, namely Thr247 and Thr248, are responsible for the amino acid selection through the interaction with substrates.

Error-prone protein synthesis in parasites with the smallest eukaryotic genome

Microsporidia are parasitic fungi-like organisms that invade the interior of living cells and cause chronic disorders in a broad range of animals, including humans. These pathogens have the tiniest known genomes among eukaryotic species, for which they serve as a model for exploring the phenomenon of genome reduction in obligate intracellular parasites. Here we report a case study to show an apparent effect of overall genome reduction on the primary structure and activity of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, indispensable cellular proteins required for protein synthesis. We find that most microsporidian synthetases lack regulatory and eukaryote-specific appended domains and have a high degree of sequence variability in tRNA-binding and catalytic domains. In one synthetase, LeuRS, an apparent sequence degeneration annihilates the editing domain, a catalytic center responsible for the accurate selection of leucine for protein synthesis. Unlike accurate LeuRS synthetases from other eukaryotic species, microsporidian LeuRS is error-prone: apart from leucine, it occasionally uses its near-cognate substrates, such as norvaline, isoleucine, valine, and methionine. Mass spectrometry analysis of the microsporidium Vavraia culicis proteome reveals that nearly 6% of leucine residues are erroneously replaced by other amino acids. This remarkably high frequency of mistranslation is not limited to leucine codons and appears to be a general property of protein synthesis in microsporidian parasites. Taken together, our findings reveal that the microsporidian protein synthesis machinery is editing-deficient, and that the proteome of microsporidian parasites is more diverse than would be anticipated based on their genome sequences.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase evolution and sectoring of the genetic code

The genetic code sectored via tRNA charging errors, and the code progressed toward closure and universality because of evolution of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) fidelity and translational fidelity mechanisms. Class I and class II aaRS folds are identified as homologs. From sequence alignments, a structurally conserved Zn-binding domain common to class I and class II aaRS was identified. A model for the class I and class II aaRS alternate folding pathways is posited. Five mechanisms toward code closure are highlighted: 1) aaRS proofreading to remove mischarged amino acids from tRNA; 2) accurate aaRS active site specification of amino acid substrates; 3) aaRS-tRNA anticodon recognition; 4) conformational coupling proofreading of the anticodon-codon interaction; and 5) deamination of tRNA wobble adenine to inosine. In tRNA anticodons there is strong wobble sequence preference that results in a broader spectrum of contacts to synonymous mRNA codon wobble bases. Adenine is excluded from the anticodon wobble position of tRNA unless it is modified to inosine. Uracil is generally preferred to cytosine in the tRNA anticodon wobble position. Because of wobble ambiguity when tRNA reads mRNA, the maximal coding capacity of the three nucleotide code read by tRNA is 31 amino acids + stops.

11th IUBMB Focused Meeting on the Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases: Sailing a New Sea of Complex Functions in Human Biology and Disease

The 11th IUBMB Focused Meeting on Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases was held in Clearwater Beach, Florida from 29 October–2 November 2017, with the aim of presenting the latest research on these enzymes and promoting interchange among aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) researchers. Topics covered in the meeting included many areas of investigation, including ARS evolution, mechanism, editing functions, biology in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and their organelles, their roles in human diseases, and their application to problems in emerging areas of synthetic biology. In this report, we provide a summary of the major themes of the meeting, citing contributions from the oral presentations in the meeting.

Loss of function mutations in VARS encoding cytoplasmic valyl-tRNA synthetase cause microcephaly, seizures, and progressive cerebral atrophy

Progressive microcephaly and neurodegeneration are genetically heterogenous conditions, largely associated with genes that are essential for the survival of neurons. In this study, we interrogate the genetic etiology of two siblings from a non-consanguineous family with severe early onset of neurological manifestations. Whole exome sequencing identified novel compound heterozygous mutations in VARS that segregated with the proband: a missense (c.3192G>A; p.Met1064Ile) and a splice site mutation (c.1577-2A>G). The VARS gene encodes cytoplasmic valyl-tRNA synthetase (ValRS), an enzyme that is essential during eukaryotic translation. cDNA analysis on patient derived fibroblasts revealed that the splice site acceptor variant allele led to nonsense mediated decay, thus resulting in a null allele. Three-dimensional modeling of ValRS predicts that the missense mutation lies in a highly conserved region and could alter side chain packing, thus affecting tRNA binding or destabilizing the interface between the catalytic and tRNA binding domains. Further quantitation of the expression of VARS showed remarkably reduced levels of mRNA and protein in skin derived fibroblasts. Aminoacylation experiments on patient derived cells showed markedly reduced enzyme activity of ValRS suggesting the mutations to be loss of function. Bi-allelic mutations in cytoplasmic amino acyl tRNA synthetases are well-known for their role in neurodegenerative disorders, yet human disorders associated with VARS mutations have not yet been clinically well characterized. Our study describes the phenotype associated with recessive VARS mutations and further functional delineation of the pathogenicity of novel variants identified, which widens the clinical and genetic spectrum of patients with progressive microcephaly.

A chiral selectivity relaxed paralog of DTD for proofreading tRNA mischarging in Animalia

D-aminoacyl-tRNA deacylase (DTD), a bacterial/eukaryotic trans-editing factor, removes D-amino acids mischarged on tRNAs and achiral glycine mischarged on tRNA^Ala. An invariant cross-subunit Gly-cisPro motif forms the mechanistic basis of L-amino acid rejection from the catalytic site. Here, we present the identification of a DTD variant, named ATD (Animalia-specific tRNA deacylase), that harbors a Gly-transPro motif. The cis-to-trans switch causes a "gain of function" through L-chiral selectivity in ATD resulting in the clearing of L-alanine mischarged on tRNA^Thr(G4•U69) by eukaryotic AlaRS. The proofreading activity of ATD is conserved across diverse classes of phylum Chordata. Animalia genomes enriched in tRNA^Thr(G4•U69) genes are in strict association with the presence of ATD, underlining the mandatory requirement of a dedicated factor to proofread tRNA misaminoacylation. The study highlights the emergence of ATD during genome expansion as a key event associated with the evolution of Animalia.

Drugging tRNA aminoacylation

Inhibition of tRNA aminoacylation has proven to be an effective antimicrobial strategy, impeding an essential step of protein synthesis. Mupirocin, the well-known selective inhibitor of bacterial isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, is one of three aminoacylation inhibitors now approved for human or animal use. However, design of novel aminoacylation inhibitors is complicated by the steadfast requirement to avoid off-target inhibition of protein synthesis in human cells. Here we review available data regarding known aminoacylation inhibitors as well as key amino-acid residues in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) and nucleotides in tRNA that determine the specificity and strength of the aaRS-tRNA interaction. Unlike most ligand-protein interactions, the aaRS-tRNA recognition interaction represents coevolution of both the tRNA and aaRS structures to conserve the specificity of aminoacylation. This property means that many determinants of tRNA recognition in pathogens have diverged from those of humans-a phenomenon that provides a valuable source of data for antimicrobial drug development.

Self-protective responses to norvaline-induced stress in a leucyl-tRNA synthetase editing-deficient yeast strain

The editing function of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) is indispensible for formation of the correct aminoacyl-tRNAs. Editing deficiency may lead to growth inhibition and the pathogenesis of various diseases. Herein, we confirmed that norvaline (Nva) but not isoleucine or valine is the major threat to the editing function of Saccharomyces cerevisiae leucyl-tRNA synthetase (ScLeuRS), both in vitro and in vivo. Nva could be misincorporated into the proteome of the LeuRS editing-deficient yeast strain (D419A/ScΔleuS), potentially resulting in dysfunctional protein folding and growth delay. Furthermore, the exploration of the Nva-induced intracellular stress response mechanism in D419A/ScΔleuS revealed that Hsp70 chaperones were markedly upregulated in response to the potential protein misfolding. Additionally, proline (Pro), glutamate (Glu) and glutamine (Gln), which may accumulate due to the conversion of Nva, collectively contributed to the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in Nva-treated D419A/ScΔleuS cells. In conclusion, our study highlights the significance of the editing function of LeuRS and provides clues for understanding the intracellular stress protective mechanisms that are triggered in aaRS editing-deficient organisms.

Mechanistic Insights Into Catalytic RNA-Protein Complexes Involved in Translation of the Genetic Code

The contemporary world is an "RNA-protein world" rather than a "protein world" and tracing its evolutionary origins is of great interest and importance. The different RNAs that function in close collaboration with proteins are involved in several key physiological processes, including catalysis. Ribosome-the complex megadalton cellular machinery that translates genetic information encoded in nucleotide sequence to amino acid sequence-epitomizes such an association between RNA and protein. RNAs that can catalyze biochemical reactions are known as ribozymes. They usually employ general acid-base catalytic mechanism, often involving the 2'-OH of RNA that activates and/or stabilizes a nucleophile during the reaction pathway. The protein component of such RNA-protein complexes (RNPCs) mostly serves as a scaffold which provides an environment conducive for the RNA to function, or as a mediator for other interacting partners. In this review, we describe those RNPCs that are involved at different stages of protein biosynthesis and in which RNA performs the catalytic function; the focus of the account is on highlighting mechanistic aspects of these complexes. We also provide a perspective on such associations in the context of proofreading during translation of the genetic code. The latter aspect is not much appreciated and recent works suggest that this is an avenue worth exploring, since an understanding of the subject can provide useful insights into how RNAs collaborate with proteins to ensure fidelity during these essential cellular processes. It may also aid in comprehending evolutionary aspects of such associations.

Rewiring protein synthesis: From natural to synthetic amino acids

BACKGROUND

The protein synthesis machinery uses 22 natural amino acids as building blocks that faithfully decode the genetic information. Such fidelity is controlled at multiple steps and can be compromised in nature and in the laboratory to rewire protein synthesis with natural and synthetic amino acids.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes the major quality control mechanisms during protein synthesis, including aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, elongation factors, and the ribosome. We will discuss evolution and engineering of such components that allow incorporation of natural and synthetic amino acids at positions that deviate from the standard genetic code.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

The protein synthesis machinery is highly selective, yet not fixed, for the correct amino acids that match the mRNA codons. Ambiguous translation of a codon with multiple amino acids or complete reassignment of a codon with a synthetic amino acid diversifies the proteome.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Expanding the genetic code with synthetic amino acids through rewiring protein synthesis has broad applications in synthetic biology and chemical biology. Biochemical, structural, and genetic studies of the translational quality control mechanisms are not only crucial to understand the physiological role of translational fidelity and evolution of the genetic code, but also enable us to better design biological parts to expand the proteomes of synthetic organisms. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Biochemistry of Synthetic Biology - Recent Developments" Guest Editor: Dr. Ilka Heinemann and Dr. Patrick O'Donoghue.

Translational Quality Control by Bacterial Threonyl-tRNA Synthetases

Translational fidelity mediated by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases ensures the generation of the correct aminoacyl-tRNAs, which is critical for most species. Threonyl-tRNA synthetase (ThrRS) contains multiple domains, including an N2 editing domain. Of the ThrRS domains, N1 is the last to be assigned a function. Here, we found that ThrRSs from Mycoplasma species exhibit differences in their domain composition and editing active sites compared with the canonical ThrRSs. The Mycoplasma mobile ThrRS, the first example of a ThrRS naturally lacking the N1 domain, displays efficient post-transfer editing activity. In contrast, the Mycoplasma capricolum ThrRS, which harbors an N1 domain and a degenerate N2 domain, is editing-defective. Only editing-capable ThrRSs were able to support the growth of a yeast thrS deletion strain (ScΔthrS), thus suggesting that ScΔthrS is an excellent tool for studying the in vivo editing of introduced bacterial ThrRSs. On the basis of the presence or absence of an N1 domain, we further revealed the crucial importance of the only absolutely conserved residue within the N1 domain in regulating editing by mediating an N1-N2 domain interaction in Escherichia coli ThrRS. Our results reveal the translational quality control of various ThrRSs and the role of the N1 domain in translational fidelity.

Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases in the Bacterial World

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are modular enzymes globally conserved in the three kingdoms of life. All catalyze the same two-step reaction, i.e., the attachment of a proteinogenic amino acid on their cognate tRNAs, thereby mediating the correct expression of the genetic code. In addition, some aaRSs acquired other functions beyond this key role in translation. Genomics and X-ray crystallography have revealed great structural diversity in aaRSs (e.g., in oligomery and modularity, in ranking into two distinct groups each subdivided in 3 subgroups, by additional domains appended on the catalytic modules). AaRSs show huge structural plasticity related to function and limited idiosyncrasies that are kingdom or even species specific (e.g., the presence in many Bacteria of non discriminating aaRSs compensating for the absence of one or two specific aaRSs, notably AsnRS and/or GlnRS). Diversity, as well, occurs in the mechanisms of aaRS gene regulation that are not conserved in evolution, notably between distant groups such as Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria. The review focuses on bacterial aaRSs (and their paralogs) and covers their structure, function, regulation, and evolution. Structure/function relationships are emphasized, notably the enzymology of tRNA aminoacylation and the editing mechanisms for correction of activation and charging errors. The huge amount of genomic and structural data that accumulated in last two decades is reviewed, showing how the field moved from essentially reductionist biology towards more global and integrated approaches. Likewise, the alternative functions of aaRSs and those of aaRS paralogs (e.g., during cell wall biogenesis and other metabolic processes in or outside protein synthesis) are reviewed. Since aaRS phylogenies present promiscuous bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryal features, similarities and differences in the properties of aaRSs from the three kingdoms of life are pinpointed throughout the review and distinctive characteristics of bacterium-like synthetases from organelles are outlined.

Naturally Occurring Isoleucyl-tRNA Synthetase without tRNA-dependent Pre-transfer Editing

Isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS) is unusual among aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in having a tRNA-dependent pre-transfer editing activity. Alongside the typical bacterial IleRS (such as Escherichia coli IleRS), some bacteria also have the enzymes (eukaryote-like) that cluster with eukaryotic IleRSs and exhibit low sensitivity to the antibiotic mupirocin. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that the ileS1 and ileS2 genes of contemporary bacteria are the descendants of genes that might have arisen by an ancient duplication event before the separation of bacteria and archaea. We present the analysis of evolutionary constraints of the synthetic and editing reactions in eukaryotic/eukaryote-like IleRSs, which share a common origin but diverged through adaptation to different cell environments. The enzyme from the yeast cytosol exhibits tRNA-dependent pre-transfer editing analogous to E. coli IleRS. This argues for the presence of this proofreading in the common ancestor of both IleRS types and an ancient origin of the synthetic site-based quality control step. Yet surprisingly, the eukaryote-like enzyme from Streptomyces griseus IleRS lacks this capacity; at the same time, its synthetic site displays the 10³-fold drop in sensitivity to antibiotic mupirocin relative to the yeast enzyme. The discovery that pre-transfer editing is optional in IleRSs lends support to the notion that the conserved post-transfer editing domain is the main checkpoint in these enzymes. We substantiated this by showing that under error-prone conditions S. griseus IleRS is able to rescue the growth of an E. coli lacking functional IleRS, providing the first evidence that tRNA-dependent pre-transfer editing in IleRS is not essential for cell viability.

The tRNA Elbow in Structure, Recognition and Evolution

Prominent in the L-shaped three-dimensional structure of tRNAs is the "elbow" where their two orthogonal helical stacks meet. It has a conserved structure arising from the interaction of the terminal loops of the D- and T-stem-loops, and presents to solution a flat face of a tertiary base pair between the D- and T-loops. In addition to the ribosome, which interacts with the elbow in all three of its tRNA binding sites, several cellular RNAs and many proteins are known to recognize the elbow. At least three classes of non-coding RNAs, namely 23S rRNA, ribonuclease P, and the T-box riboswitches, recognize the tRNA elbow employing an identical structural motif consisting of two interdigitated T-loops. In contrast, structural solutions to tRNA-elbow recognition by proteins are varied. Some enzymes responsible for post-transcriptional tRNA modification even disrupt the elbow structure in order to access their substrate nucleotides. The evolutionary origin of the elbow is mysterious, but, because it does not explicitly participate in the flow of genetic information, it has been proposed to be a late innovation. Regardless, it is biologically essential. Even some viruses that hijack the cellular machinery using tRNA decoys have convergently evolved near-perfect mimics of the tRNA elbow.

Natural products and their derivatives as tRNA synthetase inhibitors and antimicrobial agents

The tRNA synthetase enzymes are promising targets for development of therapeutic agents against infections by parasitic protozoans (e.g. malaria), fungi and yeast, as well as bacteria resistant to current antibiotics.

Caenorhabditis elegans glp-4 Encodes a Valyl Aminoacyl tRNA Synthetase

Germline stem cell proliferation is necessary to populate the germline with sufficient numbers of cells for gametogenesis and for signaling the soma to control organismal properties such as aging. The Caenorhabditis elegans gene glp-4 was identified by the temperature-sensitive allele bn2 where mutants raised at the restrictive temperature produce adults that are essentially germ cell deficient, containing only a small number of stem cells arrested in the mitotic cycle but otherwise have a morphologically normal soma. We determined that glp-4 encodes a valyl aminoacyl transfer RNA synthetase (VARS-2) and that the probable null phenotype is early larval lethality. Phenotypic analysis indicates glp-4(bn2ts) is partial loss of function in the soma. Structural modeling suggests that bn2 Gly296Asp results in partial loss of function by a novel mechanism: aspartate 296 in the editing pocket induces inappropriate deacylation of correctly charged Val-tRNA(val). Intragenic suppressor mutations are predicted to displace aspartate 296 so that it is less able to catalyze inappropriate deacylation. Thus glp-4(bn2ts) likely causes reduced protein translation due to decreased levels of Val-tRNA(val). The germline, as a reproductive preservation mechanism during unfavorable conditions, signals the soma for organismal aging, stress and pathogen resistance. glp-4(bn2ts) mutants are widely used to generate germline deficient mutants for organismal studies, under the assumption that the soma is unaffected. As reduced translation has also been demonstrated to alter organismal properties, it is unclear whether changes in aging, stress resistance, etc. observed in glp-4(bn2ts) mutants are the result of germline deficiency or reduced translation.

Structural Basis for Specific Inhibition of tRNA Synthetase by an ATP Competitive Inhibitor

Pharmaceutical inhibitors of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases demand high species and family specificity. The antimalarial ATP-mimetic cladosporin selectively inhibits Plasmodium falciparum LysRS (PfLysRS). How the binding to a universal ATP site achieves the specificity is unknown. Here we report three crystal structures of cladosporin with human LysRS, PfLysRS, and a Pf-like human LysRS mutant. In all three structures, cladosporin occupies the class defining ATP-binding pocket, replacing the adenosine portion of ATP. Three residues holding the methyltetrahydropyran moiety of cladosporin are critical for the specificity of cladosporin against LysRS over other class II tRNA synthetase families. The species-exclusive inhibition of PfLysRS is linked to a structural divergence beyond the active site that mounts a lysine-specific stabilizing response to binding cladosporin. These analyses reveal that inherent divergence of tRNA synthetase structural assembly may allow for highly specific inhibition even through the otherwise universal substrate binding pocket and highlight the potential for structure-driven drug development.

RNA-Puzzles Round II: assessment of RNA structure prediction programs applied to three large RNA structures

This paper is a report of a second round of RNA-Puzzles, a collective and blind experiment in three-dimensional (3D) RNA structure prediction. Three puzzles, Puzzles 5, 6, and 10, represented sequences of three large RNA structures with limited or no homology with previously solved RNA molecules. A lariat-capping ribozyme, as well as riboswitches complexed to adenosylcobalamin and tRNA, were predicted by seven groups using RNAComposer, ModeRNA/SimRNA, Vfold, Rosetta, DMD, MC-Fold, 3dRNA, and AMBER refinement. Some groups derived models using data from state-of-the-art chemical-mapping methods (SHAPE, DMS, CMCT, and mutate-and-map). The comparisons between the predictions and the three subsequently released crystallographic structures, solved at diffraction resolutions of 2.5-3.2 Å, were carried out automatically using various sets of quality indicators. The comparisons clearly demonstrate the state of present-day de novo prediction abilities as well as the limitations of these state-of-the-art methods. All of the best prediction models have similar topologies to the native structures, which suggests that computational methods for RNA structure prediction can already provide useful structural information for biological problems. However, the prediction accuracy for non-Watson-Crick interactions, key to proper folding of RNAs, is low and some predicted models had high Clash Scores. These two difficulties point to some of the continuing bottlenecks in RNA structure prediction. All submitted models are available for download at http://ahsoka.u-strasbg.fr/rnapuzzles/.

The tRNA A76 Hydroxyl Groups Control Partitioning of the tRNA-dependent Pre- and Post-transfer Editing Pathways in Class I tRNA Synthetase

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases catalyze ATP-dependent covalent coupling of cognate amino acids and tRNAs for ribosomal protein synthesis. Escherichia coli isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS) exploits both the tRNA-dependent pre- and post-transfer editing pathways to minimize errors in translation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which tRNA(Ile) organizes the synthetic site to enhance pre-transfer editing, an idiosyncratic feature of IleRS, remains elusive. Here we show that tRNA(Ile) affects both the synthetic and editing reactions localized within the IleRS synthetic site. In a complex with cognate tRNA, IleRS exhibits a 10-fold faster aminoacyl-AMP hydrolysis and a 10-fold drop in amino acid affinity relative to the free enzyme. Remarkably, the specificity against non-cognate valine was not improved by the presence of tRNA in either of these processes. Instead, amino acid specificity is determined by the protein component per se, whereas the tRNA promotes catalytic performance of the synthetic site, bringing about less error-prone and kinetically optimized isoleucyl-tRNA(Ile) synthesis under cellular conditions. Finally, the extent to which tRNA(Ile) modulates activation and pre-transfer editing is independent of the intactness of its 3'-end. This finding decouples aminoacylation and pre-transfer editing within the IleRS synthetic site and further demonstrates that the A76 hydroxyl groups participate in post-transfer editing only. The data are consistent with a model whereby the 3'-end of the tRNA remains free to sample different positions within the IleRS·tRNA complex, whereas the fine-tuning of the synthetic site is attained via conformational rearrangement of the enzyme through the interactions with the remaining parts of the tRNA body.

A minimalist mitochondrial threonyl-tRNA synthetase exhibits tRNA-isoacceptor specificity during proofreading

Yeast mitochondria contain a minimalist threonyl-tRNA synthetase (ThrRS) composed only of the catalytic core and tRNA binding domain but lacking the entire editing domain. Besides the usual tRNA^Thr2, some budding yeasts, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also contain a non-canonical tRNA^Thr1 with an enlarged 8-nucleotide anticodon loop, reprograming the usual leucine CUN codons to threonine. This raises interesting questions about the aminoacylation fidelity of such ThrRSs and the possible contribution of the two tRNA^Thrs during editing. Here, we found that, despite the absence of the editing domain, S. cerevisiae mitochondrial ThrRS (ScmtThrRS) harbors a tRNA-dependent pre-transfer editing activity. Remarkably, only the usual tRNA^Thr2 stimulated pre-transfer editing, thus, establishing the first example of a synthetase exhibiting tRNA-isoacceptor specificity during pre-transfer editing. We also showed that the failure of tRNA^Thr1 to stimulate tRNA-dependent pre-transfer editing was due to the lack of an editing domain. Using assays of the complementation of a ScmtThrRS gene knockout strain, we showed that the catalytic core and tRNA binding domain of ScmtThrRS co-evolved to recognize the unusual tRNA^Thr1. In combination, the results provide insights into the tRNA-dependent editing process and suggest that tRNA-dependent pre-transfer editing takes place in the aminoacylation catalytic core.

A conserved proline triplet in Val-tRNA synthetase and the origin of elongation factor P

Bacterial ribosomes stall on polyproline stretches and require the elongation factor P (EF-P) to relieve the arrest. Yet it remains unclear why evolution has favored the development of EF-P rather than selecting against the occurrence of polyproline stretches in proteins. We have discovered that only a single polyproline stretch is invariant across all domains of life, namely a proline triplet in ValS, the tRNA synthetase, that charges tRNA(Val) with valine. Here, we show that expression of ValS in vivo and in vitro requires EF-P and demonstrate that the proline triplet located in the active site of ValS is important for efficient charging of tRNA(Val) with valine and preventing formation of mischarged Thr-tRNA(Val) as well as efficient growth of E. coli in vivo. We suggest that the critical role of the proline triplet for ValS activity may explain why bacterial cells coevolved the EF-P rescue system.

Determinants for tRNA-dependent pretransfer editing in the synthetic site of isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase

The accurate expression of genetic information relies on the fidelity of amino acid–tRNA coupling by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS). When the specificity against structurally similar noncognate amino acids in the synthetic reaction does not support a threshold fidelity level for translation, the aaRS employ intrinsic hydrolytic editing to correct errors in aminoacylation. Escherichia coli isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (EcIleRS) is a class I aaRS that is notable for its use of tRNA-dependent pretransfer editing to hydrolyze noncognate valyl-adenylate prior to aminoacyl-tRNA formation. On the basis of the finding that IleRS possessing an inactivated post-transfer editing domain is still capable of robust tRNA-dependent editing, we have recently proposed that the pretransfer editing activity resides within the synthetic site. Here we apply an improved methodology that allows quantitation of the AMP fraction that arises particularly from tRNA-dependent aa-AMP hydrolysis. By this approach, we demonstrate that tRNA-dependent pretransfer editing accounts for nearly one-third of the total proofreading by EcIleRS and that a highly conserved tyrosine within the synthetic site modulates both editing and aminoacylation. Therefore, synthesis of aminoacyl-tRNA and hydrolysis of aminoacyl-adenylates employ overlapping amino acid determinants. We suggest that this overlap hindered the evolution of synthetic site-based pretransfer editing as the predominant proofreading pathway, because that activity is difficult to accommodate in the context of efficient aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis. Instead, the acquisition of a spatially separate domain dedicated to post-transfer editing alone allowed for the development of a powerful deacylation machinery that effectively competes with dissociation of misacylated tRNAs.