Alternative conformations of the archaeal Nop56/58-fibrillarin complex imply flexibility in box C/D RNPs

J Mol Biol. 2007 Aug 31;371(5):1141-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2007.06.029. Epub 2007 Jun 15.

Abstract

The Nop56/58-fibrillarin heterocomplex is a core protein complex of the box C/D ribonucleoprotein particles that modify and process ribosomal RNAs. The previous crystal structure of the Archaeoglobus fulgidus complex revealed a symmetric dimer of two Nop56/58-fibrillarin complexes linked by the coiled-coil domains of the Nop56/68 proteins. However, because the A. fulgidus Nop56/58 protein lacks some domains found in most other species, it was thought that the bipartite architecture of the heterocomplex was not likely a general phenomenon. Here we report the crystal structure of the Nop56/58-fibrillarin complex bound with methylation cofactor, S-adenosyl-L-methionine from Pyrococcus furiosus, at 2.7 A. The new complex confirms the generality of the previously observed bipartite arrangement. In addition however, the conformation of Nop56/58 in the new structure differs substantially from that in the earlier structure. The distinct conformations of Nop56/58 suggest potential flexibility in Nop56/58. Computational normal mode analysis supports this view. Importantly, fibrillarin is repositioned within the two complexes. We propose that hinge motion within Nop56/58 has important implications for the possibility of simultaneously positioning two catalytic sites at the two target sites of a bipartite box C/D guide RNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Archaeal Proteins / chemistry*
  • Archaeoglobus fulgidus / metabolism*
  • Catalytic Domain
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / chemistry*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Methylation
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Pyrococcus furiosus / metabolism*
  • RNA / chemistry
  • Ribonucleoproteins / chemistry*
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / chemistry

Substances

  • Archaeal Proteins
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • fibrillarin
  • RNA
  • S-Adenosylmethionine