scholarly journals Time-resolved cryo-EM visualizes ribosomal translocation with EF-G and GTP

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E. Carbone ◽  
Anna B. Loveland ◽  
Howard B. Gamper ◽  
Ya-Ming Hou ◽  
Gabriel Demo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Atomic Resolution ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
30S Subunit

AbstractDuring translation, a conserved GTPase elongation factor—EF-G in bacteria or eEF2 in eukaryotes—translocates tRNA and mRNA through the ribosome. EF-G has been proposed to act as a flexible motor that propels tRNA and mRNA movement, as a rigid pawl that biases unidirectional translocation resulting from ribosome rearrangements, or by various combinations of motor- and pawl-like mechanisms. Using time-resolved cryo-EM, we visualized GTP-catalyzed translocation without inhibitors, capturing elusive structures of ribosome•EF-G intermediates at near-atomic resolution. Prior to translocation, EF-G binds near peptidyl-tRNA, while the rotated 30S subunit stabilizes the EF-G GTPase center. Reverse 30S rotation releases Pi and translocates peptidyl-tRNA and EF-G by ~20 Å. An additional 4-Å translocation initiates EF-G dissociation from a transient ribosome state with highly swiveled 30S head. The structures visualize how nearly rigid EF-G rectifies inherent and spontaneous ribosomal dynamics into tRNA-mRNA translocation, whereas GTP hydrolysis and Pi release drive EF-G dissociation.

scholarly journals Time-resolved cryo-EM visualizes ribosomal translocation with EF-G and GTP

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E Carbone ◽  
Anna B Loveland ◽  
Howard Gamper ◽  
Ya-Ming Hou ◽  
Gabriel Demo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Atomic Resolution ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
30S Subunit

During translation, a conserved GTPase elongation factor—EF-G in bacteria or eEF2 in eukaryotes—translocates tRNA and mRNA through the ribosome. EF-G has been proposed to act as a flexible motor that propels tRNA and mRNA movement, as a rigid pawl that biases unidirectional translocation resulting from ribosome rearrangements, or by various combinations of motor- and pawl-like mechanisms. Using time-resolved cryo-EM, we visualized GTP-catalyzed translocation without inhibitors, capturing elusive structures of ribosome·EF-G intermediates at near-atomic resolution. Prior to translocation, EF-G binds near peptidyl-tRNA, while the rotated 30S subunit stabilizes the EF-G GTPase center. Reverse 30S rotation releases Pi and translocates peptidyl-tRNA and EF-G by ~20 Å. An additional 4-Å translocation initiates EF-G dissociation from a transient ribosome state with highly swiveled 30S head. The structures visualize how nearly rigid EF-G rectifies inherent and spontaneous ribosomal dynamics into tRNA-mRNA translocation, whereas GTP hydrolysis and Pi release drive EF-G dissociation.

The ribosome as a molecular machine: the mechanism of tRNA–mRNA movement in translocation

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 658-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina V. Rodnina ◽  
Wolfgang Wintermeyer
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Subunit ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Thermal Fluctuations ◽  
Spontaneous Movement ◽  
Conformational States ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Directional Bias ◽  
Loosely Coupled ◽  
Dynamic Events

Translocation of tRNA and mRNA through the ribosome is one of the most dynamic events during protein synthesis. In the cell, translocation is catalysed by EF-G (elongation factor G) and driven by GTP hydrolysis. Major unresolved questions are: how the movement is induced and what the moving parts of the ribosome are. Recent progress in time-resolved cryoelectron microscopy revealed trajectories of tRNA movement through the ribosome. Driven by thermal fluctuations, the ribosome spontaneously samples a large number of conformational states. The spontaneous movement of tRNAs through the ribosome is loosely coupled to the motions within the ribosome. EF-G stabilizes conformational states prone to translocation and promotes a conformational rearrangement of the ribosome (unlocking) that accelerates the rate-limiting step of translocation: the movement of the tRNA anticodons on the small ribosomal subunit. EF-G acts as a Brownian ratchet providing directional bias for movement at the cost of GTP hydrolysis.

scholarly journals Irreversible chemical steps control intersubunit dynamics during translation

2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (40) ◽  
pp. 15364-15369 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Andrew Marshall ◽  
Magdalena Dorywalska ◽  
Joseph D. Puglisi
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Bond Formation ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Peptide Bond ◽  
Peptide Bond Formation ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
30S Subunit

The ribosome, a two-subunit macromolecular machine, deciphers the genetic code and catalyzes peptide bond formation. Dynamic rotational movement between ribosomal subunits is likely required for efficient and accurate protein synthesis, but direct observation of intersubunit dynamics has been obscured by the repetitive, multistep nature of translation. Here, we report a collection of single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer assays that reveal a ribosomal intersubunit conformational cycle in real time during initiation and the first round of elongation. After subunit joining and delivery of correct aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome, peptide bond formation results in a rapid conformational change, consistent with the counterclockwise rotation of the 30S subunit with respect to the 50S subunit implied by prior structural and biochemical studies. Subsequent binding of elongation factor G and GTP hydrolysis results in a clockwise rotation of the 30S subunit relative to the 50S subunit, preparing the ribosome for the next round of tRNA selection and peptide bond formation. The ribosome thus harnesses the free energy of irreversible peptidyl transfer and GTP hydrolysis to surmount activation barriers to large-scale conformational changes during translation. Intersubunit rotation is likely a requirement for the concerted movement of tRNA and mRNA substrates during translocation.

Elongation factor Tu, a GTPase triggered by codon recognition on the ribosome: mechanism and GTP consumption

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 1221-1227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina V. Rodnina ◽  
Tillmann Pape ◽  
Rainer Fricke ◽  
Wolfgang Wintermeyer
Keyword(s):  
Ternary Complex ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Peptide Bond ◽  
Elongation Factor Tu ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Codon Recognition ◽  
Fluorescence Measurements ◽  
A Site

The mechanism of elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) catalyzed aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) binding to the A site of the ribosome was studied. Two types of complexes of EF-Tu with GTP and aa-tRNA, EF-Tu∙GTP∙aa-tRNA (ternary) and (EF-Tu∙GTP)2∙aa-tRNA (quinternary), can be formed in vitro depending on the conditions. On interaction with the ribosomal A site, generally only one molecule of GTP is hydrolysed per aa-tRNA bound and peptide bond formed. The second GTP molecule from the quinternary complex is hydrolyzed only during translation of an oligo(U) tract in the presence of EF-G. The first step in the interaction between the ribosome and the ternary complex is the codon-independent formation of an initial complex. In the absence of codon recognition, the aa-tRNA–EF-Tu complex does not enter further steps of A site binding and remains in the initial binding state. Despite the rapid formation of the initial complex, the rate constant of GTP hydrolysis in the noncognate complex is four orders of magnitude lower compared with the cognate complex. This, together with the results of time-resolved fluorescence measurements, suggests that codon recognition by the ternary complex on the ribosome initiates a series of structural rearrangements that result in a conformational change of EF-Tu, presumably involving the effector region, which, in turn, triggers GTP hydrolysis and the subsequent steps of A site binding.Key words: translation, A site, codon recognition, fluorescence, stopped-flow.

scholarly journals Role of a ribosomal RNA phosphate oxygen during the EF-G–triggered GTP hydrolysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (20) ◽  
pp. E2561-E2568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Koch ◽  
Sara Flür ◽  
Christoph Kreutz ◽  
Eric Ennifar ◽  
Ronald Micura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Phosphate Group ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Elongation Cycle ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Catalytically Active ◽  
Gtpase Activation

Elongation factor-catalyzed GTP hydrolysis is a key reaction during the ribosomal elongation cycle. Recent crystal structures of G proteins, such as elongation factor G (EF-G) bound to the ribosome, as well as many biochemical studies, provide evidence that the direct interaction of translational GTPases (trGTPases) with the sarcin-ricin loop (SRL) of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is pivotal for hydrolysis. However, the precise mechanism remains elusive and is intensively debated. Based on the close proximity of the phosphate oxygen of A2662 of the SRL to the supposedly catalytic histidine of EF-G (His87), we probed this interaction by an atomic mutagenesis approach. We individually replaced either of the two nonbridging phosphate oxygens at A2662 with a methyl group by the introduction of a methylphosphonate instead of the natural phosphate in fully functional, reconstituted bacterial ribosomes. Our major finding was that only one of the two resulting diastereomers, the SP methylphosphonate, was compatible with efficient GTPase activation on EF-G. The same trend was observed for a second trGTPase, namely EF4 (LepA). In addition, we provide evidence that the negative charge of the A2662 phosphate group must be retained for uncompromised activity in GTP hydrolysis. In summary, our data strongly corroborate that the nonbridging proSP phosphate oxygen at the A2662 of the SRL is critically involved in the activation of GTP hydrolysis. A mechanistic scenario is supported in which positioning of the catalytically active, protonated His87 through electrostatic interactions with the A2662 phosphate group and H-bond networks are key features of ribosome-triggered activation of trGTPases.

scholarly journals Spontaneous ribosomal translocation of mRNA and tRNAs into a chimeric hybrid state

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (16) ◽  
pp. 7813-7818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Zhou ◽  
Laura Lancaster ◽  
John Paul Donohue ◽  
Harry F. Noller
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Intermediate Complex ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Hybrid State ◽  
Head Domain ◽  
30S Subunit ◽  
A Site ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Factor G

The elongation factor G (EF-G)–catalyzed translocation of mRNA and tRNA through the ribosome is essential for vacating the ribosomal A site for the next incoming aminoacyl-tRNA, while precisely maintaining the translational reading frame. Here, the 3.2-Å crystal structure of a ribosome translocation intermediate complex containing mRNA and two tRNAs, formed in the absence of EF-G or GTP, provides insight into the respective roles of EF-G and the ribosome in translocation. Unexpectedly, the head domain of the 30S subunit is rotated by 21°, creating a ribosomal conformation closely resembling the two-tRNA chimeric hybrid state that was previously observed only in the presence of bound EF-G. The two tRNAs have moved spontaneously from their A/A and P/P binding states into ap/P and pe/E states, in which their anticodon loops are bound between the 30S body domain and its rotated head domain, while their acceptor ends have moved fully into the 50S P and E sites, respectively. Remarkably, the A-site tRNA translocates fully into the classical P-site position. Although the mRNA also undergoes movement, codon–anticodon interaction is disrupted in the absence of EF-G, resulting in slippage of the translational reading frame. We conclude that, although movement of both tRNAs and mRNA (along with rotation of the 30S head domain) can occur in the absence of EF-G and GTP, EF-G is essential for enforcing coupled movement of the tRNAs and their mRNA codons to maintain the reading frame.

Binding of GDP to a ribosomal protein after elongation factor-2 dependent GTP hydrolysis

1992 ◽  
Vol 1132 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Lavergne ◽  
Anne-Marie Reboud ◽  
Bruno Sontag ◽  
Dominique Guillot ◽  
Jean-Paul Reboud
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Protein ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Elongation Factor 2

Modeling the structure of the ribosome

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 751-756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Easterwood ◽  
Stephen C. Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Atomic Resolution ◽  
Molecular Models ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
30S Subunit ◽  
Resolution Model ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Rna Protein Complexes

Considering the size and complexity of the ribosome and the growing body of data from a wide range of experiments on ribosomal structure, it is becoming increasingly important to develop tools that facilitate the development of reliable models for the ribosome. We use a combination of manual and computer-based approaches for building and refining models of the ribosome and other RNA–protein complexes. Our methods are aimed at determining the range of models compatible with the data, making quantitative statements about the positional uncertainties (resolution) of different regions, identifying conflicts in the data, establishing which regions of the ribosome need further experimental exploration, and, where possible, predicting the outcome of future experiments. Our previous low-resolution model for the small subunit of the Escherichia coli ribosome is briefly reviewed, along with progress on atomic resolution modeling of the mRNA–tRNA complex and its interaction with the decoding site of the 16S RNA.Key words: molecular models, 30S subunit, 16S decoding site, Escherichia coli, tRNA–mRNA complex.

Selenocysteine Inserting RNA Elements Modulate GTP Hydrolysis of Elongation Factor SelB†

Biochemistry ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 885-890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Hüttenhofer ◽  
August Böck
Keyword(s):  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Rna Elements ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

scholarly journals Elongation factor G initiates translocation through a power stroke

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (27) ◽  
pp. 7515-7520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunlai Chen ◽  
Xiaonan Cui ◽  
John F. Beausang ◽  
Haibo Zhang ◽  
Ian Farrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Power Stroke ◽  
Elongation Factor G ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Guanosine Triphosphatase ◽  
Prokaryotic Protein ◽  
Domain Iii ◽  
Factor G

During the translocation step of prokaryotic protein synthesis, elongation factor G (EF-G), a guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase), binds to the ribosomal PRE-translocation (PRE) complex and facilitates movement of transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and messenger RNA (mRNA) by one codon. Energy liberated by EF-G’s GTPase activity is necessary for EF-G to catalyze rapid and precise translocation. Whether this energy is used mainly to drive movements of the tRNAs and mRNA or to foster EF-G dissociation from the ribosome after translocation has been a long-lasting debate. Free EF-G, not bound to the ribosome, adopts quite different structures in its GTP and GDP forms. Structures of EF-G on the ribosome have been visualized at various intermediate steps along the translocation pathway, using antibiotics and nonhydolyzable GTP analogs to block translocation and to prolong the dwell time of EF-G on the ribosome. However, the structural dynamics of EF-G bound to the ribosome have not yet been described during normal, uninhibited translocation. Here, we report the rotational motions of EF-G domains during normal translocation detected by single-molecule polarized total internal reflection fluorescence (polTIRF) microscopy. Our study shows that EF-G has a small (∼10°) global rotational motion relative to the ribosome after GTP hydrolysis that exerts a force to unlock the ribosome. This is followed by a larger rotation within domain III of EF-G before its dissociation from the ribosome.

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