Abstract

tRNA m5U54 methyltransferase (RUMT), the trnA gene product, catalyzes the AdoMet-dependent methylation of uridine 54 in all E. coli tRNAs. Our group has shown that the mechanism of RUMT is similar to that of thymidylate synthase (TS). A nucleophile (C324) adds to C6 of U54 via Michael addition to form a RUMT-tRNA covalent adduct, activating C5 for direct attack on the incipient methyl of AdoMet. The stereochemistry of addition for RUMT proceeds via the cis route, differing from that of TS, which proceeds via the trans route. The minimal features of tRNA necessary for recognition are found within the T-arm of tRNA, and include the T-loop closed by at least two base pairs of the stem. By comparison of substrate tRNAs and extensive mutagenesis of the T-arm, a consensus sequence for substrate activity was constructed. These data suggest that RUMT may have other RNAs as substrates. In vitro selection (SELEX) experiments have been initiated to identify RNA sequences competent to bind RUMT. Such an approach may permit identification of non-tRNA RUMT substrates. The Computer Graphics Laboratory will be used to identify the structure of RUMT as well as to help to identify its catalytic residues by using information in the data bank.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Type
Biotechnology Resource Grants (P41)
Project #
5P41RR001081-19
Application #
5222516
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
19
Fiscal Year
1996
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Publications

Kozak, John J; Gray, Harry B; Garza-López, Roberto A (2018) Relaxation of structural constraints during Amicyanin unfolding. J Inorg Biochem 179:135-145
Alamo, Lorenzo; Pinto, Antonio; Sulbarán, Guidenn et al. (2018) Lessons from a tarantula: new insights into myosin interacting-heads motif evolution and its implications on disease. Biophys Rev 10:1465-1477
Viswanath, Shruthi; Chemmama, Ilan E; Cimermancic, Peter et al. (2017) Assessing Exhaustiveness of Stochastic Sampling for Integrative Modeling of Macromolecular Structures. Biophys J 113:2344-2353
Chu, Shidong; Zhou, Guangyan; Gochin, Miriam (2017) Evaluation of ligand-based NMR screening methods to characterize small molecule binding to HIV-1 glycoprotein-41. Org Biomol Chem 15:5210-5219
Portioli, Corinne; Bovi, Michele; Benati, Donatella et al. (2017) Novel functionalization strategies of polymeric nanoparticles as carriers for brain medications. J Biomed Mater Res A 105:847-858
Alamo, Lorenzo; Koubassova, Natalia; Pinto, Antonio et al. (2017) Lessons from a tarantula: new insights into muscle thick filament and myosin interacting-heads motif structure and function. Biophys Rev 9:461-480
Nguyen, Hai Dang; Yadav, Tribhuwan; Giri, Sumanprava et al. (2017) Functions of Replication Protein A as a Sensor of R Loops and a Regulator of RNaseH1. Mol Cell 65:832-847.e4
Sofiyev, Vladimir; Kaur, Hardeep; Snyder, Beth A et al. (2017) Enhanced potency of bivalent small molecule gp41 inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 25:408-420
Nekouzadeh, Ali; Rudy, Yoram (2016) Conformational changes of an ion-channel during gating and emerging electrophysiologic properties: Application of a computational approach to cardiac Kv7.1. Prog Biophys Mol Biol 120:18-27
Towse, Clare-Louise; Vymetal, Jiri; Vondrasek, Jiri et al. (2016) Insights into Unfolded Proteins from the Intrinsic ?/? Propensities of the AAXAA Host-Guest Series. Biophys J 110:348-361

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