Helix 69 is key for uniformity during substrate selection on the ribosome

J Biol Chem. 2011 Jul 22;286(29):25604-10. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.256255. Epub 2011 May 27.

Abstract

Structural studies of ribosome complexes with bound tRNAs and release factors show considerable contacts between these factors and helix 69 (H69) of 23 S rRNA. Although biochemical and genetic studies have provided some general insights into the role of H69 in tRNA and RF selection, a detailed understanding of these contributions remains elusive. Here, we present a pre- steady-state kinetic analysis establishing that two distinct regions of H69 make critical contributions to substrate selection. The loop of H69 (A1913) forms contacts necessary for the efficient accommodation of a subset of natural tRNA species, whereas the base of the stem (G1922) is specifically critical for UGA codon recognition by the class 1 release factor RF2. These data define a broad and critical role for this centrally located intersubunit helix (H69) in accurate and efficient substrate recognition by the ribosome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Codon, Terminator / genetics
  • Codon, Terminator / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / chemistry
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutation
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*
  • Peptide Termination Factors / chemistry
  • Peptide Termination Factors / metabolism
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Protein Conformation
  • RNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • RNA, Bacterial / metabolism
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / chemistry*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / metabolism*
  • RNA, Transfer / genetics
  • RNA, Transfer / metabolism
  • Ribosomes / chemistry
  • Ribosomes / genetics
  • Ribosomes / metabolism*
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Codon, Terminator
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Peptide Termination Factors
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 23S
  • prfB protein, E coli
  • RNA, Transfer