Post-termination complex disassembly by ribosome recycling factor, a functional tRNA mimic

Ribosome recycling factor (RRF) together with elongation factor G (EF-G) disassembles the post- termination ribosomal complex. Inhibitors of translocation, thiostrepton, viomycin and aminoglycosides, inhibited the release of tRNA and mRNA from the post-termination complex. In contrast, fusidic acid and a GTP analog that fix EF-G to the ribosome, allowing one round of tRNA translocation, inhibited mRNA but not tRNA release from the complex. The release of tRNA is a prerequisite for mRNA release but partially takes place with EF-G alone. The data are consistent with the notion that RRF binds to the A-site and is translocated to the P-site, releasing deacylated tRNA from the P- and E-sites. The final step, the release of mRNA, is accompanied by the release of RRF and EF-G from the ribosome. With the model post-termination complex, 70S ribosomes were released from the post-termination complex by the RRF reaction and were then dissociated into subunits by IF3.     

Release of ribosome-bound ribosome recycling factor by elongation factor G

Elongation factor G (EF-G) and ribosome recycling factor (RRF) disassemble post-termination complexes of ribosome, mRNA, and tRNA. RRF forms stable complexes with 70 S ribosomes and 50 S ribosomal subunits. Here, we show that EF-G releases RRF from 70 S ribosomal and model post-termination complexes but not from 50 S ribosomal subunit complexes. The release of bound RRF by EF-G is stimulated by GTP analogues. The EF-G-dependent release occurs in the presence of fusidic acid and viomycin. However, thiostrepton inhibits the release. RRF was shown to bind to EF-G-ribosome complexes in the presence of GTP with much weaker affinity, suggesting that EF-G may move RRF to this position during the release of RRF. On the other hand, RRF did not bind to EF-G-ribosome complexes with fusidic acid, suggesting that EF-G stabilized by fusidic acid does not represent the natural post-termination complex. In contrast, the complexes of ribosome, EF-G and thiostrepton could bind RRF, although with lower affinity. These results suggest that thiostrepton traps an intermediate complex having RRF on a position that clashes with the P/E site bound tRNA. Mutants of EF-G that are impaired for translocation fail to disassemble post-termination complexes and exhibit lower activity in releasing RRF. We propose that the release of ribosome-bound RRF by EF-G is required for post-termination complex disassembly. Before release from the ribosome, the position of RRF on the ribosome will change from the original A/P site to a new location that clashes with tRNA on the P/E site.     

Ribosome recycling factor disassembles the post-termination ribosomal complex independent of the ribosomal translocase activity of elongation factor G

Ribosome recycling factor (RRF) disassembles post-termination ribosomal complexes in concert with elongation factor EF-G freeing the ribosome for a new round of polypeptide synthesis. How RRF interacts with EF-G and disassembles post-termination ribosomes is unknown. RRF is structurally similar to tRNA and is therefore thought to bind to the ribosomal A site and be translocated by EF-G during ribosome disassembly as a mimic of tRNA. However, EF-G variants that remain active in GTP hydrolysis but are defective in tRNA translocation fully activate RRF function in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, RRF and the GTP form of EF-G do not co-occupy the terminating ribosome in vitro; RRF is ejected by EF-G from the preformed complex. These findings suggest that RRF is not a functional mimic of tRNA and disassembles the post-termination ribosomal complex independently of the translocation activity of EF-G.     

Specific interaction between the ribosome recycling factor and the elongation factor G from Mycobacterium tuberculosis mediates peptidyl-tRNA release and ribosome recycling in Escherichia coli

Once the translating ribosomes reach a termination codon, the nascent polypeptide chain is released in a factor-dependent manner. However, the P-site-bound deacylated tRNA and the ribosomes themselves remain bound to the mRNA (post-termination complex). The ribosome recycling factor (RRF) plays a vital role in dissociating this complex. Here we show that the Mycobacterium tuberculosis RRF (MtuRRF) fails to rescue Escherichia coli LJ14, a strain temperature-sensitive for RRF (frr(ts)). More interestingly, co-expression of M.tuberculosis elongation factor G (MtuEFG) with MtuRRF rescues the frr(ts) strain of E.coli. The simultaneous expression of MtuEFG is also needed to cause an enhanced release of peptidyl-tRNAs in E.coli by MtuRRF. These observations provide the first genetic evidence for a functional interaction between RRF and EFG. Both the in vivo and in vitro analyses suggest that RRF does not distinguish between the translating and terminating ribosomes for their dissociation from mRNA. In addition, complementation of E.coli PEM100 (fusA(ts)) with MtuEFG suggests that the mechanism of RRF function is independent of the translocation activity of EFG.     

Heterologous expression of Aquifex aeolicus ribosome recycling factor in Escherichia coli is dominant lethal by forming a complex that lacks functional co-ordination for ribosome disassembly

Recycling the post-termination ribosomal complex requires the co-ordinated effort of the ribosome, ribosome recycling factor (RRF) and elongation factor EF-G. Although Aquifex aeolicus RRF (aaRRF) binds Escherichia coli ribosomes as efficiently as E. coli RRF, the resulting complex is non-functional and dominant lethal in E. coli, even in the presence of homologous A. aeolicus EF-G. These findings suggest that the E. coli post-termination ribosomal complex with aaRRF lacks functional co-ordination with EF-G required for ribosome recycling. A chimeric EF-G (E. coli domains I-III, A. aeolicus domains IV-V) or an A. aeolicus EF-G with distinct mutations in the domain I-II interface could activate aaRRF. Furthermore, novel mutations that localize to one surface of the L-shape structure of aaRRF restored activity in E. coli. These aaRRF mutations are spatially distinct from mutations previously described and suggest a novel active centre for coupling EF-G's G domain motor action to ribosome disassembly.     

Kinetics and thermodynamics of RRF, EF-G, and thiostrepton interaction on the Escherichia coli ribosome

Ribosome recycling factor (RRF) and elongation factor-G (EF-G) are jointly essential for recycling bacterial ribosomes following termination of protein synthesis. Here we present equilibrium and rapid kinetic measurements permitting formulation of a minimal kinetic scheme that accounts quantitatively for RRF and EF-G interaction on the Escherichia coli ribosome. RRF and EF-G (a) each form a binary complex on binding to a bare ribosome which undergoes isomerization to a more stable complex, (b) form mixed ternary complexes on the ribosome in which the affinity for each factor is considerably lower than its affinity for binding to a bare ribosome, and (c) each bind to two sites per ribosome, with EF-G having considerably higher second-site affinity than RRF. Addition of EF-G to the ribosome-RRF complex induces rapid RRF dissociation, at a rate compatible with the rate of ribosome recycling in vivo, but added RRF does not increase the lability of ribosome-bound EF-G. Added thiostrepton slows the initial binding of EF-G, and prevents both formation of the more stable EF-G complex and EF-G-induced RRF dissociation. These findings are relevant for the mechanism of post-termination complex disassembly.     

Mechanism of recycling of post-termination ribosomal complexes in eubacteria: A new role of initiation factor 3

Ribosome recycling is a process which dissociates the post-termination complexes (post-TC) consisting of mRNA-bound ribosomes harbouring deacylated tRNA(s). Ribosome recycling factor (RRF), and elongation factor G (EFG) participate in this crucial process to free the ribosomal subunits for a new round of translation. We discuss the overall pathway of ribosome recycling in eubacteria with especial reference to the important role of the initiation factor 3 (IF3) in this process. Depending on the step(s) at which IF3 function is implicated, three models have been proposed. In model 1, RRF and EFG dissociate the post-TCs into the 50S and 30S subunits, mRNAand tRNA(s). In this model, IF3, which binds to the 30S subunit, merely keeps the dissociated subunits apart by its anti-association activity. In model 2, RRF and EFG separate the 50S subunit from the post-TC. IF3 then dissociates the remaining complex of mRNA, tRNA and the 30S subunit, and keeps the ribosomal subunits apart from each other. However, in model 3, both the genetic and biochemical evidence support a more active role for IF3 even at the step of dissociation of the post-TC by RRF and EFG into the 50S and 30S subunits.     

Structural insights into initial and intermediate steps of the ribosome-recycling process

The ribosome-recycling factor (RRF) and elongation factor-G (EF-G) disassemble the 70S post-termination complex (PoTC) into mRNA, tRNA, and two ribosomal subunits. We have determined cryo-electron microscopic structures of the PoTC·RRF complex, with and without EF-G. We find that domain II of RRF initially interacts with universally conserved residues of the 23S rRNA helices 43 and 95, and protein L11 within the 50S ribosomal subunit. Upon EF-G binding, both RRF and tRNA are driven towards the tRNA-exit (E) site, with a large rotational movement of domain II of RRF towards the 30S ribosomal subunit. During this intermediate step of the recycling process, domain II of RRF and domain IV of EF-G adopt hitherto unknown conformations. Furthermore, binding of EF-G to the PoTC·RRF complex reverts the ribosome from ratcheted to unratcheted state. These results suggest that (i) the ribosomal intersubunit reorganizations upon RRF binding and subsequent EF-G binding could be instrumental in destabilizing the PoTC and (ii) the modes of action of EF-G during tRNA translocation and ribosome-recycling steps are markedly different.     

Interaction of RRF and EF-G from E. coli and T. thermophilus with ribosomes from both origins--insight into the mechanism of the ribosome recycling step

Ribosome recycling factor (RRF), elongation factor-G (EF-G), and ribosomes from Thermus thermophilus (tt-) and Escherichia coli (ec-) were used to study the disassembly mechanism of post-termination ribosomal complexes by these factors. With tt-RRF, ec-EF-G can release bound-tRNA from ec-model post-termination complexes. However, tt-RRF is not released by ec-EF-G from ec-ribosomes. This complex with tt-RRF and ec-ribosomes after the tRNA release by ec-EF-G is regarded as an intermediate of the disassembly reaction. Not only tt-RRF, but also mRNA, cannot be released from ec-ribosomes by tt-RRF and ec-EF-G. These data suggest that the release of RRF from ribosomes is coupled or closely related to the release of mRNA during disassembly of post-termination complexes. With tt-ribosomes, ec-EF-G cannot release ribosome-bound ec-RRF even though they are from the same species, showing that proper interaction of ec-RRF and ec-EF-G does not occur on tt-ribosomes. On the other hand, in contrast to a published report, tt-EF-G functions with ec-RRF to disassemble ec-post-termination complexes. In support of this finding, tt-EF-G translocates peptidyl tRNA on ec-ribosomes and catalyzes ec-ribosome-dependent GTPase, showing that tt-EF-G has in vitro translocation activity with ec-ribosomes. Since tt-EF-G with ec-RRF can release tRNA from ec-post-termination complexes, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that the release of tRNA by RRF and EF-G from post-termination complexes is a result of a translocation-like activity of EF-G on RRF.     

In vivo effect of inactivation of ribosome recycling factor - fate of ribosomes after unscheduled translation downstream of open reading frame

The post-termination ribosomal complex is disassembled by ribosome recycling factor (RRF) and elongation factor G. Without RRF, the ribosome is not released from mRNA at the termination codon and reinitiates translation downstream. This is called unscheduled translation. Here, we show that at the non-permissive temperature of a temperature-sensitive RRF strain, RRF is lost quickly, and some ribosomes reach the 3' end of mRNA. However, instead of accumulating at the 3' end of mRNA, ribosomes are released as monosomes. Some ribosomes are transferred to transfer-messenger RNA from the 3' end of mRNA. The monosomes thus produced are able to translate synthetic homopolymer but not natural mRNA with leader and canonical initiation signal. The pellet containing ribosomes appears to be responsible for rapid but reversible inhibition of most but not all of protein synthesis in vivo closely followed by decrease of cellular RNA and DNA synthesis.     

GTP-independent tRNA Delivery to the Ribosomal P-site by a Novel Eukaryotic Translation Factor

During translation, aminoacyl-tRNAs are delivered to the ribosome by specialized GTPases called translation factors. Here, we report the tRNA binding to the P-site of 40 S ribosomes by a novel GTP-independent factor eIF2D isolated from mammalian cells. The binding of tRNA_i^Met occurs after the AUG codon finds its position in the P-site of 40 S ribosomes, the situation that takes place during initiation complex formation on the hepatitis C virus internal ribosome entry site or on some other specific RNAs (leaderless mRNA and A-rich mRNAs with relaxed scanning dependence). Its activity in tRNA binding with 40 S subunits does not require the presence of the aminoacyl moiety. Moreover, the factor possesses the unique ability to deliver non-Met (elongator) tRNAs into the P-site of the 40 S subunit. The corresponding gene is found in all eukaryotes and includes an SUI1 domain present also in translation initiation factor eIF1. The versatility of translation initiation strategies in eukaryotes is discussed.     

The role of ribosome recycling factor in dissociation of 70S ribosomes into subunits

Protein synthesis is initiated on ribosomal subunits. However, it is not known how 70S ribosomes are dissociated into small and large subunits. Here we show that 70S ribosomes, as well as the model post-termination complexes, are dissociated into stable subunits by cooperative action of three translation factors: ribosome recycling factor (RRF), elongation factor G (EF-G), and initiation factor 3 (IF3). The subunit dissociation is stable enough to be detected by conventional sucrose density gradient centrifugation (SDGC). GTP, but not nonhydrolyzable GTP analog, is essential in this process. We found that RRF and EF-G alone transiently dissociate 70S ribosomes. However, the transient dissociation cannot be detected by SDGC. IF3 stabilizes the dissociation by binding to the transiently formed 30S subunits, preventing re-association back to 70S ribosomes. The three-factor-dependent stable dissociation of ribosomes into subunits completes the ribosome cycle and the resulting subunits are ready for the next round of translation.     

Elongation factor G participates in ribosome disassembly by interacting with ribosome recycling factor at their tRNA-mimicry domains

Elongation factor G (EF-G) is a G protein with motor function that drives two target molecules, a tRNA in the translating ribosome and the ribosome recycling factor (RRF) in the post-termination complex. How G protein motor action is transmitted to RRF is unknown. Thermus thermophilus RRF is nonfunctional in Escherichia coli. It became functional upon introducing a plasmid expressing E. coli EF-G with surface changes in its tRNA-mimic domain or by replacing the E. coli EF-G tRNA-mimic domain by the Thermus domain. Thermus RRF could also be activated by introducing surface substitutions in its anticodon arm-mimic region. These gain-of-function phenotypes depend on the combination of heterologous EF-G and RRF alleles. These mutational studies suggest that EF-G motor action is transmitted to RRF by specific surface contacts between the domains that mimic the anticodon arm.     

Orientation of ribosome recycling factor in the ribosome from directed hydroxyl radical probing

Ribosome recycling factor (RRF) disassembles posttermination complexes in conjunction with elongation factor EF-G, liberating ribosomes for further rounds of translation. The striking resemblance of its L-shaped structure to that of tRNA has suggested that the mode of action of RRF may be based on mimicry of tRNA. Directed hydroxyl radical probing of 16S and 23S rRNA from Fe(II) tethered to ten positions on the surface of E. coli RRF constrains it to a well-defined location in the subunit interface cavity. Surprisingly, the orientation of RRF in the ribosome differs markedly from any of those previously observed for tRNA, suggesting that structural mimicry does not necessarily reflect functional mimicry.     

Functional mapping of ribosome-contact sites in the ribosome recycling factor: a structural view from a tRNA mimic

Ribosome recycling factor (RRF) is required for disassembly of the posttermination complex of the ribosome after release of polypeptides. The crystal structure of RRF resembles a tRNA shape, with an architecturally different flexibility compared with tRNA, but its structure-and-function relationships are unknown. We here found that an RRF variant defective in ribosome binding regains the binding capacity through 20 independent secondary changes occurring in three topologically distinct regions of RRF. Because two of these regions are equivalent to the tip of the anticodon stem and the upper surface of the acceptor stem of tRNA, RRF may interact with the ribosome in a way similar to tRNA, spanning 30S and 50S subunits, to exert its action for splitting the ribosome.     

Crystal structure of the ribosome recycling factor bound to the ribosome

In bacteria, disassembly of the ribosome at the end of translation is facilitated by an essential protein factor termed ribosome recycling factor (RRF), which works in concert with elongation factor G. Here we describe the crystal structure of the Thermus thermophilus RRF bound to a 70S ribosomal complex containing a stop codon in the A site, a transfer RNA anticodon stem-loop in the P site and tRNA(fMet) in the E site. The work demonstrates that structures of translation factors bound to 70S ribosomes can be determined at reasonably high resolution. Contrary to earlier reports, we did not observe any RRF-induced changes in bridges connecting the two subunits. This suggests that such changes are not a direct requirement for or consequence of RRF binding but possibly arise from the subsequent stabilization of a hybrid state of the ribosome.     

Possible steps of complete disassembly of post-termination complex by yeast eEF3 deduced from inhibition by translocation inhibitors

Ribosomes, after one round of translation, must be recycled so that the next round of translation can occur. Complete disassembly of post-termination ribosomal complex (PoTC) in yeast for the recycling consists of three reactions: release of tRNA, release of mRNA and splitting of ribosomes, catalyzed by eukaryotic elongation factor 3 (eEF3) and ATP. Here, we show that translocation inhibitors cycloheximide and lactimidomycin inhibited all three reactions. Cycloheximide is a non-competitive inhibitor of both eEF3 and ATP. The inhibition was observed regardless of the way PoTC was prepared with either release factors or puromycin. Paromomycin not only inhibited all three reactions but also re-associated yeast ribosomal subunits. On the other hand, sordarin or fusidic acid, when applied together with eEF2/GTP, specifically inhibited ribosome splitting without blocking of tRNA/mRNA release. From these inhibitor studies, we propose that, in accordance with eEF3’s known function in elongation, the release of tRNA via exit site occurs first, then mRNA is released, followed by the splitting of ribosomes during the disassembly of post-termination complexes catalyzed by eEF3 and ATP.     

Complementary roles of initiation factor 1 and ribosome recycling factor in 70S ribosome splitting

We demonstrate that ribosomes containing a messenger RNA (mRNA) with a strong Shine-Dalgarno sequence are rapidly split into subunits by initiation factors 1 (IF1) and 3 (IF3), but slowly split by ribosome recycling factor (RRF) and elongation factor G (EF-G). Post-termination-like (PTL) ribosomes containing mRNA and a P-site-bound deacylated transfer RNA (tRNA) are split very rapidly by RRF and EF-G, but extremely slowly by IF1 and IF3. Vacant ribosomes are split by RRF/EF-G much more slowly than PTL ribosomes and by IF1/IF3 much more slowly than mRNA-containing ribosomes. These observations reveal complementary splitting of different ribosomal complexes by IF1/IF3 and RRF/EF-G, and suggest the existence of two major pathways for ribosome splitting into subunits in the living cell. We show that the identity of the deacylated tRNA in the PTL ribosome strongly affects the rate by which it is split by RRF/EF-G and that IF3 is involved in the mechanism of ribosome splitting by IF1/IF3 but not by RRF/EF-G. With support from our experimental data, we discuss the principally different mechanisms of ribosome splitting by IF1/IF3 and by RRF/EF-G.     

Evidence for in vivo ribosome recycling, the fourth step in protein biosynthesis.

Ribosome recycling factor (RRF) catalyzes the fourth step of protein synthesis in vitro: disassembly of the post-termination complex of ribosomes, mRNA and tRNA. We now report the first in vivo evidence of RRF function using 12 temperature-sensitive Escherichia coli mutants which we isolated in this study. At non-permissive temperatures, most of the ribosomes remain on mRNA, scan downstream from the termination codon, and re-initiate translation at various sites in all frames without the presence of an initiation codon. Re-initiation does not occur upstream from the termination codon nor beyond a downstream initiation signal. RRF inactivation was bacteriostatic in the growing phase and bactericidal during the transition between the stationary and growing phase, confirming the essential nature of the fourth step of protein synthesis in vivo.