Domain V of 23S rRNA contains all the structural elements necessary for recognition by the ErmE methyltransferase.

The ErmE methyltransferase from the erythromycin-producing actinomycete Saccharopolyspora erythraea dimethylates the N-6 position of adenine 2058 in domain V of 23S rRNA. This modification confers resistance to erythromycin and to other macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B antibiotics. We investigated what structural elements in 23S rRNA are required for specific recognition by the ErmE methyltransferase. The ermE gene was cloned into R1 plasmid derivatives, providing a means of inducible expression in Escherichia coli. Expression of the methyltransferase in vivo confers resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin. The degree of resistance corresponds to the level of ermE expression. In turn, ermE expression also correlates with the proportion of 23S rRNA molecules that are dimethylated at adenine 2058. The methyltransferase was isolated in an active, concentrated form from E. coli, and the enzyme efficiently modifies 23S rRNA in vitro. Removal of most of the 23S rRNA structure, so that only domain V (nucleotides 2000 to 2624) remains, does not affect the efficiency of modification by the methyltransferase. In addition, modification still occurs after the rRNA tertiary structure has been disrupted by removal of magnesium ions. We conclude that the main features that are specifically recognized by the ErmE methyltransferase are displayed within the primary and secondary structures of 23S rRNA domain V.     

Methylation of 23S rRNA caused by tlrA (ermSF), a tylosin resistance determinant from Streptomyces fradiae.

Ribosomes from Streptomyces griseofuscus expressing tlrA, a resistance gene isolated from the tylosin producer Streptomyces fradiae, are resistant to macrolide and lincosamide antibiotics in vitro. The tlrA product was found to be a methylase that introduces two methyl groups into a single base within 23S rRNA, generating N6,N6-dimethyladenine at position 2058. This activity is therefore similar to the ermE resistance mechanism in Saccharopolyspora erythraea (formerly Streptomyces erythraeus).     

Ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid-Adenine (N6-) Methylase of Escherichia coli Strain B: Ionic and Substrate Site Requirements

These investigations are concerned with the ionic and substrate-site requirements of ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA)-adenine (N(6)-) methylase of Escherichia coli B. The methylase was essentially inactive in solutions of low ionic strength. The addition of MgCl(2) (optimal at 5 mM) or; to a lesser degree, KCl (optimal at 45 mM) stimulated the rate of methylation; the combination of MgCl(2) and KCl stimulated methylation to an extent equivalent to the sum of the stimulation of each acting alone. The extent of nonspecific binding of the methylase to rRNA decreased as the ionic strength of the solution increased. In the absence of ions, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), a nucleic acid denaturing agent, had little influence on the rate of methylation; however, DMSO plus KCl synergistically increased both the rate and the extent of methylation to a greater degree than the combination of Mg(2+) plus K(+). NH(4) (+) was less effective than K(+), and the divalent Mg(2+) offered little stimulation. Monovalent anions (acetate, nitrate, and chloride) were equally effective, whereas divalent SO(4) (2-) was decidedly inhibitory. The appropriate ionic milieu of mono- and divalent cations was required to provide the appropriate conformation of the rRNA and to facilitate specific interactions of the methylase and its recognition sites in the rRNA, while decreasing nonspecific ionic binding of the methylase to rRNA. DMSO may facilitate methylation by increasing the number of substrate sites exposed in single-stranded regions of the rRNA. Nonmethylatable rRNA species served as competitive inhibitors, whereas the polyanions deoxyribonucleic acid, transfer RNA, and polyadenylic acid were inactive. Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Bacillus subtilis rRNA, methylated by the methylase, each contained two distinct heptanucleotides containing newly synthesized 6-methyladenine moieties. The data are consistent with the view that E. coli strain B possesses two species of rRNA-adenine (N(6)-) methylases, each of which recognizes a specific adenine moiety in a unique pentapurine nucleotide sequence in a single-stranded region of rRNA.     

Characterization of an endoribonuclease, RNase N, from Escherichia coli.

The properties of the enzyme ribonuclease N were investigated. By comparing the distribution in the cell of RNase N with the bonafide intracellular beta-galactosidase, and the periplasmic alkaline phosphatase enzymes, we showed that RNase N is an intracellular enzyme. Since previous studies suggested that it is an endoribonuclease, it was compared to RNase III, the only other known intracellular endoribonuclease in Escherichia coli. Using homopolymers and co-polymers we found that, while RNase III could digest double-stranded RNA only, RNase N digested single-stranded and double-stranded RNA with similar efficiency. Furthermore, all RNAs used, natural as well as synthetic, were substrates for the enzyme. Using 5 S rRNA as a substrate it was confirmed that the enzyme is an endonuclease. The final products of the reaction of this enzyme are 5'-mononucleotides. The molecular weight of the enzyme is about 120,000 and it seems to contain two subunits which are similar in size. These properties thus differentiate this enzyme from all other known ribonucleases in E. coli.     

Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, rat and human 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylases repair 1,N6-ethenoadenine when present in DNA.

The human carcinogen vinyl chloride is metabolized in the liver to reactive intermediates which generate various ethenobases in DNA. It has been reported that 1,N6-ethenoadenine (epsilon A) is excised by a DNA glycosylase present in human cell extracts, whereas protein extracts from Escherichia coli and yeast were devoid of such an activity. We confirm that the human 3-methyladenine-DNA glycosylase (ANPG protein) excises epsilon A residues. This finding was extended to the rat (ADPG protein). We show, at variance with the previous report, that pure E.coli 3-methyladenine-DNA glycosylase II (AlkA protein) as well as its yeast counterpart, the MAG protein, excise epsilon A from double stranded oligodeoxynucleotides that contain a single epsilon A. Both enzymes act as DNA glycosylases. The full length and the truncated human (ANPG 70 and 40 proteins, respectively) and the rat (ADPG protein) 3-methyladenine-DNA glycosylases activities towards epsilon A are 2-3 orders of magnitude more efficient than the E.coli or yeast enzyme for the removal of epsilon A. The Km of the various proteins were measured. They are 24, 200 and 800 nM for the ANPG, MAG and AlkA proteins respectively. These three proteins efficiently cleave duplex oligonucleotides containing epsilon A positioned opposite T, G, C or epsilon A. However the MAG protein excises A opposite cytosine much faster than opposite thymine, guanine or adenine.     

Preferential incorporation of an exogenous cytokinin, N6-benzyladenine, into 18S and 25S ribosomal RNA of tobacco cells in suspension culture

Cytokinin-requiring tobacco cells were incubated for 10 h in the presence of a labeled cytokinin. N6-benzyl-[2-3H]Ade, and of [8-14C]Ado. After alkaline hydrolysis of total RNA and fractionation of the resulting nucleotides, 80 per cent of the 3H radioactivity of RNA were recovered as the N6-benzyl-Ado nucleotide, covalently inserted into polynucleotidic chains. The N6-benzyl-Ado nucleotide was not significantly labled by 14C: at most one part of this nucleotide per 10 000 may result from a transfer of the benzyl moiety to adenyl residues in preformed RNA. Thus, the covalent insertion of N6-benzyl-Ade into RNA involves the intact N6-substituted base. Total RNA was fractionated either by sucrose density gradient centrifugation or by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All identified RNA species were shown to contain N6-benzyl-Ade. The insertion frequency, measured as the molecular proportion of N6-benzyl-Ade to the total base content, was 3 to 4 times larger in 25S and 18S rRNA than in 5S and 4S RNA. The amount of N6-benzyl-Ade inserted into cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA accounted for about 90 per cent of the amount incorporated into total RNA. Electrophoresis of denatured RNA in the presence of formamide provided additional evidence that N6-benzyl-Ade was indeed incorporated into RNA molecules.     

Biosynthetic pathway of ribothymidine in B. subtilis and M. lysodeikticus involving different coenzymes for transfer RNA and ribosomal RNA.

Ribothymidine (m5u) in tRNAs of M. lysodeikticus is not derived from methionine. The results indicate that as in tRNAs of B. subtilis a tetrahydrofolate derivative is involved in the formation of m5U, whereas methionine serves as precursor in the biosynthesis of m7G, m1A and m6A. Ribothymidine also occurs in 23S rRNA of B. subtilis and M. lysodeikticus. Approximately 2-3 moles of m5U residues were found per mole of 23S rRNA. In contrast to m5U residues present in tRNAs of B. subtilis and M. lysodeikticus, ribothymidine in 23S rRNA of these organisms and of E. coli is synthesized via S-adenosylmethionine. m6A and m1G, present in E. coli rRNAs, were not detected in rRNAs of (methyl-14C) methionine labeled B. subtilis and M. lysodeikticus.     

黑暗链霉菌DNA同源重组系统的构建

以黑暗链霉菌Tt-49基因组为模板,利用PCR方法,扩增安普霉素生物合成关键基因aprF-G的上、下游序列,作为同源交换臂,并将红霉素抗性基因筛选标记及其启动子插入两交换臂之间,以温敏型质粒pKC1139为基础,构建用于阻断黑暗链霉菌Tt-49安普霉素生物合成的重组质粒pFD8.该质粒通过E.coil ET12567/pUZ8002去甲基化修饰后,经接舍转移进入黑暗链霉菌Tt-49,利用红霉素抗性筛选得到3株阳性转化子,分别命名为Tt-49 AG1、Tt-49 AG2和Tt-49 AG3.通过PCR鉴定,证明pFD8已插入黑暗链霉菌Tt-49基因组的目标位点.以亲株作对照,对3株工程菌进行红霉素抗性能力考察,发现3株工程菌的抗红霉素能力均高迭1 000 μg/mL以上.     

The last rRNA methyltransferase of E. coli revealed: The yhiR gene encodes adenine-N6 methyltransferase specific for modification of A2030 of 23S ribosomal RNA

The ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of Escherichia coli contains 24 methylated residues. A set of 22 methyltransferases responsible for modification of 23 residues has been described previously. Herein we report the identification of the yhiR gene as encoding the enzyme that modifies the 23S rRNA nucleotide A2030, the last methylated rRNA nucleotide whose modification enzyme was not known. YhiR prefers protein-free 23S rRNA to ribonucleoprotein particles containing only part of the 50S subunit proteins and does not methylate the assembled 50S subunit. We suggest renaming the yhiR gene to rlmJ according to the rRNA methyltransferase nomenclature. The phenotype of yhiR knockout gene is very mild under various growth conditions and at the stationary phase, except for a small growth advantage at anaerobic conditions. Only minor changes in the total E. coli proteome could be observed in a cell devoid of the 23S rRNA nucleotide A2030 methylation.     

Plasmid pRARE as a Vector for Cloning to Construct a Superproducer of the Site-Specific Nickase N.BspD6I

The gene of methylase M.SccL1I that protects DNA against hydrolysis with the nickase N.BspD6I was inserted into plasmid pRARE carrying genes of tRNA, which are rare in E. coli. The insertion of the gene sscML1I into pRARE was reasoned by incompatibility of pRARE and the plasmid carrying the gene sscML1I, because both plasmids contained the same ori-site. Upon transformation of E. coli TOP10F cells with both the recombinant plasmid pRARE/MSsc and the expression vector pET28b containing the nickase gene bspD6IN under the phage T7 promoter, a strain of E. coli was obtained which produced 7 x 10(5) units of the nickase N.BspD6I per 1 g wet biomass, and this yield was two orders of magnitude higher than the yield of the enzyme from the strain free of pRARE/MSsc.     

Role of the S128, H186, and N187 triad in substrate binding and decarboxylation in the sheep liver 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase reaction

Crystal structures of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) from sheep liver indicate that S128 and N187 are within hydrogen-bonding distance of 6PG in the E:6PG binary complex and NADPH in the E:NADPH binary complex. In addition, H186 is also within hydrogen-bonding distance of NADPH in the E:NADPH binary complex, while in the E:6PG binary complex it is within hydrogen-bonding distance of S128 and close to N187. The structures suggest that this triad of residues may play a dual role during the catalytic reaction. Site-directed mutagenesis has been performed to mutate each of the three residues to alanine. All mutant enzymes exhibit a decrease in V/E(t) (the turnover number), ranging from 7- to 67-fold. An increase in the Km for 6PG (K(6PG)) was observed for S128A and H187A mutant enzymes, while for the H186A mutation, K(6PG) is decreased by a factor of 2. K(NADP) remains the same as the wild type enzyme for the S128A and H186A mutant enzyme, while it increases by 6-fold in the N187A mutant enzyme. An increased K(iNADPH) was measured for all of the mutant enzymes. The primary kinetic 13C-isotope effect is increased, while the primary deuterium kinetic isotope effect is decreased, indicating that the decarboxylation step has become more rate limiting under conditions where substrate is limiting. A quantitative analysis of the data suggests that the S128, H186, and N187 triad is multifunctional in the 6PGDH reaction and contributes as follows. The triad (1) participates in the precatalytic conformational change; (2) provides ground state binding affinity for 6PG and NADPH; and (3) affects the relative rates of reduction or decarboxylation of the 3-keto-6PG intermediate by anchoring the cofactor after hydride transfer, which is accompanied by the rotation of the nicotinamide ring around the N-glycosidic bond and displacement of C1 of 6PG, facilitating decarboxylation.     

ermSF, a ribosomal RNA adenine N6-methyltransferase gene from Streptomyces fradiae, confers MLS (macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B) resistance to E. coli when it is expressed.

The Erm family of methyltransferases confers the MLS antibiotic resistance to pathogenic microorganism through the mono- or dimethylation of a single adenine residue in 23S rRNA, which is known as the target site for modification. One of the erm genes, ermSF was cloned from Streptomyces fradiae NRRL 2702 by PCR and overexpressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) as both a soluble protein and insoluble aggregate (inclusion body) using the T7 promoter driven expression vector, pET23b. Even though most of the overexpressed protein existed as an inclusion body, E. coli cells showed resistance to erythromycin. The lowering of incubation temperature from 37 degrees C to 22 degrees C facilitated the purification of the protein by increasing the fraction of soluble protein. The soluble protein was purified using immobilized metal ion (Ni2+) affinity chromatography in a one-step manner to the apparent homogeneity. The 23S rRNA of E. coli was found to be a good substrate for the purified ErmSF.     

Tricyclic nitrogen base 1,N6-ethenoadenine and its ribosides as substrates for purine-nucleoside phosphorylases: Spectroscopic and kinetic studies

The title compound is an excellent substrate for E. coli PNP, as well as for its D204N mutant. The main product of the synthetic reaction is N9-riboside, but some amount of N7-riboside is also present. Surprisingly, 1,N⁶-ethenoadenine is also ribosylated by both wild-type and mutated (N243D) forms of calf PNP, which catalyze the synthesis of a different riboside, tentatively identified as N6-β-D-ribosyl-1,N⁶-ethenoadenine. All ribosides are susceptible to phosphorolysis by the E. coli PNP (wild type). All the ribosides are fluorescent and can be utilized as analytical probes.     

Introduction of antigenic determining 2,4-dinitrophenyl residues into 4-thiouridine, N3-(3-L-amino-3-carboxypropyl) uridine and tRNA-Phe from E. coli.

The introduction of antigenic determining 2,4-dinitrophenyl residues into the rare ribonucleosides 4-thiouridine (1a), and N3-(3-L-amino-3-carboxypropyl) uridine (2) as well as into tRNA-Phe from E. coli has been investigated. Alkylation of 1a with omega-bromo-2,4-dinitroacetophenone (3b) gives S-(2,4-dinitrophenacyl)-4-thiouridine (5A). Applying the reaction to the 5'-monophosphate of 1a, 5b is formed, but this product decomposes at pH 7. However, acylation of 2 with 2,4-dinitrobenzoic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (4b) leads to N3-[3-carboxy-3-L-(2,4-dinitrobenzamido)propyl]uridine (6) which is stable in aqueous solution. The latter reaction was used for the introduction of an antigenic determining 2,4-dinitrophenyl residue into tRNA-Phe from E. coli. The modified tRNA-Phe was isolated and by degradation of the molecule with RNase T2 and alkaline phosphatase the nucleoside derivative 6 was obtained and found to be identical with the synthetic product.     

DNA methylation in thermophilic bacteria: N4-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, and N6-methyladenine.

While determining the minor and major base composition of the DNA from 17 types of thermophilic bacteria by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of enzymatic digests, we have discovered a novel base, N4-methylcytosine (m4C). Its structure was proven by comparison of the DNA-derived nucleoside to the analogous authentic compound by HPLC, UV spectroscopy, and mass spectroscopy. Eight of the bacterial DNAs contained m4C. Only two contained the common minor base, 5-methylcytosine (m5C), and neither of these was from an extreme thermophile. The other prevalent modified base of bacterial DNA, N6-methyladenine (m6A), was found in nine of the DNAs. Restriction analysis revealed that four of the DNAs had dam-type (Gm6ATC) methylation patterns. Due to the propensity of m5C residues to be deaminated by heat to thymine residues and to inefficient repair of the resulting mismatched base pairs, thermophiles with optimal growth temperatures of greater than or equal to 60 degrees C generally may avoid having m5C in their genomes. Instead, some of them have deamination-resistant m4C residues.     

Staphylococcus aureus domain V functions in Escherichia coli ribosomes provided a conserved interaction with domain IV is restored

Domain V of Escherichia coli 23 S rRNA (residues 2023-2630) was replaced by that from Staphylococcus aureus, thereby introducing 132 changes in the rRNA sequence. The resulting ribosomal mutant was unable to support cell growth. The mutant was rescued, however, by restoring an interaction between domains IV and V (residues 1782 and 2586). Although the importance of this interaction, U/U in E. coli, C/C in S. aureus, is therefore demonstrated, it cannot be the only tertiary interaction important for ribosomal function as the rescued hybrid grew more slowly than the wild type. Additionally, although the single-site mutations U1782C and U2586C in E. coli are viable, the double mutant is lethal.     

Inversion of the allosteric response of Escherichia coli glucosamine-6-P deaminase to N-acetylglucosamine 6-P, by single amino acid replacements

Amino acid replacements in the active site of glucosamine-6-P deaminase from Escherichia coli (GlcN6P deaminase, EC 3.5.99.6) involving the residues D141 and E148 produce atypical allosteric kinetics. These residues are located in the chain segment 139-156 which is part of the active site and which also forms several intersubunit contacts close to the allosteric site. In the D141N and E148Q mutant forms of this deaminase, there is an inversion of the effect of its physiological allosteric effector, N-acetylglucosamine 6-P, which becomes an inhibitor at substrate concentrations above a critical value. For both mutants, this particular point appears at low substrate concentration and the inhibition by the allosteric activator is the dominant effect in velocity versus substrate curves. These effects are analyzed as a particular case of the concerted allosteric model, assuming that the R state, the conformer displaying the higher affinity for the substrate, is the less catalytic state, thus producing an inverted allosteric response.     

The C-terminal half of RNase E, which organizes the Escherichia coli degradosome, participates in mRNA degradation but not rRNA processing in vivo

RNase E is an essential Escherichia coli endonuclease, which controls both 5S rRNA maturation and bulk mRNA decay. While the C-terminal half of this 1061-residue protein associates with polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) and several other enzymes into a 'degradosome', only the N-terminal half, which carries the catalytic activity, is required for growth. We characterize here a mutation (rne131 ) that yields a metabolically stable polypeptide lacking the last 477 residues of RNAse E. This mutation resembles the N-terminal conditional mutation rne1 in stabilizing mRNAs, both in bulk and individually, but differs from it in leaving rRNA processing and cell growth unaffected. Another mutation (rne105 ) removing the last 469 residues behaves similarly. Thus, the C-terminal half of RNase E is instrumental in degrading mRNAs, but dispensable for processing rRNA. A plausible interpretation is that the former activity requires that RNase E associates with other degradosome proteins; however, PNPase is not essential, as RNase E remains fully active towards mRNAs in rne+pnp mutants. All mRNAs are not stabilized equally by the rne131 mutation: the greater their susceptibility to RNase E, the larger the stabilization. Artificial mRNAs generated by E. coli expression systems based on T7 RNA polymerase can be genuinely unstable, and we show that the mutation can improve the yield of such systems without compromising cell growth.     

Identities and phylogenetic comparisons of posttranscriptional modifications in 16 S ribosomal RNA from Haloferax volcanii

Small subunit (16 S) rRNA from the archaeon Haloferax volcanii, for which sites of modification were previously reported, was examined using mass spectrometry. A census of all modified residues was taken by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry analysis of a total nucleoside digest of the rRNA. Following rRNA hydrolysis by RNase T(1), accurate molecular mass values of oligonucleotide products were measured using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry and compared with values predicted from the corresponding gene sequence. Three modified nucleosides, distributed over four conserved sites in the decoding region of the molecule, were characterized: 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)uridine-966, N(6)-methyladenosine-1501, and N(6),N(6)-dimethyladenosine-1518 and -1519 (all Escherichia coli numbering). Nucleoside 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)uridine, previously unknown in rRNA, occurs at a highly conserved site of modification in all three evolutionary domains but for which no structural assignment in archaea has been previously reported. Nucleoside N(6)-methyladenosine, not previously placed in archaeal rRNAs, frequently occurs at the analogous location in eukaryotic small subunit rRNA but not in bacteria. H. volcanii small subunit rRNA appears to reflect the phenotypically low modification level in the Crenarchaeota kingdom and is the only cytoplasmic small subunit rRNA shown to lack pseudouridine.