Ribonuclease P protein structure: evolutionary origins in the translational apparatus

Science. 1998 May 1;280(5364):752-5. doi: 10.1126/science.280.5364.752.

Abstract

The crystal structure of Bacillus subtilis ribonuclease P protein is reported at 2.6 angstroms resolution. This protein binds to ribonuclease P RNA to form a ribonucleoprotein holoenzyme with optimal catalytic activity. Mutagenesis and biochemical data indicate that an unusual left-handed betaalphabeta crossover connection and a large central cleft in the protein form conserved RNA binding sites; a metal binding loop may comprise a third RNA binding site. The unusual topology is partly shared with ribosomal protein S5 and the ribosomal translocase elongation factor G, which suggests evolution from a common RNA binding ancestor in the primordial translational apparatus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus subtilis / enzymology
  • Binding Sites
  • Catalysis
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Endoribonucleases / chemistry*
  • Endoribonucleases / metabolism
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Magnesium / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Peptide Elongation Factor G
  • Peptide Elongation Factors / chemistry
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • RNA, Bacterial / chemistry*
  • RNA, Bacterial / metabolism
  • RNA, Catalytic / chemistry*
  • RNA, Catalytic / metabolism
  • Ribonuclease P
  • Ribosomal Proteins / chemistry
  • Zinc / metabolism

Substances

  • Peptide Elongation Factor G
  • Peptide Elongation Factors
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Catalytic
  • Ribosomal Proteins
  • ribosomal protein S5
  • Endoribonucleases
  • Ribonuclease P
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc

Associated data

  • PDB/1A6F