Stereochemistry of methyl transfer catalyzed by tRNA (m5U54)-methyltransferase--evidence for a single displacement mechanism.

tRNA (m5U54)-methyltransferase (RUMT) catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to the 5-carbon of uridine 54 of tRNA. We have determined the steric course of methyl transfer, using (methyl-R)- and (methyl-S)-[methyl-2H1,3H]-AdoMet as the chiral methyl donors, and tRNA lacking the 5-methyl group at position 54 as the acceptor. Following methyl transfer, ribothymidine was isolated and degraded to chiral acetic acid for configurational analysis. Transfer of the chiral methyl group to U54 proceeded with inversion of configuration of the chiral methyl group, suggesting that RUMT catalyzed methyl transfer occurs by a single SN2 displacement mechanism.     

Covalent adducts between tRNA (m5U54)-methyltransferase and RNA substrates.

The interaction of tRNA (m5U54)-methyltransferase (RUMT) with in vitro synthesized unmodified tRNA and a 17-base oligoribonucleotide analog of the T-arm of tRNA in the absence of AdoMet has been investigated. Binary complexes are formed which are isolable on nitrocellulose filters and are composed of noncovalent and covalent complexes in nearly equal amounts. The covalent RUMT-RNA complexes are stable to SDS-PAGE and migrate slower than free enzyme or RNA. Kinetic and thermodynamic constants involved in formation and disruption of noncovalent and covalent binary complexes have been determined and interpreted in the context of steady-state kinetic parameters of the enzyme-catalyzed methylation and 5-H exchange of substrate. The results show that the isolable covalent complex is kinetically incompetent as an intermediate for methylation. Isotope trapping experiments show that when AdoMet is added to preformed binary complex, all bound tRNA is converted to methylated product; thus, the covalent complexes are chemically competent to form products. We have concluded that, after a reversible binary complex is formed, the catalytic thiol adds to the 6-carbon of the U54 of tRNA. The initial adduct leaves the reaction pathway to protonation at carbon 5; the latter can deprotonate and re-enter the pathway to form methylated product. It is speculated that covalent binary RUMT-RNA adducts may serve as depots of enzyme-tRNA complexes primed for methylation, or in unknown roles with RNAs other than tRNA.     

Affinity chromatography of Escherichia coli (m5U54)-methyltransferase on tRNA-agarose.

tRNA-agarose was prepared by condensing periodate-oxidized tRNA to an agarose matrix containing hydrazide functional groups. The tRNA-agarose was used to take partially purified tRNA (m5U54)-methyltransferase to homogeneity. The method is simple and reproducible and gives high yields.     

The T-arm of tRNA is a substrate for tRNA (m5U54)-methyltransferase

Fragments of Escherichia coli FUra-tRNA(1Val) as small as 15 nucleotides form covalent complexes with tRNA (m5U54)-methyltransferase (RUMT). The sequence essential for binding includes position 52 of the T-stem and the T-loop and extends toward the 3' acceptor end of FUra-tRNA. The in vitro synthesized 17mer T-arm of E. coli tRNA(1Val), composed of the seven-base T-loop and 5-base-pair stem, is a good substrate for RUMT. The Km is decreased 5-fold and kcat is decreased 2-fold compared to the entire tRNA. The T-arm structure could be further reduced to an 11mer containing the loop and two base pairs and still retain activity; the Km was similar to that of the 17mer T-arm, whereas kcat was decreased an additional 20-fold. The data indicate that the primary specificity determinants for the RUMT-tRNA interaction are contained within the primary and secondary structure of the T-arm of tRNA.     

Kinetic studies of Escherichia coli transfer RNA (uracil-5-)-methyltransferase.

The kinetic mechanism of a semipurified tRNA (uracil-5-)-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.35) preparation obtained from Escherichia coli has been studied at pH 9.0 in the presence and absence of products. The initial velocity and product inhibition patterns are consistent with a random order of addition of adenosylmethionine and transfer RNA to separate and independent binding sites on the enzyme. Values have been determined for the Michaelis and product inhibitor constants.     

Stringent regulation of the synthesis of a transfer ribonucleic acid biosynthetic enzyme: transfer ribonucleic acid(m5U)methyltransferase from Escherichia coli.

This paper describes the regulation of a transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) biosynthetic enzyme, the tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.35). This enzyme catalyzes the formation of 5-methyluridine (m5U, ribothymidine) in all tRNA chains of Escherichia coli. Partial deprivation of charged tRNAVal can be imposed by shifting strains carrying a temperature-sensitive valyl-tRNA ligase from a permissive to a semipermissive temperature. By using two such strains differing only in the allelic state of the relA gene, it was possible to show the tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase to be stringently regulated. Upon partial deprivation of charged tRNAVal, the differential rate of tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase synthesis was found to decrease in a strain with stringent RNA control (relA+), whereas it increased in the strain carrying the relA allele. This increase of accumulation of tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase activity required protein synthesis. Thus, when tRNA is partially uncharged in the cell, the relA gene product influences the expression of tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase gene.     

Transfer RNA(5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine)-methyltransferase from Escherichia coli K-12 has two enzymatic activities

The tRNA(5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine)-methyltransferase, which is involved in the biosynthesis of the modified nucleoside 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine (mnm5s2U) present in the wobble position of some tRNAs, was purified close to homogeneity (95% purity). The molecular mass of the enzyme is 79,000 daltons. The enzyme activity has a pH optimum of 8.0-8.5, is inhibited by magnesium ions, and stimulated by ammonium ions. Two different intermediates in the biosynthesis of mnm5s2U34 are present in tRNA from the mutants trmC1 and trmC2. Unexpectedly, the product present in tRNA from trmC1 cells was identified by mass spectrometric and chromatographic analyses as 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine (cmnm5s2U), i.e. a more complex derivative than the final product mnm5s2U. The product present in tRNA from trmC2 cells was identified as 5-aminomethyl-2-thiouridine (nm5s2U). In the presence of S-adenosylmethionine the most purified enzyme fraction converts both cmnm5s2U34 and nm5s2U34 into mnm5s2U34. In the absence of S-adenosylmethionine, however, cmnm5s2U34 is converted into nm5s2U by this enzyme fraction. We conclude that the purified polypeptide has two enzymatic activities; one actually demodifies cmnm5s2U to nm5s2U and the other catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to nm5s2U, thus forming mnm5s2U. The sequential order of the biosynthesis of mnm5s2U34 is suggested to be: (Formula: see text). The molecular activity of the methyltransferase activity (nm5s2U34----mnm5s2U34) is 74 min-1, and the steady state concentration of the enzyme is only 78 molecules/genome equivalent in cells growing at a specific growth rate of 1.0/h.     

Acquisition of a bacterial RumA-type tRNA(uracil-54, C5)-methyltransferase by Archaea through an ancient horizontal gene transfer

The Pyrococcus abyssi genome displays two genes possibly coding for S-adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent RNA(uracil, C5)-methyltransferases (PAB0719 and PAB0760). Their amino acid sequences are more closely related to Escherichia coli RumA catalysing the formation of 5-methyluridine (m(5)U)-1939 in 23S rRNA than to E. coli TrmA (tRNA methyltransferase A) methylating uridine-54 in tRNA. Comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses show that homologues of PAB0719 and PAB0760 occur only in a few Archaea, these genes having been acquired via a single horizontal gene transfer from a bacterial donor to the common ancestor of Thermococcales and Nanoarchaea. This transfer event was followed by a duplication event in Thermococcales leading to two closely related genes. None of the gene products of the two P. abyssi paralogues catalyses in vitro the formation of m(5)U in a P. abyssi rRNA fragment homologous to the bacterial RumA substrate. Instead, PAB0719 enzyme (renamed (Pab)TrmU54) displays an identical specificity to TrmA, as it catalyses the in vitro formation of m(5)U-54 in tRNA. Thus, during evolution, at least one of the two P. abyssi RumA-type enzymes has changed of target specificity. This functional shift probably occurred in an ancestor of all Thermococcales. This study also provides new evidence in favour of a close relationship between Thermococcales and Nanoarchaea.     

A single base pair affects binding and catalytic parameters in the molecular recognition of a transfer RNA

A single G3.U70 base pair in the acceptor helix is a major determinant of the identity of an alanine transfer RNA. Alteration of this base pair to A.U or G.C prevents aminoacylation with alanine. We show here that, at approximate physiological conditions (pH 7.5, 37 degrees C), high concentrations of the mutant A3.U70 species do not inhibit aminoacylation of a wild-type alanine tRNA. The observation suggests that, under these conditions, the G3 to A3 substitution increases Km for tRNA by more than 30-fold. Other experiments at pH 7.5 show that no aminoacylation of A3.U70, G3.C70, or U3.G70 mutant tRNAs occurs with substrate levels of enzyme. This suggests that kcat for these mutant tRNAs is sharply reduced as well and that the catalytic defect is not due to slow release of charged mutant tRNAs from the enzyme. Investigations were also done at pH 5.5, where association of tRNAs with synthetases is generally stronger and where binding can be conveniently measured apart from aminoacylation. Under these conditions, the binding of the A3.U70 and G3.C70 species is readily detected and is only 3-5-fold weaker than the binding of the wild-type tRNA. Although the A3.U70 species was demonstrated to compete with the wild-type tRNA for the same site on the enzyme, no aminoacylation could be detected. Thus, even when conditions are adjusted to obtain strong competitive binding, a sharp reduction in kcat prevents aminoacylation of a tRNA(Ala) species with a substitution at position 3.70.     

The conserved 5 S rRNA complement to tRNA is not required for translation of natural mRNA

We have tested a putative base-paired interaction between the conserved GT psi C sequence of tRNA and the conserved GAAC47 sequence of 5 S ribosomal RNA by in vitro protein synthesis using ribosomes containing deletions in this region of 5 S rRNA. Ribosomes reconstituted with 5 S rRNA possessing a single break between residues 41 and 42, deletion of residues 42-46, or deletion of residues 42-52 were tested for their ability to translate phage MS2 RNA. Initiator tRNA binding, aminoacyl-tRNA binding, ppGpp synthesis, and miscoding were also tested. All of the measured functions could be carried out by ribosomes carrying the deleted 5 S rRNAs. The sizes and relative amounts of the polypeptides synthesized by MS2 RNA-programmed ribosomes were identical whether or not the 5 S RNA contained deletions. Aminoacyl-tRNA binding and miscoding were essentially unaffected. Significant reduction in ApUpG (but not poly(A,U,G) or MS2 RNA)-directed fMet-tRNA binding and ppGpp synthesis were observed, particularly in the case of the larger (residues 42-52) deletion. We conclude that if tRNA and 5 S rRNA interact in this fashion, it is not an obligatory step in protein synthesis.     

The sen1(+) gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a homologue of budding yeast SEN1, encodes an RNA and DNA helicase.

Two polynucleotide-dependent ATPases, 95 and 181 kDa in size, have been purified to near homogeneity from cell-free extracts of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Despite their size differences, their biochemical properties were strikingly similar. Both enzymes were capable of unwinding RNA and DNA duplexes in keeping with their ability to hydrolyze ATP in the presence of either ribo- or deoxyribopolynucleotide. In addition, they were capable of unwinding DNA/RNA or RNA/DNA hybrid duplexes and translocated in the 5' to 3' direction. These results strongly indicate that they are closely related to each other. Determination of the partial amino acid sequence of the 95-kDa enzyme revealed that it is encoded by the sen1(+)() gene, an S. pombe homologue of yeast SEN1, a protein essential for the processing of small nucleolar RNA, transfer RNA, and ribosomal RNA. The molecular weight of the S. pombe Sen1 protein (SpSen1p) predicted from the sen1(+)() open reading frame was 192.5 kDa, suggesting that the 181-kDa enzyme is likely to be a full-length protein, whereas the 95-kDa polypeptide has arisen by proteolysis. In accord with this possibility, polyclonal antibodies specific to the C-terminal region of sen1(+)() cross-reacted with both 95- and 181-kDa polypeptides. We discuss the biochemical activities associated with SpSen1p and their relevance to the apparently divergent functions ascribed to the yeast Sen1 protein in RNA metabolism.     

The carboxyl-terminal extension of yeast tRNA m5C methyltransferase enhances the catalytic efficiency of the amino-terminal domain

The human tRNA m(5)C methyltransferase is a potential target for anticancer drugs because it is a novel downstream target of the proto-oncogene myc, mediating Myc-induced cell proliferation. Sequence comparisons of RNA m(5)C methyltransferases indicate that the eukaryotic enzymes possess, in addition to a conserved catalytic domain, a large characteristic carboxyl-terminal extension. To gain insight into the function of this additional domain, the modular architecture of the yeast tRNA m(5)C methyltransferase orthologue, Trm4p, was studied. The yeast enzyme catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to carbon 5 of cytosine at different positions depending on the tRNAs. By limited proteolysis, Trm4p was shown to be composed of two domains that have been separately produced and purified. Here we demonstrate that the aminoterminal domain, encompassing the active site, binds tRNA with similar affinity as the whole enzyme but shows low catalytic efficiency. The carboxyl-terminal domain displays only weak affinity for tRNA. It is not required for m(5)C formation and does not appear to contribute to substrate specificity. However, it enhances considerably the catalytic efficiency of the amino-terminal domain.     

Messenger RNA guanylyltransferase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Large scale purification, subunit functions, and subcellular localization

Messenger RNA capping enzyme (GTP:mRNA guanylyltransferase) purified from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae consisted of two polypeptides (45 and 39 kDa) and possessed two enzymatic activities, i.e. mRNA guanylyltransferase and RNA 5'-triphosphatase (Itoh, N., Mizumoto, K., and Kaziro, Y. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 13923-13929). In this paper, we describe an improved procedure suitable for the large scale purification of the enzyme. The steps include glass beads disruption of the cells and several ion-exchange and affinity column chromatographies. The enzyme was purified from kilogram quantities of yeast cells to apparent homogeneity. The purified enzyme had an approximate Mr of 180,000 and consisted of two heterosubunits of 80 and 52 kDa and had the same two enzymatic activities as above. We consider that this is the more intact form of the enzyme. Using the in situ assays on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, RNA 5'-triphosphatase, and mRNA guanylyltransferase activities were located on the 80- and 52-kDa chains, respectively. In agreement with this, the 52-kDa enzyme-[32P]GMP complex was formed on incubation of the enzyme with [alpha-32P]GTP. Guinea pig antisera against purified yeast capping enzyme recognized both 80- and 52-kDa chains in Western blot analysis. The antibody did not cross-react with the enzymes from rat liver. Artemia salina, or vaccinia virus. Nuclear localization of the enzyme was demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy.     

The crystal structure of Pyrococcus abyssi tRNA (uracil-54, C5)-methyltransferase provides insights into its tRNA specificity

The 5-methyluridine is invariably found at position 54 in the TPsiC loop of tRNAs of most organisms. In Pyrococcus abyssi, its formation is catalyzed by the S-adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent tRNA (uracil-54, C5)-methyltransferase ((Pab)TrmU54), an enzyme that emerged through an ancient horizontal transfer of an RNA (uracil, C5)-methyltransferase-like gene from bacteria to archaea. The crystal structure of (Pab)TrmU54 in complex with S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine at 1.9 A resolution shows the protein organized into three domains like Escherichia coli RumA, which catalyzes the same reaction at position 1939 of 23S rRNA. A positively charged groove at the interface between the three domains probably locates part of the tRNA-binding site of (Pab)TrmU54. We show that a mini-tRNA lacking both the D and anticodon stem-loops is recognized by (Pab)TrmU54. These results were used to model yeast tRNA(Asp) in the (Pab)TrmU54 structure to get further insights into the different RNA specificities of RumA and (Pab)TrmU54. Interestingly, the presence of two flexible loops in the central domain, unique to (Pab)TrmU54, may explain the different substrate selectivities of both enzymes. We also predict that a large TPsiC loop conformational change has to occur for the flipping of the target uridine into the (Pab)TrmU54 active site during catalysis.     

Purification and characterization of transfer RNA (guanine-1)methyltransferase from Escherichia coli

The tRNA modifying enzyme, tRNA (guanine-1)methyltransferase has been purified to near homogeneity from an overproducing Escherichia coli strain harboring a multicopy plasmid carrying the structural gene of the enzyme. The preparation gives a single major band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme is probably a single polypeptide chain of molecular weight 32,000. The amino acid composition is presented and the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence was established to be H2N-Met-Trp-Ile-Gly-Ile-Ile-Ser-Leu-Phe-Pro. The enzyme has a pI of 5.2. The tRNA (guanine-1)-methyltransferase has a pH optimum of 8.0-8.5, an apparent Km of 5 microM for S-adenosylmethionine. S-adenosylhomocysteine is a competitive inhibitor for the enzyme with an apparent Ki of 6 microM. Spermidine or putrescine are not required for activity, but they stimulate the rate of methylation 1.2-fold with optima at 2 and 6 mM, respectively. Ammonium ion is not required and is inhibitory at concentrations above 0.15 M. Magnesium ion inhibited the activity at a concentration as low as 2 mM. Sodium and potassium ions were inhibitory at concentrations above 0.1 M. The molecular activity of tRNA (guanine-1)-methyltransferase was calculated to 10.0 min-1. It was estimated that the enzyme is present at 80 molecules/genome in cells growing with a specific growth rate of 1.0.