Structure of a transcribing T7 RNA polymerase initiation complex.

The structure of a T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) initiation complex captured transcribing a trinucleotide of RNA from a 17-base pair promoter DNA containing a 5-nucleotide single-strand template extension was determined at a resolution of 2.4 angstroms. Binding of the upstream duplex portion of the promoter occurs in the same manner as that in the open promoter complex, but the single-stranded template is repositioned to place the +4 base at the catalytic active site. Thus, synthesis of RNA in the initiation phase leads to accumulation or "scrunching" of the template in the enclosed active site pocket of T7 RNAP. Only three base pairs of heteroduplex are formed before the RNA peels off the template.

Insights into editing from an ile-tRNA synthetase structure with tRNAile and mupirocin.

Isoleucyl-transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetase (IleRS) joins Ile to tRNA(Ile) at its synthetic active site and hydrolyzes incorrectly acylated amino acids at its editing active site. The 2.2 angstrom resolution crystal structure of Staphylococcus aureus IleRS complexed with tRNA(Ile) and Mupirocin shows the acceptor strand of the tRNA(Ile) in the continuously stacked, A-form conformation with the 3' terminal nucleotide in the editing active site. To position the 3' terminus in the synthetic active site, the acceptor strand must adopt the hairpinned conformation seen in tRNA(Gln) complexed with its synthetase. The amino acid editing activity of the IleRS may result from the incorrect products shuttling between the synthetic and editing active sites, which is reminiscent of the editing mechanism of DNA polymerases.

Structure of DNA polymerase I Klenow fragment bound to duplex DNA.

Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I, which was cocrystallized with duplex DNA, positioned 11 base pairs of DNA in a groove that lies at right angles to the cleft that contains the polymerase active site and is adjacent to the 3' to 5' exonuclease domain. When the fragment bound DNA, a region previously referred to as the "disordered domain" became more ordered and moved along with two helices toward the 3' to 5' exonuclease domain to form the binding groove. A single-stranded, 3' extension of three nucleotides bound to the 3' to 5' exonuclease active site. Although this cocrystal structure appears to be an editing complex, it suggests that the primer strand approaches the catalytic site of the polymerase from the direction of the 3' to 5' exonuclease domain and that the duplex DNA product may bend to enter the cleft that contains the polymerase catalytic site.

Space-filling models of kinase clefts and conformation changes.

Space-filling models of yeast hexokinase, adenylate kinase, and phosphoglycerate kinase drawn by computer clearly portray the bilobal character of these phosphoryl transfer enzymes, and the deep cleft which is formed between the lobes. A dramatic conformational change occurs in hexokinase as glucose binds to the bottom of the cleft, which causes the two lobes of hexokinase to come together. A substrate-induced closing of the active site cleft is postulated to occur in other kinases as well. This change may provide a mechanism by which some of these enzymes reduce their inherent adenosine triphosphatase activity and could be a general requirement of the kinase reaction.

Crystal structure of a CAP-DNA complex: the DNA is bent by 90 degrees.

The 3 angstrom resolution crystal structure of the Escherichia coli catabolite gene activator protein (CAP) complexed with a 30-base pair DNA sequence shows that the DNA is bent by 90 degrees. This bend results almost entirely from two 40 degrees kinks that occur between TG/CA base pairs at positions 5 and 6 on each side of the dyad axis of the complex. DNA sequence discrimination by CAP derives both from sequence-dependent distortion of the DNA helix and from direct hydrogen-bonding interactions between three protein side chains and the exposed edges of three base pairs in the major groove of the DNA. The structure of this transcription factor--DNA complex provides insights into possible mechanisms of transcription activation.

Crystal structure of lac repressor core tetramer and its implications for DNA looping.

The crystal structure of the tryptic core fragment of the lac repressor of Escherichia coli (LacR) complexed with the inducer isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside was determined at 2.6 A resolution. The quaternary structure consists of two dyad-symmetric dimers that are nearly parallel to each other. This structure places all four DNA binding domains of intact LacR on the same side of the tetramer, and results in a deep, V-shaped cleft between the two dimers. Each monomer contributes a carboxyl-terminal helix to an antiparallel four-helix bundle that functions as a tetramerization domain. Some of the side chains whose mutation reduce DNA binding form clusters on a surface near the amino terminus. Placing the structure of the DNA binding domain complexed with operator previously determined by nuclear magnetic resonance onto this surface results in two operators being adjacent and nearly parallel to each other. Structural considerations suggest that the two dimers of LacR may flexibly alter their relative orientation in order to bind to the known varied spacings between two operators.

Fragments of the HIV-1 Tat protein specifically bind TAR RNA.

Proteolytically produced carboxyl-terminal fragments of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) Tat protein that include a conserved region rich in arginine and lysine bind specifically to transactivation response RNA sequences (TAR). A chemically synthesized 14-residue peptide spanning the basic subdomain also recognizes TAR, identifying this subdomain as central for RNA interaction. TAR RNA forms a stable hairpin that includes a six-residue loop, a trinucleotide pyrimidine bulge, and extensive duplex structure. Competition and interference experiments show that the Tat-derived fragments bind to double-stranded RNA and interact specifically at the pyrimidine bulge and adjacent duplex of TAR.

Structural relationship of bacterial RecA proteins to recombination proteins from bacteriophage T4 and yeast.

RecA protein is essential in eubacteria for homologous recombination and promotes the homologous pairing and strand exchange of DNA molecules in vitro. Recombination proteins with weak sequence similarity to bacterial RecA proteins have been identified in bacteriophage T4, yeast, and other higher organisms. Analysis of the primary sequence relationships of DMC1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and UvsX of T4 relative to the three-dimensional structure of RecA from Escherichia coli suggests that both proteins are structural homologs of bacterial RecA proteins. This analysis argues that proteins in this group are members of a single family that diverged from a common ancestor that existed prior to the divergence of prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Structural basis for misaminoacylation by mutant E. coli glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase enzymes.

A single-site mutant of Escherichia coli glutaminyl-synthetase (D235N, GlnRS7) that incorrectly acylates in vivo the amber suppressor supF tyrosine transfer RNA (tRNA(Tyr] with glutamine has been described. Two additional mutant forms of the enzyme showing this misacylation property have now been isolated in vivo (D235G, GlnRS10; I129T, GlnRS15). All three mischarging mutant enzymes still retain a certain degree of tRNA specificity; in vivo they acylate supE glutaminyl tRNA (tRNA(Gln] and supF tRNA(Tyr) but not a number of other suppressor tRNA's. These genetic experiments define two positions in GlnRS where amino acid substitution results in a relaxed specificity of tRNA discrimination. The crystal structure of the GlnRS:tRNA(Gln) complex provides a structural basis for interpreting these data. In the wild-type enzyme Asp235 makes sequence-specific hydrogen bonds through its side chain carboxylate group with base pair G3.C70 in the minor groove of the acceptor stem of the tRNA. This observation implicates base pair 3.70 as one of the identity determinants of tRNA(Gln). Isoleucine 129 is positioned adjacent to the phosphate of nucleotide C74, which forms part of a hairpin structure adopted by the acceptor end of the complexed tRNA molecule. These results identify specific areas in the structure of the complex that are critical to accurate tRNA discrimination by GlnRS.

Structure of E. coli glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase complexed with tRNA(Gln) and ATP at 2.8 A resolution.

The crystal structure of Escherichia coli glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (GlnRS) complexed with its cognate glutaminyl transfer RNA (tRNA(Gln] and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) has been derived from a 2.8 angstrom resolution electron density map and the known protein and tRNA sequences. The 63.4-kilodalton monomeric enzyme consists of four domains arranged to give an elongated molecule with an axial ratio greater than 3 to 1. Its interactions with the tRNA extend from the anticodon to the acceptor stem along the entire inside of the L of the tRNA. The complexed tRNA retains the overall conformation of the yeast phenylalanine tRNA (tRNA(Phe] with two major differences: the 3' acceptor strand of tRNA(Gln) makes a hairpin turn toward the inside of the L, with the disruption of the final base pair of the acceptor stem, and the anticodon loop adopts a conformation not seen in any of the previously determined tRNA structures. Specific recognition elements identified so far include (i) enzyme contacts with the 2-amino groups of guanine via the tRNA minor groove in the acceptor stem at G2 and G3; (ii) interactions between the enzyme and the anticodon nucleotides; and (iii) the ability of the nucleotides G73 and U1.A72 of the cognate tRNA to assume a conformation stabilized by the protein at a lower free energy cost than noncognate sequences. The central domain of this synthetase binds ATP, glutamine, and the acceptor end of the tRNA as well as making specific interactions with the acceptor stem.2+t is

Crystal structure at 3.5 A resolution of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase complexed with an inhibitor.

A 3.5 angstrom resolution electron density map of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase heterodimer complexed with nevirapine, a drug with potential for treatment of AIDS, reveals an asymmetric dimer. The polymerase (pol) domain of the 66-kilodalton subunit has a large cleft analogous to that of the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. However, the 51-kilodalton subunit of identical sequence has no such cleft because the four subdomains of the pol domain occupy completely different relative positions. Two of the four pol subdomains appear to be structurally related to subdomains of the Klenow fragment, including one containing the catalytic site. The subdomain that appears likely to bind the template strand at the pol active site has a different structure in the two polymerases. Duplex A-form RNA-DNA hybrid can be model-built into the cleft that runs between the ribonuclease H and pol active sites. Nevirapine is almost completely buried in a pocket near but not overlapping with the pol active site. Residues whose mutation results in drug resistance have been approximately located.

The complete atomic structure of the large ribosomal subunit at 2.4 A resolution.

The large ribosomal subunit catalyzes peptide bond formation and binds initiation, termination, and elongation factors. We have determined the crystal structure of the large ribosomal subunit from Haloarcula marismortui at 2.4 angstrom resolution, and it includes 2833 of the subunit's 3045 nucleotides and 27 of its 31 proteins. The domains of its RNAs all have irregular shapes and fit together in the ribosome like the pieces of a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle to form a large, monolithic structure. Proteins are abundant everywhere on its surface except in the active site where peptide bond formation occurs and where it contacts the small subunit. Most of the proteins stabilize the structure by interacting with several RNA domains, often using idiosyncratically folded extensions that reach into the subunit's interior.

The structural basis of ribosome activity in peptide bond synthesis.

Using the atomic structures of the large ribosomal subunit from Haloarcula marismortui and its complexes with two substrate analogs, we establish that the ribosome is a ribozyme and address the catalytic properties of its all-RNA active site. Both substrate analogs are contacted exclusively by conserved ribosomal RNA (rRNA) residues from domain V of 23S rRNA; there are no protein side-chain atoms closer than about 18 angstroms to the peptide bond being synthesized. The mechanism of peptide bond synthesis appears to resemble the reverse of the acylation step in serine proteases, with the base of A2486 (A2451 in Escherichia coli) playing the same general base role as histidine-57 in chymotrypsin. The unusual pK(a) (where K(a) is the acid dissociation constant) required for A2486 to perform this function may derive in part from its hydrogen bonding to G2482 (G2447 in E. coli), which also interacts with a buried phosphate that could stabilize unusual tautomers of these two bases. The polypeptide exit tunnel is largely formed by RNA but has significant contributions from proteins L4, L22, and L39e, and its exit is encircled by proteins L19, L22, L23, L24, L29, and L31e.

Genetic and crystallographic studies of the 3',5'-exonucleolytic site of DNA polymerase I.

Site-directed mutagenesis of the large fragment of DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment) yielded two mutant proteins lacking 3',5'-exonuclease activity but having normal polymerase activity. Crystallographic analysis of the mutant proteins showed that neither had any alteration in protein structure other than the expected changes at the mutation sites. These results confirmed the presumed location of the exonuclease active site on the small domain of Klenow fragment and its physical separation from the polymerase active site. An anomalous scattering difference Fourier of a complex of the wild-type enzyme with divalent manganese ion and deoxythymidine monophosphate showed that the exonuclease active site has binding sites for two divalent metal ions. The properties of the mutant proteins suggest that one metal ion plays a role in substrate binding while the other is involved in catalysis of the exonuclease reaction.

Synthesis of a site-specific DNA-binding peptide.

The Hin recombinase binds to specific sites on DNA and mediates a recombination event that results in DNA inversion. In order to define the DNA-binding domain of the Hin protein two peptides 31 and 52 amino acids long were synthesized. Even though the 31mer encompassed the sequence encoding the putative helix-coil-helix-binding domain, it was not sufficient for binding to the 26-base pair DNA crossover site. However, the 52mer specifically interacted with the site and also effectively inhibited the Hin-mediated recombination reaction. The 52mer bound effectively to both the 26-base pair complete site and to a 14-base pair "half site." Nuclease and chemical protection studies with the 52mer helped to define the DNA base pairs that contributed to the specificity of binding. The synthetic peptide provides opportunities for new approaches to the study of the nature of protein-DNA interaction.

The geometry of the ribosomal polypeptide exit tunnel.

The geometry of the polypeptide exit tunnel has been determined using the crystal structure of the large ribosomal subunit from Haloarcula marismortui. The tunnel is a component of a much larger, interconnected system of channels accessible to solvent that permeates the subunit and is connected to the exterior at many points. Since water and other small molecules can diffuse into and out of the tunnel along many different trajectories, the large subunit cannot be part of the seal that keeps ions from passing through the ribosome-translocon complex. The structure referred to as the tunnel is the only passage in the solvent channel system that is both large enough to accommodate nascent peptides, and that traverses the particle. For objects of that size, it is effectively an unbranched tube connecting the peptidyl transferase center of the large subunit and the site where nascent peptides emerge. At no point is the tunnel big enough to accommodate folded polypeptides larger than alpha-helices.

Insights into transcription: structure and function of single-subunit DNA-dependent RNA polymerases.

Single-subunit RNA polymerases are widespread throughout prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, and also viruses. T7 RNA polymerase is one of the simplest DNA-dependent enzymes, capable of transcribing a complete gene without the need for additional proteins. During the past two years, three illuminating crystal structures of T7 RNA polymerase complexed to either T7 lysozyme, which is a transcription inhibitor, an open promoter DNA fragment or a promoter DNA fragment being transcribed into RNA at initiation have been determined. For the first time, these structures describe in detail the intricate mechanism of transcription initiation by T7 RNA polymerase, which is likely to be a general model for other related RNA polymerases.

Structural and functional insights provided by crystal structures of DNA polymerases and their substrate complexes.

New levels in the understanding of DNA replication have been achieved from recent crystal structure determinations of several DNA polymerases and their substrate complexes. The structure of an alpha family DNA polymerase from bacteriophage RB69 shows some similarities, but also considerable differences in structure and organization from the pol I family DNA polymerases. Also, the functions of three polymerase domains and their conserved residues have been clarified by studying structures of pol I family DNA polymerases complexed to their substrates. These structures also confirm that an identical two-metal ion catalytic mechanism proposed previously is used by both the nonhomologous pol I and pol beta family DNA polymerases.

Refinement of gamma delta resolvase reveals a strikingly flexible molecule.

BACKGROUND: gamma delta resolvase is a 20.5 kDa enzyme that catalyzes a site-specific recombination in the second step of the transposition of the gamma delta transposon and requires no cofactors other than Mg2+ for activity. Dimers of resolvase bind cooperatively to DNA at three inverted repeat sequences of differing geometry but catalyze recombination at only one site. RESULTS: The structure of the catalytic domain of gamma delta resolvase, which provides the protein-protein interactions in the synaptic complex, has been refined to an R-factor of 20% at 2.3 A resolution. The structures of the three independent monomers in the asymmetric unit are similar but not identical. Differences occur in the positions of surface loops and in the overall twist of the central beta-sheet of the molecule. The crystal also gives two independent structures for the dimeric form of the molecule, which also show significant differences in the relative orientations of their subunits. CONCLUSION: Resolvase is an unusually flexible protein. This conformational adaptability may be necessary to allow each of the 12 resolvase subunits in the synaptic complex to play a different but specific role in wrapping DNA, binding sites of differing geometry and catalyzing recombination.

Recombining the structures of HIV integrase, RuvC and RNase H.

The recently reported crystal structures of two recombination enzymes, the catalytic domain of HIV integrase and Escherichia coli RuvC, an endonuclease, are surprisingly similar to that of ribonuclease H suggesting the possibility that they have a common enzymatic mechanism.