Base changes at position 792 of Escherichia coli 16S rRNA affect assembly of 70S ribosomes

Analysis of ribosomal inter-subunit sites as targets for complementary oligonucleotides

The bacterial ribosome has many functional ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sites. We have computationally analyzed the rRNA regions involved in the interactions between the 30S and 50S subunits. Various properties of rRNA such as solvent accessibility, opening energy, hydrogen bonding pattern, van der Waals energy, thermodynamic stability were determined. Based on these properties we selected rRNA targets for hybridization with complementary 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides (2'-OMe RNAs). Further, the inhibition efficiencies of the designed ribosome-interfering 2'-OMe RNAs were tested using a β-galactosidase assay in a translation system based on the E. coli extract. Several of the oligonucleotides displayed IC₅₀ values below 1 μM, which were in a similar range as those determined for known ribosome inhibitors, tetracycline and pactamycin. The calculated opening and van der Waals stacking energies of the rRNA targets correlated best with the inhibitory efficiencies of 2'-OMe RNAs. Moreover, the binding affinities of several oligonucleotides to both 70S ribosomes and isolated 30S and 50S subunits were measured using a double-filter retention assay. Further, we applied heat-shock chemical transformation to introduce 2'-OMe RNAs to E. coli cells and verify inhibition of bacterial growth. We observed high correlation between IC₅₀ in the cell-free extract and bacterial growth inhibition. Overall, the results suggest that the computational analysis of potential rRNA targets within the conformationally dynamic regions of inter-subunit bridges can help design efficient antisense oligomers to probe the ribosome function.

Mutations in the intersubunit bridge regions of 16S rRNA affect decoding and subunit-subunit interactions on the 70S ribosome

The small and large subunits of the ribosome are held together by a series of bridges, involving RNA-RNA, RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions. Some 12 bridges have been described for the Escherichia coli 70S ribosome. In this work, we have targeted for mutagenesis, some of the 16S rRNA residues involved in the formation of intersubunit bridges B3, B5, B6, B7b and B8. In addition to effects on subunit association, the mutant ribosomes also affect the fidelity of translation; bridges B5, B6 and B8 increase decoding errors during elongation, while disruption of bridges B3 and B7b alters the stringency of start codon selection. Moreover, mutations in the bridge B5, B6 and B8 regions of 16S rRNA also correct the growth and decoding defects associated with alterations in ribosomal protein S12. These results link bridges B5, B6 and B8 with the decoding process and are consistent with the recently described location of translation factor EF-Tu on the ribosome and the proposed involvement of h14 in activating Guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis by aminoacyl-tRNA • EF-Tu • GTP. These observations are consistent with a model in which bridges B5, B6 and B8 contribute to the fidelity of translation by modulating GTP hydrolysis by aminoacyl-tRNA • EF-Tu • GTP ternary complexes during the elongation phase of protein synthesis.

Functional investigation of residue G791 of Escherichia coli 16S rRNA: implication of initiation factor 1 in the restoration of P-site function

Using a specialized ribosome system, previous studies have identified G791 in Escherichia coli 16S rRNA as an invariant and essential residue for ribosome function. To investigate the functional role of G791, we searched for multicopy suppressors that partially restored the protein synthesis ability of mutant ribosomes bearing a G to U substitution at position 791 (U791 ribosomes). Analyses of isolated multicopy suppressors showed that overexpression of initiation factor 1 (IF1) enhanced the protein synthesis ability of U791 ribosomes. In contrast, overexpression of initiation factor 2 (IF2) or IF3 did not enhance the protein synthesis ability of wild-type or U791 ribosomes, and overexpression of IF1 did not affect the function of wild-type or mutant ribosomes bearing nucleotide substitutions in other regions of 16S rRNA. Analyses of sucrose gradient profiles of ribosomes showed that overexpression of IF1 marginally enhanced the subunit association of U791 ribosomes and indicated lower binding affinity of U791 ribosomes to IF1. Our findings suggest the involvement of IF1 in the restoration of the P-site function that was impaired by a nucleotide substitution at residue G791.

Probing RNA hairpins with cobalt(III)hexammine and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

In this work, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) was employed to study the interactions of cobalt(III) hexammine, Co(NH3)6(3+), with five RNA hairpins representing the 790 loop of 16S ribosomal RNA and 1920 loop of 23S ribosomal RNA. The RNAs varied in mismatch identity (G.U versus A.C) and level of base modification (pseudouridine versus uridine). Co(NH3)6(3+) binding was observed with the four RNA hairpins that contained a G.U wobble pair in the stem region. ESI MS revealed 1:1 and 1:2 complex formation with all RNAs. Weaker binding was observed with the fifth RNA hairpin that contained an A.C wobble pair in the stem region. The effects of pH on Co(NH3)6(3+) binding were also examined.

Functional epitopes at the ribosome subunit interface

The ribosome is a 2.5-MDa molecular machine that synthesizes cellular proteins encoded in mRNAs. The 30S and 50S subunits of the ribosome associate through structurally defined intersubunit bridges burying 6,000 A(2), 80% of which is buried in conserved RNA-RNA interactions. Intersubunit bridges bind translation factors, may coordinate peptide bond formation and translocation and may be actively remodeled in the post-termination complex, but the functional importance of numerous 30S bridge nucleotides had been unknown. We carried out large-scale combinatorial mutagenesis and in vivo selections on 30S nucleotides that form RNA-RNA intersubunit bridges in the Escherichia coli ribosome. We determined the covariation and functional importance of bridge nucleotides, allowing comparison of the structural interface and phylogenetic data to the functional epitope. Our results reveal how information for ribosome function is partitioned across bridges, and suggest a subset of nucleotides that may have measurable effects on individual steps of the translational cycle.

Ribosomal RNA and ribosomal proteins in corynebacteria

Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) (16S, 23S, 5S) encoded by the rrn operons and ribosomal proteins play a very important role in the formation of ribosomes and in the control of translation. Five copies of the rrn operon were reported by hybridization studies in Brevibacterium (Corynebacterium) lactofermentum but the genome sequence of Corynebacterium glutamicum provided evidence for six rrn copies. All six copies of the C. glutamicum 16S rRNA have a size of 1523 bp and each of the six copies of the 5S contain 120 bp whereas size differences are found between the six copies of the 23S rRNA. The anti-Shine-Dalgarno sequence at the 3'-end of the 16S rRNA was 5'-CCUCCUUUC-3'. Each rrn operon is transcribed as a large precursor rRNA (pre-rRNA) that is processed by RNaseIII and other RNases at specific cleavage boxes that have been identified in the C. glutamicum pre-rRNA. A secondary structure of the C. glutamicum 16S rRNA is proposed. The 16S rRNA sequence has been used as a molecular evolution clock allowing the deduction of a phylogenetic tree of all Corynebacterium species. In C. glutamicum, there are 11 ribosomal protein gene clusters encoding 42 ribosomal proteins. The organization of some of the ribosomal protein gene cluster is identical to that of Escherichia coli whereas in other clusters the organization of the genes is rather different. Some specific ribosomal protein genes are located in a different cluster in C. glutamicum when compared with E. coli, indicating that the control of expression of these genes is different in E. coli and C. glutamicum.

Differential inhibition of 30S and 70S translation initiation complexes on leaderless mRNA by kasugamycin

In contrast to canonical mRNAs, translation of leaderless mRNA has been previously reported to continue in the presence of the antibiotic kasugamycin. Here, we have studied the effect of the antibiotic on determinants known to affect translation of leadered and leaderless mRNAs. Kasugamycin did not affect the Shine-Dalgarno (SD)-anti-SD (aSD) interaction or the function of translation initiation factor 3 (IF3). Thus, the preferential translation of leaderless mRNA in the presence of kasugamycin can neither be attributed to an expanding pool of 30S subunits with a "blocked" aSD nor to a lack of action of IF3, which has been shown to discriminate against translation initiation at 5'-terminal start codons. Using toeprinting, we observed that on leaderless mRNA 70S in contrast to 30S translation initiation complexes are comparatively resistant to the antibiotic. These results taken together with the known preference of 70S ribosomes for 5'-terminal AUGs lend support to the hypothesis that translation of leaderless mRNAs may as well proceed via an alternative initiation pathway accomplished by intact 70S ribosomes.

Construction and analysis of base-paired regions of the 16S rRNA in the 30S ribosomal subunit determined by constraint satisfaction molecular modelling

Structure models for each of the secondary structure regions from the Escherichia coli 16S rRNA (58 separate elements) were constructed using a constraint satisfaction modelling program to determine which helices deviated from classic A-form geometry. Constraints for each rRNA element included the comparative secondary structure, H-bonding conformations predicted from patterns of base-pair covariation, tertiary interactions predicted from covariation analysis, chemical probing data, rRNA-rRNA crosslinking information, and coordinates from solved structures. Models for each element were built using the MC-SYM modelling algorithm and subsequently were subjected to energy minimization to correct unfavorable geometry. Approximately two-thirds of the structures that result from the input data are very similar to A-form geometry. In the remaining instances, the presence of internal loops and bulges, some sequences (and sequence covariants) and accessory information require deviation from A-form geometry. The structures of regions containing more complex base-pairing arrangements including the central pseudoknot, the 530 region, and the pseudoknot involving base-pairing between G570-U571/A865-C866 and G861-C862/G867-C868 were predicted by this approach. These molecular models provide insight into the connection between patterns of H-bonding, the presence of unpaired nucleotides, and the overall geometry of each element.

Crystal structures of complexes of the small ribosomal subunit with tetracycline, edeine and IF3

The small ribosomal subunit is responsible for the decoding of genetic information and plays a key role in the initiation of protein synthesis. We analyzed by X-ray crystallography the structures of three different complexes of the small ribosomal subunit of Thermus thermophilus with the A-site inhibitor tetracycline, the universal initiation inhibitor edeine and the C-terminal domain of the translation initiation factor IF3. The crystal structure analysis of the complex with tetracycline revealed the functionally important site responsible for the blockage of the A-site. Five additional tetracycline sites resolve most of the controversial biochemical data on the location of tetracycline. The interaction of edeine with the small subunit indicates its role in inhibiting initiation and shows its involvement with P-site tRNA. The location of the C-terminal domain of IF3, at the solvent side of the platform, sheds light on the formation of the initiation complex, and implies that the anti-association activity of IF3 is due to its influence on the conformational dynamics of the small ribosomal subunit.

Initiation factor 3-induced structural changes in the 30 S ribosomal subunit and in complexes containing tRNA(f)(Met) and mRNA

Initiation factor 3 (IF3) acts to switch the decoding preference of the small ribosomal subunit from elongator to initiator tRNA. The effects of IF3 on the 30 S ribosomal subunit and on the 30 S.mRNA. tRNA(f)(Met) complex were determined by UV-induced RNA crosslinking. Three intramolecular crosslinks in the 16 S rRNA (of the 14 that were monitored by gel electrophoresis) are affected by IF3. These are the crosslinks between C1402 and C1501 within the decoding region, between C967xC1400 joining the end loop of a helix of 16 S rRNA domain III and the decoding region, and between U793 and G1517 joining the 790 end loop of 16 S rRNA domain II and the end loop of the terminal helix. These changes occur even in the 30 S.IF3 complex, indicating they are not mediated through tRNA(f)(Met) or mRNA. UV-induced crosslinks occur between 16 S rRNA position C1400 and tRNA(f)(Met) position U34, in tRNA(f)(Met) the nucleotide adjacent to the 5' anticodon nucleotide, and between 16 S rRNA position C1397 and the mRNA at positions +9 and +10 (where A of the initiator AUG codon is +1). The presence of IF3 reduces both of these crosslinks by twofold and fourfold, respectively. The binding site for IF3 involves the 790 region, some other parts of the 16 S rRNA domain II and the terminal stem/loop region. These are located in the front bottom part of the platform structure in the 30 S subunit, a short distance from the decoding region. The changes that occur in the decoding region, even in the absence of mRNA and tRNA, may be induced by IF3 from a short distance or could be caused by the second IF3 structural domain.

Positions in the 30S ribosomal subunit proximal to the 790 loop as determined by phenanthroline cleavage

Positioning rRNA within the ribosome remains a challenging problem. Such positioning is critical to understanding ribosome function, as various rRNA regions interact to form suitable binding sites for ligands, such as tRNA and mRNA. We have used phenanthroline, a chemical nuclease, as a proximity probe, to help elucidate the regions of rRNA that are near neighbors of the stem-loop structure centering at nt 790 in the 16S rRNA of the Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunit. Using phenanthroline covalently attached to a DNA oligomer complementary to nt 787-795, we found that nt 582-584, 693-694, 787-790, and 795-797 were cleaved robustly and must lie within about 15 A of the tethered site at the 5' end of the DNA oligomer, which is adjacent to nt 795 of 16S rRNA.

Nucleotides in 16S rRNA protected by the association of 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits

We have studied the interaction of 16S rRNA in 30S subunits with 50S subunits using a series of chemical probes that monitor the accessibility of the RNA bases and backbone. The probes include 1-cyclohexyl-3-(2-morpholinoethyl) carbodiimide metho-p-toluene sulfonate (CMCT; to probe U at N-3 and G at N-1), diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC; to probe A at N-7), dimethyl sulfate (DMS; to probe A at N-1, and C at N-3), kethoxal (to probe G at N-1 and N-2), hydroxyl radicals generated by free Fe(II)-EDTA (to probe the backbone ribose groups) and Pb(II). The sites of reaction were identified by primer extension of the probed RNA. Association of the subunits protects the bases of 11 nucleotides and the ribose groups of over 90 nucleotides of 16S rRNA. The nucleotides protected from the base-specific probes are often adjacent to one another and surrounded by sugar-phosphate backbone protections; thus, the results obtained with the different probes confirmed each other. Most of the protected nucleotides occur in five extended-stem-loop structures around positions 250, 700, 790, 900, and 1408-1495. These regions are located in the platform and bottom of the subunit in the general vicinity of inter-subunit bridges that are visible in reconstructed electron micrographs. Our results provide an extensive map of the nucleotides in 16S rRNA that are likely to be involved in subunit-subunit interactions.

Translation initiation factor 3 antagonizes authentic start codon selection on leaderless mRNAs

In this study, we have examined the influence of initiation factors on translation initiation of leaderless mRNAs whose 5'-terminal residues are the A of the AUG initiating codon. A 1:1 ratio of initiation factors to ribosomes abolished ternary complex formation at the authentic start codon of different leaderless mRNAs. Supporting this observation, in vitro translation assays using limiting ribosome concentrations with competing leaderless lambda cl and Escherichia coli ompA mRNAs, the latter containing a canonical ribosome binding site, revealed reduced cl synthesis relative to OmpA in the presence of added initiation factors. Using in vitro toeprinting and in vitro translation assays, we show that this effect can be attributed to IF3. Moreover, in vivo studies revealed that the translational efficiency of a leaderless reporter gene is decreased with increased IF3 levels. These studies are corroborated by the observed increased translational efficiency of a leaderless reporter construct in an infC mutant strain unable to discriminate against non-standard start codons. These results suggest that, in the absence of a leader or a Shine-Dalgarno sequence, the function(s) of IF3 limits stable 30S ternary complex formation.

Neighborhood of 16S rRNA nucleotides U788/U789 in the 30S ribosomal subunit determined by site-directed crosslinking

Site-specific photo crosslinking has been used to investigate the RNA neighborhood of 16S rRNA positions U788/ U789 in Escherichia coli 30S subunits. For these studies, site-specific psoralen (SSP) which contains a sulfhydryl group on a 17 A side chain was first added to nucleotides U788/U789 using a complementary guide DNA by annealing and phototransfer. Modified RNA was purified from the DNA and unmodified RNA. For some experiments, the SSP, which normally crosslinks at an 8 A distance, was derivitized with azidophenacylbromide (APAB) resulting in the photoreactive azido moiety at a maximum of 25 A from the 4' position on psoralen (SSP25APA). 16S rRNA containing SSP, SSP25APA or control 16S rRNA were reconstituted and 30S particles were isolated. The reconstituted subunits containing SSP or SSP25APA had normal protein composition, were active in tRNA binding and had the usual pattern of chemical reactivity except for increased kethoxal reactivity at G791 and modest changes in four other regions. Irradiation of the derivatized 30S subunits in activation buffer produced several intramolecular RNA crosslinks that were visualized and separated by gel electrophoresis and characterized by primer extension. Four major crosslink sites made by the SSP reagent were identified at positions U561/U562, U920/U921, C866 and U723; a fifth major crosslink at G693 was identified when the SSP25APA reagent was used. A number of additional crosslinks of lower frequency were seen, particularly with the APA reagent. These data indicate a central location close to the decoding region and central pseudoknot for nucleotides U788/U789 in the activated 30S subunit.

Inhibition of ribosomal subunit association and protein synthesis by oligonucleotides corresponding to defined regions of 18S rRNA and 5S rRNA

Strong complementarity between a conserved sequence near the 3' end of 18S (16S) rRNA of the small ribosomal subunit and a conserved sequence in the 5S rRNA of the large ribosomal subunit supported the suggestion that base-paired interaction between the two RNA molecules could be responsible for the reversible association of ribosomal subunits during protein synthesis. If this were true then oligonucleotides corresponding to defined regions of the 18S and 5S rRNAs should have profound effects on the association of ribosomal subunits and protein synthesis. In this report we show that oligonucleotides, corresponding to a defined region of eukaryotic 18S rRNA, when bound to wheat embryo 60S ribosomal subunits, inhibited association with 40S ribosomal subunits and also inhibited in vitro protein synthesis. Similarly oligonucleotides corresponding to a defined region of 5S rRNA when bound to 40S ribosomal subunits also inhibited the formation of 80S ribosomes and in vitro protein synthesis. The minimum sequences responsible for the inhibition of ribosomal subunit association and in vitro protein synthesis corresponded to the 5' strand of the m2(6)A m2(6)A hairpin structure near the 3' end of 18S rRNA and nucleotides 91-100 of 5S rRNA which are complementary to each other. Sequences at identical positions of Escherichia coli 16S and 5S rRNAs are also complementary to each other.

Pactamycin resistance mutations in functional sites of 16 S rRNA

Mutants of an archaeon Halobacterium halobium, resistant to the universal inhibitor of translation, pactamycin, were isolated. Pactamycin resistance correlated with the presence of mutations in the 16 S rRNA gene of H. halobium single rRNA operon. Three types of mutations were found in pactamycin resistant cells, A694G, C795U and C796U (Escherichia coli 16 S rRNA numeration) located distantly in rRNA primary structure but probably neighboring each other in the three-dimensional structure. Pactamycin resistance mutations either overlapped (C795U) or were located in the immediate vicinity of nucleotides protected by the drug in E. coli and H. halobium 16 S rRNA indicating that corresponding rRNA sites might be directly involved in pactamycin binding. Ribosomal functions were not affected significantly either by mutation of C795 (one of the positions protected by the P-site-bound tRNA), or by mutations of A694 and C796 (which neighbor nucleotides protected by tRNA) suggesting that tRNA-dependent protections of C795 and G693 are explained by a conformational change in the ribosome induced by the P-site-bound tRNA. A novel mode of pactamycin action is proposed suggesting that pactamycin restricts structural transitions in 16 S rRNA preventing the ribosome from adopting a functional conformation induced by tRNA binding.

Mapping the inside of the ribosome with an RNA helical ruler

The structure of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in the ribosome was probed with hydroxyl radicals generated locally from iron(II) tethered to the 5' ends of anticodon stem-loop analogs (ASLs) of transfer RNA. The ASLs, ranging in length from 4 to 33 base pairs, bound to the ribosome in a messenger RNA-dependent manner and directed cleavage to specific regions of the 16S, 23S, and 5S rRNA chains. The positions and intensities of cleavage depended on whether the ASLs were bound to the ribosomal A or P site, and on the lengths of their stems. These data predict the three-dimensional locations of the rRNA targets relative to the positions of A- and P- site transfer RNAs inside the ribosome.

Decoding fidelity at the ribosomal A and P sites: influence of mutations in three different regions of the decoding domain in 16S rRNA

The involvement of defined regions of Escherichia coli 16S rRNA in the fidelity of decoding has been examined by analyzing the effects of rRNA mutations on misreading errors at the ribosomal A and P sites. Mutations in the 1400-1500 region, the 530 loop and in the 1050/1200 region (helix 34) all caused readthrough of stop codons and frameshifting during elongation and stimulated initiation from non-AUG codons at the initiation of protein synthesis. These results indicate the involvement of all three regions of 16S rRNA in decoding functions at both the A and P sites. The functional similarity of all three mutant classes are consistent with close physical proximity of the 1400- 1500 region, the 530 loop and helix 34 and suggest that all three regions of rRNA comprise a decoding domain in the ribosome.

Sites of ribosomal RNAs involved in the subunit association of tight and loose couple ribosomes

It was demonstrated previously by kethoxal treatment studies that tight (TC) and loose (LC) couple ribosomes use different sites of the 16 S and 23 S RNAs for subunit association (Burma, D. P., Srivastava, A. K., Srivastava, S., and Dash, D. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 10517-10525). To localize these sites, a number of oligodeoxynucleotides complementary to the suspected sites of the 16 S and 23 S RNAs were synthesized, and their binding to ribosomes and effects on subunit association were studied. Some of the probes inhibit the association of both TC and LC ribosomes, some inhibit the association of TC but not LC ribosomes, and some inhibit the association of LC but not TC ribosomes. It appears that both TC and LC ribosomes use one common site of association, bases 818-823 of the 16 S and 2308-2313 of the 23 S RNA. The second site, 788-793 of the 16 S RNA and 2753-2758 of the 23 S RNA for TC ribosomes, and 783-791 of the 16 S RNA and 2295-2303 of the 23 S RNA for LC ribosomes, is not shared. This suggests a spatial movement of the ribosomal subunits with respect to one another and lends further support to the model of translocation based on the interconversion of TC and LC ribosomes.

Growth properties associated with A-U replacement of specific G-C base pairs in 16S rRNA from Escherichia coli

Mutations that disrupt each of seven specific G-C base pairs in 16S rRNA from Escherichia coli confer loss of expression of a plasmid-encoded 16S rRNA selectable marker (spectinomycin resistance). However, A-U replacement of G-C base pairs at nucleotides 359/52 or 1292/1245 in 16S rRNA permits normal expression of the marker. By contrast, A-U replacements at 146/176, 153/168, 350/339, or 1293/1244 are associated with loss of expression of the marker. These genetic studies are designed to determine the importance of specific base pairs by assessment of the structural and functional impairments of 16S rRNA molecules resulting from expression of base pair substitutions at these positions.

The site-specific DNA endonuclease encoded by a group I intron in the Chlamydomonas pallidostigmatica chloroplast small subunit rRNA gene introduces a single-strand break at low concentrations of Mg2+

Two group I introns (CpSSU.1 and CpSSU.2) that each potentially encode a protein with two copies of the LAGLI-DADG motif were identified in the Chlamydomonas pallidostigmatica chloroplast small subunit rRNA gene. They both belong to subgroup IA3 and represent novel insertion positions in this gene (sites 508 and 793 in the Escherichia coli 16S rRNA). The proteins encoded by the two introns were synthesized in vitro and tested for their ability to cleave the homing site of their respective introns. Only the CpSSU.1-encoded protein (I-CpaII) was found to display specific DNA endonuclease activity. At 0.1 mM MgCl2, I-CpaII nicks only the bottom (transcribed) DNA strand, but at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 mM, it cleaves both DNA strands (leaving a 4 nucleotide single-stranded extension with 3'-OH overhangs) while preferentially nicking the bottom strand. The rate of cleavage of the top strand increases with increasing concentration of MgCl2. The preliminary data derived from these endonuclease assays suggest that the mode of DNA cleavage by I-CpaII is directed by the availability of Mg2+ and the affinity of different binding sites for this cation.

Probing the conformational changes in 5.8S, 18S and 28S rRNA upon association of derived subunits into complete 80S ribosomes

The participation of 18S, 5.8S and 28S ribosomal RNA in subunit association was investigated by chemical modification and primer extension. Derived 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits isolated from mouse Ehrlich ascites cells were reassociated into 80S particles. These ribosomes were treated with dimethyl sulphate and 1-cyclohexyl-3-(morpholinoethyl) carbodiimide metho-p-toluene sulfonate to allow specific modification of single strand bases in the rRNAs. The modification pattern in the 80S ribosome was compared to that of the derived ribosomal subunits. Formation of complete 80S ribosomes altered the extent of modification of a limited number of bases in the rRNAs. The majority of these nucleotides were located to phylogenetically conserved regions in the rRNA but the reactivity of some bases in eukaryote specific sequences was also changed. The nucleotides affected by subunit association were clustered in the central and 3'-minor domains of 18S rRNA as well as in domains I, II, IV and V of 5.8/28S rRNA. Most of the bases became less accessible to modification in the 80S ribosome, suggesting that these bases were involved in subunit interaction. Three regions of the rRNAs, the central domain of 18S rRNA, 5.8S rRNA and domain V in 28S rRNA, contained bases that showed increased accessibility for modification after subunit association. The increased reactivity indicates that these regions undergo structural changes upon subunit association.

Structure-function analysis of Escherichia coli translation initiation factor IF3: tyrosine 107 and lysine 110 are required for ribosome binding

Translation initiation factor IF3 is required for peptide chain initiation in Escherichia coli. IF3 binds directly to 30S ribosomal subunits ensuring a constant supply of free 30S subunits for initiation complex formation, participates in the kinetic selection of the correct initiator region of mRNA, and destabilizes initiation complexes containing noninitiator tRNAs. The roles that tyrosine 107 and lysine 110 play in IF3 function were examined by site-directed mutagenesis. Tyrosine 107 was changed to either phenylalanine (Y107F) or leucine (Y107L), and lysine 110 was converted to either arginine (K110R) or leucine (K110L). These single amino acid changes resulted in a reduced affinity of IF3 for 30S subunits. Association equilibrium constants (M-1) for 30S subunit binding were as follows: wild-type, 7.8 x 10(7); Y107F, 4.1 x 10(7); Y107L, 1 x 10(7); K110R, 5.1 x 10(6); K110L, < 1 x 10(2). The mutant IF3s were similarly impaired in their abilities to specifically select initiation complexes containing tRNA(fMet). Toeprint analysis indicated that 5-fold more Y107L or K110R protein was required for proper initiator tRNA selection. K110L protein was unable to mediate this selection even at concentrations up to 10-fold higher than wild type. The results indicate that tyrosine 107 and lysine 110 are critical components of the ribosome binding domain of IF3 and, furthermore, that dissociation of complexes containing noninitiator tRNAs requires prior binding of IF3 to the ribosomes.

Homologies between the contiguous and fragmented rRNAs of the two Plasmodium falciparum extrachromosomal DNAs are limited to core sequences

Plasmodium falciparum contains two extrachromosomal DNAs, a 6 kb linear element and a 35 kb circular DNA; both encode rDNA sequences. The 6 kb element rDNAs comprise fragments of both large and small subunit rRNAs. Comparison of these with corresponding rDNA sequences from the 35 kb DNA and E. coli show that sequences conserved between the three are largely confined to highly conserved core regions; in fact, most of the 6 kb rDNA sequences correspond to core regions. Both the 6 kb element and 35 kb rDNAs show less conservation to each other than to E. coli sequences, suggesting that the two extrachromosomal DNAs of P. falciparum are not closely related. The characteristics of the fragmented rRNAs from the 6 kb element suggest they are functional, possibly in mitochondrial ribosomes.