Interaction of elongation factor 2 from wheat germ with guanosine nucleotides and ribosomes.

1. The amino acid composition of wheat germ EF2 differs to some extent from that of elongation factors from mammals and bacteria. 2. The purified wheat germ EF2, similarly as the factors from other sources, is active in the: EF1-dependent polymerization of phenylalanine; ribosome-dependent GTP hydrolysis; binding of guanosine nucleotides; and ADP-ribosylation in the presence of diphtheria toxin. Fusidic acid at a concentration of 1 mM inhibits all these EF2-dependent reactions. 3. Diphtheria toxin in the presence of NAD+ inhibits polymerization of phenylalanine but does not effect GTP binding to EF2. 4. Binding of GDP to wheat germ EF2 is inhibited by ribosomes. During interaction with ribosomes, GTP in EF2-GTP complex is rapidly hydrolysed to GDP. Both GTP and 5'-guanylmethylenediphosphonate competitively inhibit formation of the ribosome-EF2-GDP complex due to the replacement of GDP from the complex. The latter is stabilized by fusidic acid.     

On the mechanism of a calcium-associated defect of oxidative phosphorylation in progessive muscular dystrophy

Partially purified elongation factor 1 preparations from calf brain, sheep brain, calf liver, and rabbit reticulocytes have been compared in their ability to interact with GTP and Phe-tRNA. A nitrocellulose filter assay has been used to study these interactions, and with all the EF1 preparations studied, evidence has been obtained for the formation of a Phe-tRNA·-EF1·-GTP complex. The ternary complex reacts with calf brain ribosomes in the presence of poly(U) resulting in a rapid hydrolysis of GTP and the binding of Phe-tRNA to the ribosome. Indirect evidence indicates that EF1·GDP is a product of this reaction. In the absence of poly(U) the intact complex reacts with the ribosomes without hydrolysis of GTP. The stability of the ternary complex was different with the various EF1 preparations, but the most stable complexes were prepared with calf brain EF1. Sephadex chromatography of the ternary complex shows that it contains a low molecular-weight species of the enzyme.     

Stereochemistry of the guanyl nucleotide binding site of transducin probed by phosphorothioate analogues of GTP and GDP

The stereochemistry of the guanyl nucleotide binding site of transducin from bovine retinal rod outer segments was probed with phosphorothioate analogues of GTP and GDP. Transducin has markedly different affinities for the five thio analogues of GTP, as measured by their effectiveness in inhibiting GTPase activity, competing with GTP for entry into transducin, and displacing GDP bound to transducin. The order of binding affinities is GTP gamma S = (Sp)-GTP alpha S greater than (Rp)-GTP alpha S greater than (Sp)-GTP beta S much greater than (Rp)-GTP beta S. The affinity of transducin for GTP gamma S is greater than 10(4) higher than that for (Rp)-GTP beta S. These five analogues have the same relative potencies in eliciting the release of transducin from the membrane and in activating the phosphodiesterase. Transducin hydrolyzes (Sp)-GTP alpha S with a l/e time of 55 s, compared with 28 s for GTP. In contrast, (Rp)-GTP alpha S, like GTP gamma S, is not hydrolyzed on the time scale of several hours. The order of effectiveness of thio analogues of GDP in displacing bound GDP is (Sp)-GDP alpha S greater than GDP greater than (Rp)-GDP alpha S greater than GDP beta S. The affinity of transducin for (Sp)-GDP alpha S is about 10-fold higher than that for GDP beta S. Mg2+ is required for the binding of GTP and GDP to transducin. Cd2+ does not lead to a reversal of stereospecificity at either the alpha- or beta-phosphorus atom of GTP. These results lead to the following conclusions: The pro-R oxygen atom at the alpha-phosphorus of GTP does not bind Mg2+ but instead interacts with the protein. The pro-S oxygen at the alpha-phosphorus does not appear to be involved in a critical interaction with transducin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Molecular Cloning of cDNA for BRab from the Brain of Bombyx mori and Biochemical Properties of BRab Expressed in Escherichia coli

From a brain cDNA library of Bombyx mori, we cloned cDNA for BRab, which encoded a 202-amino-acid polypeptide sharing 60-80% similarity with rab1 family members. To characterize its biochemical properties, cDNA for BRab was inserted into an expression vector (pGEX2T) and expressed in Escherichia coli as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein. The recombinant protein was purified to homogeneity with glutathione S-Sepharose. The purified GST-BRab bound [³⁵S]-GTPγS and [³H]-GDP with association constants of 1.5×10⁶ M^-1 and 0.58×10⁶ M^-1, respectively. The binding of [³⁵S]-GTPγS was inhibited with GTP and GDP, but with no other nucleotides. The GTP-hydrolysis activity was evaluated to be 5 m mole/min/mole of BRab. In the presence of 6 mM MgCl₂, bound [³⁵S]-GTPγS and [³H]-GDP were exchanged with GTPγS most efficiently. These results suggest that BRab, having a higher affinity for GTP than GDP, converts from the GTP-bound state into the GDP-bound state by intrinsic GTP hydrolysis activity and returns to the GTP-bound state with the exchange of GDP with GTP.     

Kinetics of interaction of 2-amino-6-mercapto-9-beta-ribofuranosylpurine 5'-triphosphate with bovine brain tubulin

The binding of the guanine nucleotide analogue 2-amino-6-mercapto-9-beta-ribofuranosylpurine 5'-triphosphate (S6-GTP) to tubulin from which the associated proteins and exchangeably bound nucleotide have been removed produces about a 15% decrease in intrinsic tubulin fluorescence. Using a fluorescence stopped-flow technique, we have examined the kinetics and mechanism of this process. Analysis of the data reveals that the binding is complex, involving at least one conformational change subsequent to nucleotide binding. The bimolecular association rate constant for binding of S6-GTP to tubulin is approximately 6 X 10(5) M-1 s-1, suggesting that the orientation requirements are stringent. The kinetic parameters for dissociation of GDP, S6-GTP, and S6-GDP from the exchangeable nucleotide binding site have also been determined. S6-GDP and GDP were found to have comparable rates of dissociation; S6-GTP dissociated approximately twice as slowly as either GDP or S6-GDP. Glycerol produces a significant decrease in the rates of nucleotide dissociation. The mechanism whereby glycerol produces such an effect is not known; however, it may involve slight changes in the conformation of the tubulin protomer.     

Structural insights into Rab21 GTPase activation mechanism by molecular dynamics simulations

Rab proteins belong to the family of monomeric GTPases which are involved in the cellular membrane trafficking. Rab21 protein exists in interchangeable GTP- and GDP-bound states. Rabs switch between two active and inactive conformations like other GTPases. The inactive form of Rab is bound to GDP while its active form is bounded with the GTP. Interexchange between active and inactive form is mediated by the GDP/GTP exchange factor (GEF) which catalyses the conversion from GDP-bound to GTP-bound form, thereby activating the Rab. While the GTP hydrolysis of Rabs is regulated by a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) which causes Rab inactivation. Here, we report the structural flexibility of the Rab21-GTP and Rab21-GDP complexes by docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Structural analysis of exchange mechanisms of the co-factors complexed with Rab21 reveals that Cys29, Thr33, His48, Gln78 and Lys133 are essentially important in the activation of proteins. Furthermore, a significant change in the orientation of the interacting co-factors, with slight variation in the free energy of binding was observed. Complexation of GEF with Rab21-GTP and Rab21-GDP reveal a flipping of the switchable residues. Finally, 50 ns MD simulations confirm that the GTP-bound Rab21 complex is thermodynamically more favoured than the corresponding GDP-bound complex. This study provides a detailed understanding of the structural elements involved in the conformational changes of Rab21.     

The effect of guanosine nucleotides on the multiple forms of protein synthesis elongation factor 1 from wheat embryos

At least two species of elongation factor 1 from wheat embryo have been detected by sucrose gradient analysis and Sephadex gel filtration. The heavy species (EF1_h) which has a molecular weight of 200,000 can be converted into the light species (EF1_l) with a molecular weight of approximately 50,000 by addition of GTP or GDP. The conversion of EF1_h to EF1_l is more rapid in the presence of GDP than in the presence of GTP. Aminoacyl-tRNA which reacts preferentially with EF1_l favors the conversion of EF1_h to EF1_l with GTP. Both GTP and GDP promote inactivation of EF1_h, but the addition of aminoacyl-tRNA counteracts the effect of the guanosine triphosphate. These reactions are discussed with respect to the function of the various forms of EF1 in aminoacyl-tRNA binding to ribosomes.     

Interaction of 6-mercapto-GTP with bovine brain tubulin. Equilibrium aspects

In the presence of glycerol, the thionucleotide 2-amino-6-mercapto-9-ribofuranosyl purine 5'-triphosphate (S6-GTP) promotes the assembly of 6 S tubulin to form microtubules. Microtubules assembled with this analog show normal stability properties. In the absence of glycerol, few microtubules are formed with S6-GTP; however, many twisted ribbons are evident. Binding of S6-GTP to tubulin from which the associated proteins and exchangeable nucleotide have been removed (Tu(-] produces about a 16% quenching of intrinsic tubulin fluorescence. Fluorescence titrations indicate an apparent Kd for the tubulin S6-GTP complex of about 3 X 10(-8)M. Binding of S6-GTP to Tu(-) also produces a change in its absorption spectrum. The observed difference spectrum has a maximum at 350 nm and negative extrema at 323 and 338 nm. This suggests that the environment of the thioguanine ring is relatively hydrophobic. Competitive displacement studies yield apparent Kd values of about 1.7 X 10(-8)M for GTP and 8.3 X 10(-8) M for GDP. The changes in absorbance and fluorescence which accompany binding provide an excellent approach to the study of the kinetics and mechanisms of nucleotide binding as well as studies of the kinetics of displacement of GTP, GDP, and their analogs.     

Stereochemistry and lifetime of the GTP hydrolysis intermediate at the active site of elongation factor Tu from Bacillus stearothermophilus as inferred from the 17O-55Mn superhyperfine interaction

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy has been used to obtain information on the structure and stability of the products of GTP cleavage at the active site of elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) from Bacillus stearothermophilus. Using stereospecifically labelled (Sp)-(Rp)-[beta-17O]GTP (prepared by modification of a previously published procedure which is now also suitable for guanine nucleotides), it was found that only one of the two possible diastereomers (Sp) led to detectable line-broadening of the EPR spectrum of Mn2+ at the active site of EF-Tu (linewidth 1.5 mT), whereas the Rp isomer caused the same linewidth as unlabelled nucleotide (1.3 mT). From our earlier work and from a demonstration that the lifetime of the state giving the broadened spectrum is too long to be assigned to the EF-Tu.GDP.Mn complex [the rate constant for decay as measured by displacement of GDP by the fluorescent 2'(3')-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl)-GDP is 6.2 x 10(-3) s-1 at 25 degrees C and pH 6.8], we conclude that the broadened signal arises from the EF-Tu.Mn.GDP.Pi complex, the predominant steady-state species. During the hydrolysis of GTP the Mn2+ remains bound to the beta-phosphate oxygen of GDP which arises from the beta pro-S oxygen of GTP, possibly until GDP dissociates and certainly until Pi dissociates. Addition of elongation factor Ts (EF-Ts) to this intermediate leads to rapid reduction of the linewidth to that expected for random distribution of interactions of one 17O and two 16O atoms of GDP with Mn2+, and is not distinguishable from that exhibited by (Rp)-[beta-17O]GTP in the corresponding complex in the presence of EF-Ts.     

Available sulphydryl groups of mammalian ribosomes in different functional states

The numbers of sulphydryl groups on NH₄Cl-washed rat liver polyribosomes in different functional states were measured under carefully standardized conditions with ¹⁴C-labelled N-ethylmaleimide and ³⁵S-labelled 5,5-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid). Ribosomes denatured with urea had 120 titratable sulphydryl groups, 60 on each subunit, whereas native ribosomes invariably showed fewer available sulphydryl groups. Ribosomes stripped of transfer RNA (S-type ribosomes) had 55 available sulphydryl groups. Ribosomes bearing the growing peptidyl-tRNA at the acceptor site had 41 sulphydryl groups available. If these A-type ribosomes were labelled with ¹⁴C-labelled N-ethylmaleimide and dissociated into subunits, 23 of the labelled sulphydryl groups were found on the 60 S subunit and 19 on the 40 S subunit. After translocation of the peptidyl-tRNA to the donor position on ribosomes (D ribosomes), the number of available sulphydryl groups increased to 72, of which 43 were on the 60 S subunit and 29 on the 40 S subunit. This demonstrates that both subunits participate in the change of peptidyl-tRNA from the A to D positions. When the D ribosomes were reacted with EF2 (elongation factor) and GTP, the available sulphydryl groups increased to 82; addition of EF2 alone or with GDP, GDPCP or ATP failed to cause this increase, which has accordingly been attributed to an energy-dependent conformational change in the ribosome.Ribosomes were reconstructed from subunits with poly(U) and Phe-tRNA. In the presence of poly(U) only, a ribosome with 55 available SH groups was formed, thus corresponding to the stripped ribosomes. When both poly(U) and Phe-tRNA were present, a ribosome was formed with 44 available sulphydryl groups, corresponding approximately to an A-type ribosome. Since no EF1 or GTP was used in reconstructing this ribosome, these data indicate that the conformation of A-type ribosomes is not dependent on EF1 or GTP, but is due to the presence of tRNA at the acceptor site.We therefore incline to the view that the observed changes in available SH groups reflect conformational changes, with an opening up of ribosome structure as it progresses from having the peptidyl-tRNA at the A position to the D position and then binds EF2 and GTP, followed by a restoration of the more compact from when the incoming aminoacyl-tRNA is then bound.     

Identification of ribosome-bound eukaryotic initiation factor 2.GDP binary complex as an intermediate in polypeptide chain initiation reaction

Studies on the formation and release of the eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)-2.GDP binary complex formed during eIF-5-mediated assembly of an 80 S initiation complex have been carried out. Incubation of a 40 S initiation complex with eIF-5, in the presence or absence of 60 S ribosomal subunits at 25 degrees C, causes rapid and quantitative hydrolysis of ribosome-bound GTP to form an eIF-2.GDP binary complex and Pi. Analysis of both reaction products by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration reveals that while Pi is released from ribosomes, the eIF-2.GDP complex remains bound to the ribosomal initiation complex. The eIF-2.GDP binary complex can however be released from ribosome by subjecting the eIF-5-catalyzed reaction products to either longer periods of incubation at 37 degrees C or sucrose gradient centrifugation. Furthermore, addition of a high molar excess of isolated eIF-2.GDP binary complex to a 40 S initiation reaction mixture does not cause exchange of ribosome-bound eIF-2.GDP complex formed by eIF-5-catalyzed hydrolysis of GTP. These results indicate that eIF-2.GDP complex is directly formed on the surface of ribosomes following hydrolysis of GTP bound to a 40 S initiation complex, and that ribosome-bound eIF-2 X GDP complex is an intermediate in polypeptide chain initiation reaction.     

The guanine nucleotide exchange factor trio activates the phagocyte NADPH oxidase in the absence of GDP to GTP exchange on Rac. "The emperor's nw clothes"

The superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase complex of phagocytes consists of a membrane-associated flavocytochrome b(559) and four cytosolic components as follows: p47(phox), p67(phox), p40(phox), and the small GTPase Rac (1 or 2). Activation of the oxidase is the result of assembly of the cytosolic components with cytochrome b(559) and can be mimicked in vitro by mixtures of membrane and cytosolic components exposed to an anionic amphiphile, serving as activator. We reported that prenylation of Rac1 endows it with the ability to support oxidase activation in conjunction with p67(phox) but in the absence of amphiphile and p47(phox). We now show the following 6 points. 1) The Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor Trio markedly potentiates oxidase activation by prenylated Rac1-GDP. 2) This occurs in the absence of exogenous GTP or any other source of GTP generation, demonstrating that the effect of Trio does not involve GDP to GTP exchange on Rac1. 3) Trio does not potentiate oxidase activation by prenylated Rac1-GTP, by nonprenylated Rac1-GDP in the presence or absence of amphiphile, and by a prenylated [p67(phox)-Rac1] chimera in GDP-bound form. 4) Rac1 mutants defective in the ability to bind Trio or to respond to Trio by nucleotide exchange fail to respond to Trio by enhanced oxidase activation. 5) A Trio mutant with conserved Rac1-binding ability but lacking nucleotide exchange activity fails to enhance oxidase activation. 6) The effect of Trio is mimicked by displacement of Mg(2+) from Rac1-GDP. These results reveal the existence of a novel mechanism of Rac activation by a guanine nucleotide exchange factor and suggest that the induction by Trio of a conformational change in Rac1, in the absence of nucleotide exchange, is sufficient for enhancing its effector function.     

Role of guanine nucleotides in the regulation of the Ras/cAMP pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The CDC25 gene product is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Ras proteins in yeast. Recently it has been suggested that the intracellular levels of guanine nucleotides may influence the exchange reaction. To test this hypothesis we measured the levels of nucleotides in yeast cells under different growth conditions and the relative amount of Ras2-GTP. The intracellular GTP/GDP ratio was found to be very sensitive to growth conditions: the ratio is high, close to that of ATP/ADP during exponential growth, but it decreases rapidly before the beginning of stationary phase, and it drops further under starvation conditions. The addition of glucose to glucose-starved cells causes a fast increase of the GTP/GDP ratio. The relative amount of Ras2-GTP changes in a parallel way suggesting that there is a correlation with the cytosolic GTP/GDP ratio. In addition 'in vitro' mixed-nucleotide exchange experiments done on purified Ras2 protein demonstrated that the GTP and GDP concentrations influence the extent of Ras2-GTP loading giving further support to their possible regulatory role.     

Measurement of protein backbone <Superscript>13</Superscript>CO and <Superscript>15</Superscript>N relaxation dispersion at high resolution

The ³¹P NMR pressure response of guanine nucleotides bound to proteins has been studied in the past for characterizing the pressure perturbation of conformational equilibria. The pressure response of the ³¹P NMR chemical shifts of the phosphate groups of GMP, GDP, and GTP as well as the commonly used GTP analogs GppNHp, GppCH₂p and GTPγS was measured in the absence and presence of Mg²⁺-ions within a pressure range up to 200 MPa. The pressure dependence of chemical shifts is clearly non-linear. For all nucleotides a negative first order pressure coefficient B ₁ was determined indicating an upfield shift of the resonances with pressure. With exception of the α-phosphate group of Mg²⁺·GMP and Mg²⁺·GppNHp the second order pressure coefficients are positive. To describe the data of Mg²⁺·GppCH₂p and GTPγS a Taylor expansion of 3rd order is required. For distinguishing pH effects from pressure effects a complete pH titration set is presented for GMP, as well as GDP and GTP in absence and presence of Mg²⁺ ions using indirect referencing to DSS under identical experimental conditions. By a comparison between high pressure ³¹P NMR data on free Mg²⁺-GDP and Mg²⁺-GDP in complex with the proto-oncogene Ras we demonstrate that pressure induced changes in chemical shift are clearly different between both forms.     

Initiation of protein synthesis in animal mitochondria. Purification and characterization of translational initiation factor 2

Bovine liver mitochondrial translational initiation factor 2 (IF-2mt) has been purified to near homogeneity. The scheme developed results in a 24,000-fold purification of the factor with about 26% recovery of activity. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates that IF-2mt has a subunit molecular mass of 85 kDa. IF-2mt promotes the binding of formyl(f)Met-tRNA to mitochondrial ribosomes but is inactive with the nonformylated derivative. IF-2mt is active on chloroplast 30 S ribosomal subunits, but IF-2chl has no activity in promoting fMet-tRNA binding to animal mitochondrial ribosomes. IF-2mt is sensitive to elevated temperatures and is inactivated by treatment with N-ethylmaleimide. It is partially protected from heat and N-ethylmaleimide inactivation by the presence of either GTP or GDP suggesting that guanine nucleotides may bind to this factor directly. The binding of fMet-tRNA to mitochondrial ribosomes requires the presence of GTP and is inhibited by GDP. DeoxyGTP is very effective in replacing GTP in promoting fMet-tRNA binding to ribosomes and some activity is also observed with ITP. No activity is observed with ATP, CTP, or UTP. Nonhydrolyzable analogs of GTP can promote formation of both 28 S and 55 S initiation complexes indicating that GTP hydrolysis is not required for subunit joining in the animal mitochondrial system.     

Effect of elongation factor 2 and of adenosine diphosphate-ribosylated elongation factor 2 on translocation.

1. The effect of elongation factor 2 (EF 2) and of adenosine diphosphate-ribosylated elongation factor 2 (ADP-ribosyl-EF 2) on the shift of endogenous peptidyl-tRNA from the A to the P site of rat liver ribosomes (measured by the peptidyl-puromycin reaction) and on the release of deacylated tRNA (measured by aminoacylation) was investigated. 2. Limiting amounts of EF2, pre-bound or added to ribosomes, catalyse the shift of peptidyl-tRNA in the presence of GPT; when the enzyme is added in substrate amounts GMP-P(CH2)P [guanosine (beta, gamma-methylene)triphosphate] can partially replace GTP. ADP-ribosyl-EF 2 has no effect on the shift of peptidyl-tRNA when present in catalytic amounts, but becomes almost as effective as EF 2 when added in substrate amounts together with GTP; GMP-P(CH2)P cannot replace GTP. 3. The release of deacylated tRNA is induced only by substrate amounts of added EF 2 and also occurs in the absence of guanine nucleotides. In this reaction ADP-ribosyl-EF 2 is only 25% as effective as EF 2 in the absence of added nucleotide, but becomes 60-80% as effective in the presence of GTP or GMP-P(CH2)P. 4.The results obtained on protein-synthesizing systems are consistent with the hypothesis that ADP-ribosyl-EF 2 can operate a single round of translocation followed by binding of aminoacyl-tRNA and peptide-bond formation. 5. From the data obtained with the native enzyme it is concluded that the two moments of translocation require different conditions of interaction of EF 2 with ribosomes; it is suggested that the shift of peptidyl-tRNA is catalysed by EF 2 pre-bound to ribosomes, and that the release of tRNA is induced by a second molecule of interacting EF 2. The hydrolysis of GTP would be required for the release of pre-bound EF 2 from ribosomes. 5. The inhibition of the utilization of limiting amounts of EF 2 on ADP-ribosylation is very likely the consequence of a concomitant decrease in the rate of association and dissociation of the enzyme from ribosomes.     

Evidence that the primary effect of phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2(alpha) in rabbit reticulocyte lysate is inhibition of the release of eukaryotic initiation factor-2.GDP from 60 S ribosomal subunits

The phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 2 alpha that occurs when rabbit reticulocyte lysate is incubated in the absence of hemin or with poly(I.C) causes inhibition of polypeptide chain initiation by preventing a separate factor (termed RF) from promoting the exchange of GTP for GDP on eIF-2. When lysate was incubated in the presence of hemin and [14C] eIF-2 or [alpha-32P]GTP, we observed binding of eIF-2 and GDP or GTP to 60 S ribosomal subunits that was slightly greater than that bound to 40 S subunits and little binding to 80 S ribosomes. When incubation was in the absence of hemin or in the presence of hemin plus 0.1 microgram/ml poly(I.C), eIF-2 and GDP binding to 60 S subunits was increased 1.5- to 2-fold, that bound to 80 S ribosomes was almost as great as that bound to 60 S subunits, and that bound to 40 S subunits was unchanged. Our data indicate that about 40% of the eIF-2 that becomes bound to 60 S subunits and 80 S ribosomes in the absence of hemin or with poly(I.C) is eIF-2(alpha-P) and suggest that the eIF-2 and GDP bound is probably in the form of a binary complex. The accumulation of eIF-2.GDP on 60 S subunits occurs before binding of Met-tRNAf to 40 S subunits becomes reduced and before protein synthesis becomes inhibited. The rate of turnover of GDP (presumably eIF-2.GDP) on 60 S subunits and 80 S ribosomes in the absence of hemin is reduced to less than 10% the control rate, because the dissociation of eIF-2.GDP is inhibited. Additional RF increases the turnover of eIF-2.GDP on 60 S subunits and 80 S ribosomes to near the control rate by promoting dissociation of eIF-2.GDP but not eIF-2(alpha-P).GDP. Our findings suggest that eIF-2.GTP binding to and eIF-2.GDP release from 60 S subunits may normally occur and serve to promote subunit joining. The phosphorylation of eIF-2 alpha inhibits polypeptide chain initiation by preventing dissociation of eIF-2.GDP from either free 60 S subunits (thus inhibiting subunit joining directly) or the 60 S subunit component of an 80 S initiation complex (thereby blocking elongation and resulting in the dissociation of the 80 S complex).     

Formation and release of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 X GDP complex during eukaryotic ribosomal polypeptide chain initiation complex formation

The formation and release of an eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)-2 X GDP binary complex during eIF-5-mediated assembly of an 80 S ribosomal polypeptide chain initiation complex have been studied by sucrose gradient centrifugation analysis. Isolated 40 S initiation complex reacts with eIF-5 and 60 S ribosomal subunits to form an 80 S ribosomal initiation complex with concomitant hydrolysis of an equimolar amount of bound GTP to GDP and Pi. Sucrose gradient analysis of reaction products revealed that GDP was released from ribosomes as an eIF-2 X GDP complex. Evidence is presented that eIF-5-mediated hydrolysis releases the GTP bound to the 40 S initiation complex as an intact eIF-2 X GDP complex rather than as free GDP and eIF-2 which subsequently recombine to form the binary complex. Furthermore, formation and release of eIF-2 X GDP from the ribosomal complex do not require concomitant formation of an 80 S initiation complex since both reactions occur efficiently when the 40 S initiation complex reacts with eIF-5 in the absence of 60 S ribosomal subunits. These results, along with the observation that the 40 S initiation complex formed with the nonhydrolyzable analogue of GTP, 5'-guanylylmethylene diphosphonate, can neither join a 60 S ribosomal subunit nor releases ribosome-bound eIF-2, suggest that following eIF-5-mediated hydrolysis of GTP bound to the 40 S initiation complex, both Pi and eIF-2 X GDP complex are released from ribosomes prior to the joining of 60 S ribosomal subunits to the 40 S initiation complex.     

Role of yeast peptide elongation factor 3 (EF-3) at the AA-tRNA binding step

The stimulatory effect of peptide elongation factor 3 (EF-3), which is uniquely required for the yeast elongation cycle, on the step of binding of aminoacyl-tRNA (AA-tRNA) to ribosomes has been investigated in detail. Yeast EF-1 alpha apparently functions in a stoichiometric manner in the binding reaction of AA-tRNA to the ribosomes. The addition of EF-3 and ATP to this binding system strikingly stimulated the binding reaction, and the stimulated reaction proceeded catalytically with respect to both EF-1 alpha and EF-3, accompanied by ATP hydrolysis, indicating that EF-3 stimulated the AA-tRNA binding reaction by releasing EF-1 alpha from the ribosomal complex, thus recycling it. This binding stimulation by EF-3 was in many respects distinct from that by EF-1 beta gamma. The idea that EF-3 may participate in the regeneration of GTP from ATP and the formed GDP, as indicated by the findings that the addition of EF-3 along with ATP allowed the AA-tRNA binding and Phe polymerization reactions to proceed even in the presence of GDP in place of GTP, was not verified by the results of direct measurement of [32P]GTP formation from [gamma-32P]ATP and GDP under various conditions. Examination of the stability of the bound AA-tRNA disclosed the different binding states of AA-tRNA on ribosomes between in the cases of the complexes formed with EF-1 alpha alone, or factor-independently, and with EF-1 alpha and EF-3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Release and recycling of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 in the formation of an 80 S ribosomal polypeptide chain initiation complex.

The eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)-5 mediates hydrolysis of GTP bound to the 40 S initiation complex in the absence of 60 S ribosomal subunits. The eIF-2.GDP formed under these conditions is released from the 40 S ribosomal subunit while initiator Met-tRNA(f) remains bound. The released eIF-2.GDP can participate in an eIF-2B-catalyzed GDP/GTP exchange reaction to reform the Met-tRNA(f).eIF-2.GTP ternary complex. In contrast, when 60 S ribosomal subunits were also present in an eIF-5-catalyzed reaction, the eIF-2.GDP produced remained bound to the 60 S ribosomal subunit of the 80 S initiation complex. When such an 80 S initiation complex, containing bound eIF-2.GDP, was incubated with GTP and eIF-2B, GDP was released. However, eIF-2 still remained bound to the ribosomes and was unable to form a Met-tRNA(f)l.eIF-2.GTP ternary complex. In contrast, when 60 S ribosomal subunits were preincubated with either free eIF-2 or with eIF-2.eIF-2B complex and then added to a reaction containing both the 40 S initiation complex and eIF-5, the eIF-2.GDP produced did not bind to the 60 S ribosomal subunits but was released from the ribosomes. Thus, the 80 S initiation complex formed under these conditions did not contain bound eIF-2.GDP. Under similar experimental conditions, preincubation of 60 S ribosomal subunits with purified eIF-2B (free of eIF-2) failed to cause release of eIF-2.GDP from the ribosomal initiation complex. These results suggest that 60 S ribosome-bound eIF-2.GDP does not act as a direct substrate for eIF-2B-mediated release of eIF-2 from ribosomes. Rather, the affinity of 60 S ribosomal subunits for either eIF-2, or the eIF-2 moiety of the eIF-2.eIF-2B complex, prevents association of 60 S ribosomal subunits with eIF-2.GDP formed in the initiation reaction. This ensures release of eIF-2 from ribosomes following hydrolysis of GTP bound to the 40 S initiation complex.