Alteration in location of a conserved GTPase-associated center of the ribosome induced by mutagenesis influences the structure of peptidyltransferase center and activity of elongation factor G

J Biol Chem. 2005 Sep 9;280(36):31882-9. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M505670200. Epub 2005 Jul 12.

Abstract

Translocation catalyzed by elongation factor G occurs after the peptidyltransferase reaction on the large ribosomal subunit. Deacylated tRNA in the P-site stimulates multiple turnover GTPase activity of EF-G. We suggest that the allosteric signal from the peptidyltransferase center that activates EF-G may involve the alteration in the conformation of elongation factor binding center of the ribosome. The latter consists of the moveable GTPase-associated center and the sarcin-ricin loop that keeps its position on the ribosome during translation elongation. The position of the GTPase-associated center was altered by mutagenesis. An insertion of additional base pair at positions C1030/G1124 was lethal and affected function of EF-G, but not that of EF-Tu. Structure probing revealed a putative allosteric signal pathway connecting the P-site with the binding site of the elongation factors. The results are consistent with the different structural requirements for EF-G and EF-Tu function, where the integrity of the path between the peptidyltransferase center and both GTPase-associated center and sarcin-ricin loop is important for EF-G binding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Deinococcus
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / chemistry
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism*
  • Haloarcula marismortui
  • Mutation
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Peptide Elongation Factor G / metabolism*
  • Peptidyl Transferases / chemistry*
  • Peptidyl Transferases / metabolism*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / genetics*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / physiology
  • RNA, Transfer / metabolism
  • Ribosomes / genetics
  • Ribosomes / physiology*

Substances

  • Peptide Elongation Factor G
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 23S
  • RNA, Transfer
  • Peptidyl Transferases
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases