Solution structure of the E. coli 70S ribosome at 11.5 A resolution

Methylation of immature small ribosomal subunits by methyltransferases conferring aminoglycoside resistance

Aminoglycosides are broad-spectrum antibiotics critical to clinical treatment, but the emergence of bacterial resistance, particularly through 16S rRNA methyltransferases, has compromised their efficacy. These enzymes, originally discovered in natural aminoglycoside producers, confer resistance by methylating nucleotides G1405 and A1408 in 16S rRNA, blocking antibiotic binding to the ribosome. This study investigated the binding affinities and methylation activities of 16S rRNA methyltransferases KamB, NpmA, RmtA, RmtC, and Sgm with immature 30S ribosomal subunits from E. coli strains lacking RimM and YjeQ ribosomal assembly factors. Binding affinities to mature 30S ribosomal subunits and immature 30S assembly forms isolated from ΔyjeQ and ΔrimM strains were determined by microscale thermophoresis and interactions were further validated with in vitro pull-down assays. Methylation of immature 30S subunits was examined with primer extension on 16S rRNA extracted from methylation assays in vitro and from cells with immature 30S subunits expressing 16S rRNA methyltransferases in vivo, showing successful methylation of target nucleotides in both experimental systems. The results reveal that aminoglycoside resistance methyltransferases are capable to bind and modify late-stage immature 30S ribosomal subunits pointing to possibility that the resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics is installed and established before the full maturation of ribosomal 30S subunit.

Navigating the unstructured by evaluating alphafold's efficacy in predicting missing residues and structural disorder in proteins

The study investigated regions with undefined structures, known as "missing" segments in X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) data, by assessing their predicted structural confidence and disorder scores. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset from the Protein Data Bank (PDB), residues were categorized as "modeled", "hard missing" and "soft missing" based on their visibility in structural datasets. Key features were determined, including a confidence score predicted local distance difference test (pLDDT) from AlphaFold2, an advanced structural prediction tool, and a disorder score from IUPred, a traditional disorder prediction method. To enhance prediction performance for unstructured residues, we employed a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model, integrating both scores with amino acid sequences. Notable patterns such as composition, region lengths and prediction scores were observed in unstructured residues and regions identified through structural experiments over our studied period. Our findings also indicate that "hard missing" residues often align with low confidence scores, whereas "soft missing" residues exhibit dynamic behavior that can complicate predictions. The incorporation of pLDDT, IUPred scores, and sequence data into the LSTM model has improved the differentiation between structured and unstructured residues, particularly for shorter unstructured regions. This research elucidates the relationship between established computational predictions and experimental structural data, enhancing our ability to target structurally significant areas for research and guiding experimental designs toward functionally relevant regions.

HflX-mediated drug resistance through ribosome splitting and rRNA disordering in mycobacteria

HflX is a highly conserved ribosome-associated GTPase implicated in rescuing stalled ribosomes and mediating antibiotic resistance in several bacteria, including macrolide-lincosamide antibiotic resistance in mycobacteria. Mycobacterial HflXs carry a distinct N-terminal extension (NTE) and a small insertion, as compared to their eubacterial homologs. Here, we present several high-resolution cryo-EM structures of mycobacterial HflX in complex with the 70S ribosome and its 50S subunit, with and without antibiotics. These structures reveal a distinct mechanism for HflX-mediated ribosome splitting and antibiotic resistance in mycobacteria. Our findings indicate that the NTE of mycobacterial HflX induces persistent disordering of multiple 23S rRNA helices, facilitating the dissociation of the 70S ribosome and generating an inactive pool of 50S subunits. During this process, HflX undergoes a large conformational change that stabilizes its NTE. Mycobacterial HflX also acts as an anti-association factor by binding to predissociated 50S subunits. Our structures show that a mycobacteria-specific insertion in HflX reaches far into the peptidyl transferase center (PTC), such that it would overlap with the ribosome-bound macrolide antibiotics. However, in the presence of antibiotics, this insertion retracts, adjusts around, and interacts with the antibiotic molecules. These results suggest that mycobacterial HflX is agnostic to antibiotic presence in the PTC. It mediates antibiotic resistance by splitting antibiotic-stalled 70S ribosomes and inactivating the resulting 50S subunits.

Assay for ribosome stimulation of angiogenin nuclease activity

Angiogenin (RNase 5) is an unusual member of the RNase A family with very weak RNase activity and a preference for tRNA. The tRNAs cleaved by angiogenin are thought to have a variety of roles in cellular processes including translation reprogramming, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and neuroprotection. We recently demonstrated that angiogenin is potently activated by the cytoplasmic 80S ribosome. Angiogenin's binding to the ribosome rearranges the C-terminus of the protein, opening the active site for the cleavage of tRNA delivered to the ribosomal A site which angiogenin occupies. Here, we describe the biochemical procedure to test angiogenin's activation by the ribosome using the assay termed the Ribosome Stimulated Angiogenin Nuclease Assay (RiSANA). RiSANA can be used to test the activity of wild-type or mutant angiogenin, or other RNases, against different tRNAs and with different ribosome complexes. For example, given that angiogenin has been implicated in anti-microbial activity, we tested the ability of bacterial 70S ribosomes to stimulate angiogenin activity and found that the E. coli ribosome does not stimulate angiogenin. We also assayed whether angiogenin's closest homolog, RNase 4, could be stimulated by the ribosome, but unlike angiogenin this enzyme was not further activated by the ribosome. The RiSANA assay promises to reveal new aspects of angiogenin mechanism and may aid in the development of new diagnostic tools and therapeutics.

Identification of RNA structures and their roles in RNA functions

The development of high-throughput RNA structure profiling methods in the past decade has greatly facilitated our ability to map and characterize different aspects of RNA structures transcriptome-wide in cell populations, single cells and single molecules. The resulting high-resolution data have provided insights into the static and dynamic nature of RNA structures, revealing their complexity as they perform their respective functions in the cell. In this Review, we discuss recent technical advances in the determination of RNA structures, and the roles of RNA structures in RNA biogenesis and functions, including in transcription, processing, translation, degradation, localization and RNA structure-dependent condensates. We also discuss the current understanding of how RNA structures could guide drug design for treating genetic diseases and battling pathogenic viruses, and highlight existing challenges and future directions in RNA structure research.

Drug resistance through ribosome splitting and rRNA disordering in mycobacteria

HflX is known to rescue stalled ribosomes and is implicated in antibiotic resistance in several bacteria. Here we present several high-resolution cryo-EM structures of mycobacterial HflX in complex with the ribosome and its 50S subunit, with and without antibiotics. These structures reveal a distinct mechanism for HflX-mediated ribosome splitting and antibiotic resistance in mycobacteria. In addition to dissociating ribosome into two subunits, mycobacterial HflX mediates persistent disordering of multiple 23S rRNA helices to generate an inactive pool of 50S subunits. Mycobacterial HflX also acts as an anti-association factor by binding to pre-dissociated 50S subunits. A mycobacteria-specific insertion in HflX reaches further into the peptidyl transferase center. The position of this insertion overlaps with ribosome-bound macrolides or lincosamide class of antibiotics. The extended conformation of insertion seen in the absence of these antibiotics retracts and adjusts around the bound antibiotics instead of physically displacing them. It therefore likely imparts antibiotic resistance by sequestration of the antibiotic-bound inactive 50S subunits.

Endogenous trans-translation structure visualizes the decoding of the first tmRNA alanine codon

Ribosomes stall on truncated or otherwise damaged mRNAs. Bacteria rely on ribosome rescue mechanisms to replenish the pool of ribosomes available for translation. Trans-translation, the main ribosome-rescue pathway, uses a circular hybrid transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA) to restart translation and label the resulting peptide for degradation. Previous studies have visualized how tmRNA and its helper protein SmpB interact with the stalled ribosome to establish a new open reading frame. As tmRNA presents the first alanine codon via a non-canonical mRNA path in the ribosome, the incoming alanyl-tRNA must rearrange the tmRNA molecule to read the codon. Here, we describe cryo-EM analyses of an endogenous Escherichia coli ribosome-tmRNA complex with tRNAAla accommodated in the A site. The flexible adenosine-rich tmRNA linker, which connects the mRNA-like domain with the codon, is stabilized by the minor groove of the canonically positioned anticodon stem of tRNAAla. This ribosome complex can also accommodate a tRNA near the E (exit) site, bringing insights into the translocation and dissociation of the tRNA that decoded the defective mRNA prior to tmRNA binding. Together, these structures uncover a key step of ribosome rescue, in which the ribosome starts translating the tmRNA reading frame.

Starvation sensing by mycobacterial RelA/SpoT homologue through constitutive surveillance of translation

The stringent response, which leads to persistence of nutrient-starved mycobacteria, is induced by activation of the RelA/SpoT homolog (Rsh) upon entry of a deacylated-tRNA in a translating ribosome. However, the mechanism by which Rsh identifies such ribosomes in vivo remains unclear. Here, we show that conditions inducing ribosome hibernation result in loss of intracellular Rsh in a Clp protease-dependent manner. This loss is also observed in nonstarved cells using mutations in Rsh that block its interaction with the ribosome, indicating that Rsh association with the ribosome is important for Rsh stability. The cryo-EM structure of the Rsh-bound 70S ribosome in a translation initiation complex reveals unknown interactions between the ACT domain of Rsh and components of the ribosomal L7/L12 stalk base, suggesting that the aminoacylation status of A-site tRNA is surveilled during the first cycle of elongation. Altogether, we propose a surveillance model of Rsh activation that originates from its constitutive interaction with the ribosomes entering the translation cycle.

Structural Insights into the Distortion of the Ribosomal Small Subunit at Different Magnesium Concentrations

Magnesium ions are abundant and play indispensable functions in the ribosome. A decrease in Mg²⁺ concentration causes 70S ribosome dissociation and subsequent unfolding. Structural distortion at low Mg²⁺ concentrations has been observed in an immature pre50S, while the structural changes in mature subunits have not yet been studied. Here, we purified the 30S subunits of E. coli cells under various Mg²⁺ concentrations and analyzed their structural distortion by cryo-electron microscopy. Upon systematically interrogating the structural heterogeneity within the 1 mM Mg²⁺ dataset, we observed 30S particles with different levels of structural distortion in the decoding center, h17, and the 30S head. Our model showed that, when the Mg²⁺ concentration decreases, the decoding center distorts, starting from h44 and followed by the shifting of h18 and h27, as well as the dissociation of ribosomal protein S12. Mg²⁺ deficiency also eliminates the interactions between h17, h10, h15, and S16, resulting in the movement of h17 towards the tip of h6. More flexible structures were observed in the 30S head and platform, showing high variability in these regions. In summary, the structures resolved here showed several prominent distortion events in the decoding center and h17. The requirement for Mg²⁺ in ribosomes suggests that the conformational changes reported here are likely shared due to a lack of cellular Mg²⁺ in all domains of life.

Electron scattering properties of biological macromolecules and their use for cryo-EM map sharpening

Resolution-dependent loss of contrast in cryo-EM maps may obscure features at high resolution that are critical for map interpretation. Post-processing of cryo-EM maps can improve the interpretability by adjusting the resolution-dependence of structure factor amplitudes through map sharpening. Traditionally this has been done by rescaling the relative contribution of low and high-resolution frequencies globally. More recently, the realisation that molecular motion and heterogeneity cause non-uniformity of resolution throughout the map has inspired the development of techniques that optimise sharpening locally. We previously developed LocScale, a method that utilises the radial structure factor from a refined atomic model as a restraint for local map sharpening. While this method has proved beneficial for the interpretation of cryo-EM maps, the dependence on the availability of (partial) model information limits its general applicability. Here, we review the basic assumptions of resolution-dependent contrast loss in cryo-EM maps and propose a route towards a robust alternative for local map sharpening that utilises information on expected scattering properties of biological macromolecules, but requires no detailed knowledge of the underlying molecular structure. We examine remaining challenges for implementation and discuss possible applications.

Ribosome inhibition by C9ORF72-ALS/FTD-associated poly-PR and poly-GR proteins revealed by cryo-EM

Toxic dipeptide-repeat (DPR) proteins are produced from expanded G4C2 repeats in the C9ORF72 gene, the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Two DPR proteins, poly-PR and poly-GR, repress cellular translation but the molecular mechanism remains unknown. Here we show that poly-PR and poly-GR of ≥20 repeats inhibit the ribosome's peptidyl-transferase activity at nanomolar concentrations, comparable to specific translation inhibitors. High-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) reveals that poly-PR and poly-GR block the polypeptide tunnel of the ribosome, extending into the peptidyl-transferase center (PTC). Consistent with these findings, the macrolide erythromycin, which binds in the tunnel, competes with poly-PR and restores peptidyl-transferase activity. Our results demonstrate that strong and specific binding of poly-PR and poly-GR in the ribosomal tunnel blocks translation, revealing the structural basis of their toxicity in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD.

Protein Assistants of Small Ribosomal Subunit Biogenesis in Bacteria

Ribosome biogenesis is a fundamental and multistage process. The basic steps of ribosome assembly are the transcription, processing, folding, and modification of rRNA; the translation, folding, and modification of r-proteins; and consecutive binding of ribosomal proteins to rRNAs. Ribosome maturation is facilitated by biogenesis factors that include a broad spectrum of proteins: GTPases, RNA helicases, endonucleases, modification enzymes, molecular chaperones, etc. The ribosome assembly factors assist proper rRNA folding and protein–RNA interactions and may sense the checkpoints during the assembly to ensure correct order of this process. Inactivation of these factors is accompanied by severe growth phenotypes and accumulation of immature ribosomal subunits containing unprocessed rRNA, which reduces overall translation efficiency and causes translational errors. In this review, we focus on the structural and biochemical analysis of the 30S ribosomal subunit assembly factors RbfA, YjeQ (RsgA), Era, KsgA (RsmA), RimJ, RimM, RimP, and Hfq, which take part in the decoding-center folding.

Genome-Scale Reconstruction of Microbial Dynamic Phenotype: Successes and Challenges

This review is a part of the SI 'Genome-Scale Modeling of Microorganisms in the Real World'. The goal of GEM is the accurate prediction of the phenotype from its respective genotype under specified environmental conditions. This review focuses on the dynamic phenotype; prediction of the real-life behaviors of microorganisms, such as cell proliferation, dormancy, and mortality; balanced and unbalanced growth; steady-state and transient processes; primary and secondary metabolism; stress responses; etc. Constraint-based metabolic reconstructions were successfully started two decades ago as FBA, followed by more advanced models, but this review starts from the earlier nongenomic predecessors to show that some GEMs inherited the outdated biokinetic frameworks compromising their performances. The most essential deficiencies are: (i) an inadequate account of environmental conditions, such as various degrees of nutrients limitation and other factors shaping phenotypes; (ii) a failure to simulate the adaptive changes of MMCC (MacroMolecular Cell Composition) in response to the fluctuating environment; (iii) the misinterpretation of the SGR (Specific Growth Rate) as either a fixed constant parameter of the model or independent factor affecting the conditional expression of macromolecules; (iv) neglecting stress resistance as an important objective function; and (v) inefficient experimental verification of GEM against simple growth (constant MMCC and SGR) data. Finally, we propose several ways to improve GEMs, such as replacing the outdated Monod equation with the SCM (Synthetic Chemostat Model) that establishes the quantitative relationships between primary and secondary metabolism, growth rate and stress resistance, process kinetics, and cell composition.

Protein escape at the ribosomal exit tunnel: Effect of the tunnel shape

We study the post-translational escape of nascent proteins at the ribosomal exit tunnel with the consideration of a real shape atomistic tunnel based on the Protein Data Bank structure of the large ribosome subunit of archeon Haloarcula marismortui. Molecular dynamics simulations employing the Go-like model for the proteins show that at intermediate and high temperatures, including a presumable physiological temperature, the protein escape process at the atomistic tunnel is quantitatively similar to that at a cylinder tunnel of length L = 72 Å and diameter d = 16 Å. At low temperatures, the atomistic tunnel, however, yields an increased probability of protein trapping inside the tunnel, while the cylinder tunnel does not cause the trapping. All-β proteins tend to escape faster than all-α proteins, but this difference is blurred on increasing the protein's chain length. A 29-residue zinc-finger domain is shown to be severely trapped inside the tunnel. Most of the single-domain proteins considered, however, can escape efficiently at the physiological temperature with the escape time distribution following the diffusion model proposed in our previous works. An extrapolation of the simulation data to a realistic value of the friction coefficient for amino acids indicates that the escape times of globular proteins are at the sub-millisecond scale. It is argued that this time scale is short enough for the smooth functioning of the ribosome by not allowing nascent proteins to jam the ribosome tunnel.

Fidelity and coordination of mitochondrial protein synthesis in health and disease

The evolutionary acquisition of mitochondria has given rise to the diversity of eukaryotic life. Mitochondria have retained their ancestral α-proteobacterial traits through the maintenance of double membranes and their own circular genome. Their genome varies in size from very large in plants to the smallest in animals and their parasites. The mitochondrial genome encodes essential genes for protein synthesis and has to coordinate its expression with the nuclear genome from which it sources most of the proteins required for mitochondrial biogenesis and function. The mitochondrial protein synthesis machinery is unique because it is encoded by both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes thereby requiring tight regulation to produce the respiratory complexes that drive oxidative phosphorylation for energy production. The fidelity and coordination of mitochondrial protein synthesis are essential for ATP production. Here we compare and contrast the mitochondrial translation mechanisms in mammals and fungi to bacteria and reveal that their diverse regulation can have unusual impacts on the health and disease of these organisms. We highlight that in mammals the rate of protein synthesis is more important than the fidelity of translation, enabling coordinated biogenesis of the mitochondrial respiratory chain with respiratory chain proteins synthesised by cytoplasmic ribosomes. Changes in mitochondrial protein fidelity can trigger the activation of the diverse cellular signalling networks in fungi and mammals to combat dysfunction in energy conservation. The physiological consequences of altered fidelity of protein synthesis can range from liver regeneration to the onset and development of cardiomyopathy.

Cryo-EM of elongating ribosome with EF-Tu•GTP elucidates tRNA proofreading

Ribosomes accurately decode mRNA by proofreading each aminoacyl-tRNA delivered by elongation factor EF-Tu¹. Understanding the molecular mechanism of proofreading requires visualizing GTP-catalyzed elongation, which has remained a challenge^2–4. Here, time-resolved cryo-EM revealed 33 states following aminoacyl-tRNA delivery by EF-Tu•GTP. Instead of locking cognate tRNA upon initial recognition, the ribosomal decoding center (DC) dynamically monitors codon-anticodon interactions before and after GTP hydrolysis. GTP hydrolysis allows EF-Tu’s GTPase domain to extend away, releasing EF-Tu from tRNA. Then, the 30S subunit locks cognate tRNA in the DC, and rotates, enabling the tRNA to bypass 50S protrusions during accommodation into the peptidyl transferase center. By contrast, the DC fails to lock near-cognate tRNA, allowing dissociation of near-cognate tRNA during both initial selection (before GTP hydrolysis) and proofreading (after GTP hydrolysis). These findings reveal structural similarity between initial selection^5,6 and the previously unseen proofreading, which together govern efficient rejection of incorrect tRNA.

Ribosome engineering reveals the importance of 5S rRNA autonomy for ribosome assembly

5S rRNA is an indispensable component of cytoplasmic ribosomes in all species. The functions of 5S rRNA and the reasons for its evolutionary preservation as an independent molecule remain unclear. Here we used ribosome engineering to investigate whether 5S rRNA autonomy is critical for ribosome function and cell survival. By linking circularly permutated 5S rRNA with 23S rRNA we generated a bacterial strain devoid of free 5S rRNA. Viability of the engineered cells demonstrates that autonomous 5S rRNA is dispensable for cell growth under standard conditions and is unlikely to have essential functions outside the ribosome. The fully assembled ribosomes carrying 23S-5S rRNA are highly active in translation. However, the engineered cells accumulate aberrant 50S subunits unable to form stable 70S ribosomes. Cryo-EM analysis revealed a malformed peptidyl transferase center in the misassembled 50S subunits. Our results argue that the autonomy of 5S rRNA is preserved due to its role in ribosome biogenesis.

Evolving data standards for cryo-EM structures

Electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) is increasingly being used to determine 3D structures of a broad spectrum of biological specimens from molecules to cells. Anticipating this progress in the early 2000s, an international collaboration of scientists with expertise in both cryo-EM and structure data archiving was established (EMDataResource, previously known as EMDataBank). The major goals of the collaboration have been twofold: to develop the necessary infrastructure for archiving cryo-EM-derived density maps and models, and to promote development of cryo-EM structure validation standards. We describe how cryo-EM data archiving and validation have been developed and jointly coordinated for the Electron Microscopy Data Bank and Protein Data Bank archives over the past two decades, as well as the impact of evolving technology on data standards. Just as for X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance, engaging the scientific community via workshops and challenging activities has played a central role in developing recommendations and requirements for the cryo-EM structure data archives.

Importance of potassium ions for ribosome structure and function revealed by long-wavelength X-ray diffraction

The ribosome, the largest RNA-containing macromolecular machinery in cells, requires metal ions not only to maintain its three-dimensional fold but also to perform protein synthesis. Despite the vast biochemical data regarding the importance of metal ions for efficient protein synthesis and the increasing number of ribosome structures solved by X-ray crystallography or cryo-electron microscopy, the assignment of metal ions within the ribosome remains elusive due to methodological limitations. Here we present extensive experimental data on the potassium composition and environment in two structures of functional ribosome complexes obtained by measurement of the potassium anomalous signal at the K-edge, derived from long-wavelength X-ray diffraction data. We elucidate the role of potassium ions in protein synthesis at the three-dimensional level, most notably, in the environment of the ribosome functional decoding and peptidyl transferase centers. Our data expand the fundamental knowledge of the mechanism of ribosome function and structural integrity.

Joachim Frank's Binding with the Ribosome

With recent technological advancements, single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is now the technique of choice to study structure and function of biological macromolecules at near-atomic resolution. Many single-particle EM reconstruction methods necessary for these advances were pioneered by Joachim Frank, and were optimized using the ribosome as a benchmark specimen. In doing so, he made several landmark contributions to the understanding of the structure and function of ribosomes. These include the first 3D visualization of ribosome-bound transfer RNAs, the first experimentally derived structures of the primary complexes formed during the bacterial translation elongation cycle, and the critical ribosomal conformational transitions required for translation. Over the years, his laboratory studied many important functional complexes of the ribosome from both eubacterial and eukaryotic systems, including ribosomes from pathogenic organisms. This article presents a brief account of the contributions made by Joachim Frank to the ribosome field.

From Electron Crystallography to Single Particle CryoEM (Nobel Lecture)

Pictures are a key to knowledge: The development of electron microscopy from its beginnings to modern single particle cryo-EM is described by R. Henderson in his Nobel lecture. Shown is the first projection structure at 7 Å resolution of the purple membrane from October 1974.

Structural biology data archiving - where we are and what lies ahead

For almost 50 years, structural biology has endeavoured to conserve and share its experimental data and their interpretations (usually, atomistic models) through global public archives such as the Protein Data Bank, Electron Microscopy Data Bank and Biological Magnetic Resonance Data Bank (BMRB). These archives are treasure troves of freely accessible data that document our quest for molecular or atomic understanding of biological function and processes in health and disease. They have prepared the field to tackle new archiving challenges as more and more (combinations of) techniques are being utilized to elucidate structure at ever increasing length scales. Furthermore, the field has made substantial efforts to develop validation methods that help users to assess the reliability of structures and to identify the most appropriate data for their needs. In this Review, we present an overview of public data archives in structural biology and discuss the importance of validation for users and producers of structural data. Finally, we sketch our efforts to integrate structural data with bioimaging data and with other sources of biological data. This will make relevant structural information available and more easily discoverable for a wide range of scientists.

Structural dynamics of protein S1 on the 70S ribosome visualized by ensemble cryo-EM

Bacterial ribosomal protein S1 is the largest and highly flexible protein of the 30S subunit, and one of a few core ribosomal proteins for which a complete structure is lacking. S1 is thought to participate in transcription and translation. Best understood is the role of S1 in facilitating translation of mRNAs with structured 5' UTRs. Here, we present cryo-EM analyses of the 70S ribosome that reveal multiple conformations of S1. Based on comparison of several 3D maximum likelihood classification approaches in Frealign, we propose a streamlined strategy for visualizing a highly dynamic component of a large macromolecular assembly that itself exhibits high compositional and conformational heterogeneity. The resulting maps show how S1 docks at the ribosomal protein S2 near the mRNA exit channel. The globular OB-fold domains sample a wide area around the mRNA exit channel and interact with mobile tails of proteins S6 and S18. S1 also interacts with the mRNA entrance channel, where an OB-fold domain can be localized near S3 and S5. Our analyses suggest that S1 cooperates with other ribosomal proteins to form a dynamic mesh near the mRNA exit and entrance channels to modulate the binding, folding and movement of mRNA.

Regulatory Roles of Mitochondrial Ribosome in Lung Diseases and Single Cell Biology

The mitochondria have the most vital processes in eukaryotic cells to produce ATP composed of polypeptides that are produced via ribosomes, as oxidative phosphorylation. Initially, studies regarding human mitochondrial ribosomes were performed in the model system, bovine mitochondrial ribosome, to investigate how ribosomes are biosynthesized and evolved as well as what their structure and function are. Advances in X-ray crystallography have led to dramatic progresses in structural studies of the ribosome. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the properties of the mitochondrial ribosome. Although one of its main functions is the production of ATP, it was also linked to multiple diseases. A key area that remains unexplored and requires investigation and exploration is how mitochondrial ribosomal RNA (mt-rRNA) variations can affect the mitochondrial ribosomes in developing disease. This review summarizes the structure, elements, functions, and regulatory roles in associated diseases. With the continuous development of technology, studies on the mechanism of mitochondrial ribosome related diseases are crucial, in order to identify methods of prevention and treatment of these disorders.

Model-based local density sharpening of cryo-EM maps

Atomic models based on high-resolution density maps are the ultimate result of the cryo-EM structure determination process. Here, we introduce a general procedure for local sharpening of cryo-EM density maps based on prior knowledge of an atomic reference structure. The procedure optimizes contrast of cryo-EM densities by amplitude scaling against the radially averaged local falloff estimated from a windowed reference model. By testing the procedure using six cryo-EM structures of TRPV1, β-galactosidase, γ-secretase, ribosome-EF-Tu complex, 20S proteasome and RNA polymerase III, we illustrate how local sharpening can increase interpretability of density maps in particular in cases of resolution variation and facilitates model building and atomic model refinement.

Ensemble cryo-EM elucidates the mechanism of translation fidelity

Gene translation depends on accurate decoding of mRNA, the structural mechanism of which remains poorly understood. Ribosomes decode mRNA codons by selecting cognate aminoacyl-tRNAs delivered by elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu). Here we present high-resolution structural ensembles of ribosomes with cognate or near-cognate aminoacyl-tRNAs delivered by EF-Tu. Both cognate and near-cognate tRNA anticodons explore the aminoacyl-tRNA-binding site (A site) of an open 30S subunit, while inactive EF-Tu is separated from the 50S subunit. A transient conformation of decoding-centre nucleotide G530 stabilizes the cognate codon-anticodon helix, initiating step-wise 'latching' of the decoding centre. The resulting closure of the 30S subunit docks EF-Tu at the sarcin-ricin loop of the 50S subunit, activating EF-Tu for GTP hydrolysis and enabling accommodation of the aminoacyl-tRNA. By contrast, near-cognate complexes fail to induce the G530 latch, thus favouring open 30S pre-accommodation intermediates with inactive EF-Tu. This work reveals long-sought structural differences between the pre-accommodation of cognate and near-cognate tRNAs that elucidate the mechanism of accurate decoding.

The ribosome and its role in protein folding: looking through a magnifying glass

Protein folding, a process that underpins cellular activity, begins co-translationally on the ribosome. During translation, a newly synthesized polypeptide chain enters the ribosomal exit tunnel and actively interacts with the ribosome elements - the r-proteins and rRNA that line the tunnel - prior to emerging into the cellular milieu. While understanding of the structure and function of the ribosome has advanced significantly, little is known about the process of folding of the emerging nascent chain (NC). Advances in cryo-electron microscopy are enabling visualization of NCs within the exit tunnel, allowing early glimpses of the interplay between the NC and the ribosome. Once it has emerged from the exit tunnel into the cytosol, the NC (still attached to its parent ribosome) can acquire a range of conformations, which can be characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Using experimental restraints within molecular-dynamics simulations, the ensemble of NC structures can be described. In order to delineate the process of co-translational protein folding, a hybrid structural biology approach is foreseeable, potentially offering a complete atomic description of protein folding as it occurs on the ribosome.

Site-Specific Cleavage of Ribosomal RNA in Escherichia coli-Based Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Systems

Cell-free protein synthesis, which mimics the biological protein production system, allows rapid expression of proteins without the need to maintain a viable cell. Nevertheless, cell-free protein expression relies on active in vivo translation machinery including ribosomes and translation factors. Here, we examined the integrity of the protein synthesis machinery, namely the functionality of ribosomes, during (i) the cell-free extract preparation and (ii) the performance of in vitro protein synthesis by analyzing crucial components involved in translation. Monitoring the 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA, elongation factors and ribosomal protein S1, we show that processing of a cell-free extract results in no substantial alteration of the translation machinery. Moreover, we reveal that the 16S rRNA is specifically cleaved at helix 44 during in vitro translation reactions, resulting in the removal of the anti-Shine-Dalgarno sequence. These defective ribosomes accumulate in the cell-free system. We demonstrate that the specific cleavage of the 16S rRNA is triggered by the decreased concentrations of Mg2+. In addition, we provide evidence that helix 44 of the 30S ribosomal subunit serves as a point-of-entry for ribosome degradation in Escherichia coli. Our results suggest that Mg2+ homeostasis is fundamental to preserving functional ribosomes in cell-free protein synthesis systems, which is of major importance for cell-free protein synthesis at preparative scale, in order to create highly efficient technical in vitro systems.

A strategy for co-translational folding studies of ribosome-bound nascent chain complexes using NMR spectroscopy

During biosynthesis on the ribosome, an elongating nascent polypeptide chain can begin to fold, in a process that is central to all living systems. Detailed structural studies of co-translational protein folding are now beginning to emerge; such studies were previously limited, at least in part, by the inherently dynamic nature of emerging nascent chains, which precluded most structural techniques. NMR spectroscopy is able to provide atomic-resolution information for ribosome-nascent chain complexes (RNCs), but it requires large quantities (≥10 mg) of homogeneous, isotopically labeled RNCs. Further challenges include limited sample working concentration and stability of the RNC sample (which contribute to weak NMR signals) and resonance broadening caused by attachment to the large (2.4-MDa) ribosomal complex. Here, we present a strategy to generate isotopically labeled RNCs in Escherichia coli that are suitable for NMR studies. Uniform translational arrest of the nascent chains is achieved using a stalling motif, and isotopically labeled RNCs are produced at high yield using high-cell-density E. coli growth conditions. Homogeneous RNCs are isolated by combining metal affinity chromatography (to isolate ribosome-bound species) with sucrose density centrifugation (to recover intact 70S monosomes). Sensitivity-optimized NMR spectroscopy is then applied to the RNCs, combined with a suite of parallel NMR and biochemical analyses to cross-validate their integrity, including RNC-optimized NMR diffusion measurements to report on ribosome attachment in situ. Comparative NMR studies of RNCs with the analogous isolated proteins permit a high-resolution description of the structure and dynamics of a nascent chain during its progressive biosynthesis on the ribosome.

Single particle electron cryomicroscopy: trends, issues and future perspective

There has been enormous progress during the last few years in the determination of three-dimensional biological structures by single particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM), allowing maps to be obtained with higher resolution and from fewer images than required previously. This is due principally to the introduction of a new type of direct electron detector that has 2- to 3-fold higher detective quantum efficiency than available previously, and to the improvement of the computational algorithms for image processing. In spite of the great strides that have been made, quantitative analysis shows that there are still significant gains to be made provided that the problems associated with image degradation can be solved, possibly by minimising beam-induced specimen movement and charge build up during imaging. If this can be achieved, it should be possible to obtain near atomic resolution structures of smaller single particles, using fewer images and resolving more conformational states than at present, thus realising the full potential of the method. The recent popularity of cryoEM for molecular structure determination also highlights the need for lower cost microscopes, so we encourage development of an inexpensive, 100 keV electron cryomicroscope with a high-brightness field emission gun to make the method accessible to individual groups or institutions that cannot afford the investment and running costs of a state-of-the-art 300 keV installation. A key requisite for successful high-resolution structure determination by cryoEM includes interpretation of images and optimising the biochemistry and grid preparation to obtain nicely distributed macromolecules of interest. We thus include in this review a gallery of cryoEM micrographs that shows illustrative examples of single particle images of large and small macromolecular complexes.

Ribosome•RelA structures reveal the mechanism of stringent response activation

Stringent response is a conserved bacterial stress response underlying virulence and antibiotic resistance. RelA/SpoT-homolog proteins synthesize transcriptional modulators (p)ppGpp, allowing bacteria to adapt to stress. RelA is activated during amino-acid starvation, when cognate deacyl-tRNA binds to the ribosomal A (aminoacyl-tRNA) site. We report four cryo-EM structures of E. coli RelA bound to the 70S ribosome, in the absence and presence of deacyl-tRNA accommodating in the 30S A site. The boomerang-shaped RelA with a wingspan of more than 100 Å wraps around the A/R (30S A-site/RelA-bound) tRNA. The CCA end of the A/R tRNA pins the central TGS domain against the 30S subunit, presenting the (p)ppGpp-synthetase domain near the 30S spur. The ribosome and A/R tRNA are captured in three conformations, revealing hitherto elusive states of tRNA engagement with the ribosomal decoding center. Decoding-center rearrangements are coupled with the step-wise 30S-subunit 'closure', providing insights into the dynamics of high-fidelity tRNA decoding.

Whither Ribosome Structure and Dynamics Research? (A Perspective)

As high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of ribosomes proliferate, at resolutions that allow atomic interactions to be visualized, this article attempts to give a perspective on the way research on ribosome structure and dynamics may be headed, and particularly the new opportunities we have gained through recent advances in cryo-EM. It is pointed out that single-molecule FRET and cryo-EM form natural complements in the characterization of ribosome dynamics and transitions among equilibrating states of in vitro translational systems.

Generalized single-particle cryo-EM--a historical perspective

This is a brief account of the earlier history of single-particle cryo-EM of biological molecules lacking internal symmetry, which goes back to the mid-seventies. The emphasis of this review is on the mathematical concepts and computational approaches. It is written as the field experiences a turning point in the wake of the introduction of digital cameras capable of single electron counting, and near-atomic resolution can be reached even for smaller molecules.

CryoEM at IUCrJ: a new era

In this overview, we briefly outline recent advances in electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) and explain why the journal IUCrJ, published by the International Union of Crystallography, could provide a natural home for publications covering many present and future developments in the cryoEM field.

History of the ribosome and the origin of translation

We present a molecular-level model for the origin and evolution of the translation system, using a 3D comparative method. In this model, the ribosome evolved by accretion, recursively adding expansion segments, iteratively growing, subsuming, and freezing the rRNA. Functions of expansion segments in the ancestral ribosome are assigned by correspondence with their functions in the extant ribosome. The model explains the evolution of the large ribosomal subunit, the small ribosomal subunit, tRNA, and mRNA. Prokaryotic ribosomes evolved in six phases, sequentially acquiring capabilities for RNA folding, catalysis, subunit association, correlated evolution, decoding, energy-driven translocation, and surface proteinization. Two additional phases exclusive to eukaryotes led to tentacle-like rRNA expansions. In this model, ribosomal proteinization was a driving force for the broad adoption of proteins in other biological processes. The exit tunnel was clearly a central theme of all phases of ribosomal evolution and was continuously extended and rigidified. In the primitive noncoding ribosome, proto-mRNA and the small ribosomal subunit acted as cofactors, positioning the activated ends of tRNAs within the peptidyl transferase center. This association linked the evolution of the large and small ribosomal subunits, proto-mRNA, and tRNA.

Structural Basis for the Decoding Mechanism

The bacterial ribosome is a complex macromolecular machine that deciphers the genetic code with remarkable fidelity. During the elongation phase of protein synthesis, the ribosome selects aminoacyl-tRNAs as dictated by the canonical base pairing between the anticodon of the tRNA and the codon of the messenger RNA. The ribosome's participation in tRNA selection is active rather than passive, using conformational changes of conserved bases of 16S rRNA to directly monitor the geometry of codon-anticodon base pairing. The tRNA selection process is divided into an initial selection step and a subsequent proofreading step, with the utilization of two sequential steps increasing the discriminating power of the ribosome far beyond that which could be achieved based on the thermodynamics of codon-anticodon base pairing stability. The accuracy of decoding is impaired by a number of antibiotics and can be either increased or decreased by various mutations in either subunit of the ribosome, in elongation factor Tu, and in tRNA. In this chapter we will review our current understanding of various forces that determine the accuracy of decoding by the bacterial ribosome.

Dynamic contact network between ribosomal subunits enables rapid large-scale rotation during spontaneous translocation

During ribosomal translation, the two ribosomal subunits remain associated through intersubunit bridges, despite rapid large-scale intersubunit rotation. The absence of large barriers hindering rotation is a prerequisite for rapid rotation. Here, we investigate how such a flat free-energy landscape is achieved, in particular considering the large shifts the bridges undergo at the periphery. The dynamics and energetics of the intersubunit contact network are studied using molecular dynamics simulations of the prokaryotic ribosome in intermediate states of spontaneous translocation. Based on observed occupancies of intersubunit contacts, residues were grouped into clusters. In addition to the central contact clusters, peripheral clusters were found to maintain strong steady interactions by changing contacts in the course of rotation. The peripheral B1 bridges are stabilized by a changing contact pattern of charged residues that adapts to the rotational state. In contrast, steady strong interactions of the B4 bridge are ensured by the flexible helix H34 following the movement of protein S15. The tRNAs which span the subunits contribute to the intersubunit binding enthalpy to an almost constant degree, despite their different positions in the ribosome. These mechanisms keep the intersubunit interaction strong and steady during rotation, thereby preventing dissociation and enabling rapid rotation.

Structural dynamics of ribosome subunit association studied by mixing-spraying time-resolved cryogenic electron microscopy

Ribosomal subunit association is a key checkpoint in translation initiation but its structural dynamics are poorly understood. Here, we used a recently developed mixing-spraying, time-resolved, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) method to study ribosomal subunit association in the sub-second time range. We have improved this method and increased the cryo-EM data yield by tenfold. Pre-equilibrium states of the association reaction were captured by reacting the mixture of ribosomal subunits for 60 ms and 140 ms. We also identified three distinct ribosome conformations in the associated ribosomes. The observed proportions of these conformations are the same in these two time points, suggesting that ribosomes equilibrate among the three conformations within less than 60 ms upon formation. Our results demonstrate that the mixing-spraying method can capture multiple states of macromolecules during a sub-second reaction. Other fast processes, such as translation initiation, decoding, and ribosome recycling, are amenable to study with this method.

Structural snapshots of actively translating human ribosomes

Macromolecular machines, such as the ribosome, undergo large-scale conformational changes during their functional cycles. Although their mode of action is often compared to that of mechanical machines, a crucial difference is that, at the molecular dimension, thermodynamic effects dominate functional cycles, with proteins fluctuating stochastically between functional states defined by energetic minima on an energy landscape. Here, we have used cryo-electron microscopy to image ex-vivo-derived human polysomes as a source of actively translating ribosomes. Multiparticle refinement and 3D variability analysis allowed us to visualize a variety of native translation intermediates. Significantly populated states include not only elongation cycle intermediates in pre- and post-translocational states, but also eEF1A-containing decoding and termination/recycling complexes. Focusing on the post-translocational state, we extended this assessment to the single-residue level, uncovering striking details of ribosome-ligand interactions and identifying both static and functionally important dynamic elements.

Systematic methods for defining coarse-grained maps in large biomolecules

Large biomolecules are involved in many important biological processes. It would be difficult to use large-scale atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the functional motions of these systems because of the computational expense. Therefore various coarse-grained (CG) approaches have attracted rapidly growing interest, which enable simulations of large biomolecules over longer effective timescales than all-atom MD simulations. The first issue in CG modeling is to construct CG maps from atomic structures. In this chapter, we review the recent development of a novel and systematic method for constructing CG representations of arbitrarily complex biomolecules, in order to preserve large-scale and functionally relevant essential dynamics (ED) at the CG level. In this ED-CG scheme, the essential dynamics can be characterized by principal component analysis (PCA) on a structural ensemble, or elastic network model (ENM) of a single atomic structure. Validation and applications of the method cover various biological systems, such as multi-domain proteins, protein complexes, and even biomolecular machines. The results demonstrate that the ED-CG method may serve as a very useful tool for identifying functional dynamics of large biomolecules at the CG level.

Structural basis for the interaction of protein S1 with the Escherichia coli ribosome

In Gram-negative bacteria, the multi-domain protein S1 is essential for translation initiation, as it recruits the mRNA and facilitates its localization in the decoding centre. In sharp contrast to its functional importance, S1 is still lacking from the high-resolution structures available for Escherichia coli and Thermus thermophilus ribosomes and thus the molecular mechanism governing the S1-ribosome interaction has still remained elusive. Here, we present the structure of the N-terminal S1 domain D1 when bound to the ribosome at atomic resolution by using a combination of NMR, X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. Together with biochemical assays, the structure reveals that S1 is anchored to the ribosome primarily via a stabilizing π-stacking interaction within the short but conserved N-terminal segment that is flexibly connected to domain D1. This interaction is further stabilized by salt bridges involving the zinc binding pocket of protein S2. Overall, this work provides one hitherto enigmatic piece in the 'ribosome puzzle', namely the detailed molecular insight into the topology of the S1-ribosome interface. Moreover, our data suggest novel mechanisms that have the potential to modulate protein synthesis in response to environmental cues by changing the affinity of S1 for the ribosome.

Initial bridges between two ribosomal subunits are formed within 9.4 milliseconds, as studied by time-resolved cryo-EM

Association of the two ribosomal subunits during the process of translation initiation is a crucial step of protein synthesis. The two subunits (30S and 50S) of the bacterial 70S ribosome are held together by 12 dynamic bridges involving RNA-RNA, RNA-protein, and protein-protein interactions. The process of bridge formation, such as whether all these bridges are formed simultaneously or in a sequential order, is poorly understood. To understand such processes, we have developed and implemented a class of microfluidic devices that mix two components to completion within 0.4 ms and spray the mixture in the form of microdroplets onto an electron microscopy grid, yielding a minimum reaction time of 9.4 ms before cryofixation. Using these devices, we have obtained cryo-EM data corresponding to reaction times of 9.4 and 43 ms and have determined 3D structures of ribosomal subunit association intermediates. Molecular analyses of the cryo-EM maps reveal that eight intersubunit bridges (bridges B1a, B1b, B2a, B2b, B3, B7a, B7b, and B8) form within 9.4 ms, whereas the remaining four bridges (bridges B2c, B4, B5, and B6) take longer than 43 ms to form, suggesting that bridges are formed in a stepwise fashion. Our approach can be used to characterize sequences of various dynamic functional events on complex macromolecular assemblies such as ribosomes.