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Common thiolation mechanism in the biosynthesis of tRNA thiouridine and sulphur-containing cofactors.

ABSTRACT: 2-Thioribothymidine (s(2)T), a modified uridine, is found at position 54 in transfer RNAs (tRNAs) from several thermophiles; s(2)T stabilizes the L-shaped structure of tRNA and is essential for growth at higher temperatures. Here, we identified an ATPase (tRNA-two-thiouridine C, TtuC) required for the 2-thiolation of s(2)T in Thermus thermophilus and examined in vitro s(2)T formation by TtuC and previously identified s(2)T-biosynthetic proteins (TtuA, TtuB, and cysteine desulphurases). The C-terminal glycine of TtuB is first activated as an acyl-adenylate by TtuC and then thiocarboxylated by cysteine desulphurases. The sulphur atom of thiocarboxylated TtuB is transferred to tRNA by TtuA. In a ttuC mutant of T. thermophilus, not only s(2)T, but also molybdenum cofactor and thiamin were not synthesized, suggesting that TtuC is shared among these biosynthetic pathways. Furthermore, we found that a TtuB-TtuC thioester was formed in vitro, which was similar to the ubiquitin-E1 thioester, a key intermediate in the ubiquitin system. The results are discussed in relation to the mechanism and evolution of the eukaryotic ubiquitin system.

SUBMITTER: Shigi N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2609741 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Common thiolation mechanism in the biosynthesis of tRNA thiouridine and sulphur-containing cofactors.

Shigi Naoki N Sakaguchi Yuriko Y Asai Shin-Ichi S Suzuki Tsutomu T Watanabe Kimitsuna K

The EMBO journal 20081127 24

2-Thioribothymidine (s(2)T), a modified uridine, is found at position 54 in transfer RNAs (tRNAs) from several thermophiles; s(2)T stabilizes the L-shaped structure of tRNA and is essential for growth at higher temperatures. Here, we identified an ATPase (tRNA-two-thiouridine C, TtuC) required for the 2-thiolation of s(2)T in Thermus thermophilus and examined in vitro s(2)T formation by TtuC and previously identified s(2)T-biosynthetic proteins (TtuA, TtuB, and cysteine desulphurases). The C-ter ...[more]

PMID: 19037260

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Project description:UnlabelledThe 2-thiouridine (s(2)U) modification of the wobble position in glutamate, glutamine, and lysine tRNA molecules serves to stabilize the anticodon structure, improving ribosomal binding and overall efficiency of the translational process. Biosynthesis of s(2)U in Escherichia coli requires a cysteine desulfurase (IscS), a thiouridylase (MnmA), and five intermediate sulfur-relay enzymes (TusABCDE). The E. coli MnmA adenylates and subsequently thiolates tRNA to form the s(2)U modification. Bacillus subtilis lacks IscS and the intermediate sulfur relay proteins, yet its genome contains a cysteine desulfurase gene, yrvO, directly adjacent to mnmA. The genomic synteny of yrvO and mnmA combined with the absence of the Tus proteins indicated a potential functionality of these proteins in s(2)U formation. Here, we provide evidence that the B. subtilis YrvO and MnmA are sufficient for s(2)U biosynthesis. A conditional B. subtilis knockout strain showed that s(2)U abundance correlates with MnmA expression, and in vivo complementation studies in E. coli IscS- or MnmA-deficient strains revealed the competency of these proteins in s(2)U biosynthesis. In vitro experiments demonstrated s(2)U formation by YrvO and MnmA, and kinetic analysis established a partnership between the B. subtilis proteins that is contingent upon the presence of ATP. Furthermore, we observed that the slow-growth phenotype of E. coli ΔiscS and ΔmnmA strains associated with s(2)U depletion is recovered by B. subtilis yrvO and mnmA. These results support the proposal that the involvement of a devoted cysteine desulfurase, YrvO, in s(2)U synthesis bypasses the need for a complex biosynthetic pathway by direct sulfur transfer to MnmA.ImportanceThe 2-thiouridine (s(2)U) modification of the wobble position in glutamate, glutamine, and lysine tRNA is conserved in all three domains of life and stabilizes the anticodon structure, thus guaranteeing fidelity in translation. The biosynthesis of s(2)U in Escherichia coli requires seven proteins: the cysteine desulfurase IscS, the thiouridylase MnmA, and five intermediate sulfur-relay enzymes (TusABCDE). Bacillus subtilis and most Gram-positive bacteria lack a complete set of biosynthetic components. Interestingly, the mnmA coding sequence is located adjacent to yrvO, encoding a cysteine desulfurase. In this work, we provide evidence that the B. subtilis YrvO is able to transfer sulfur directly to MnmA. Both proteins are sufficient for s(2)U biosynthesis in a pathway independent of the one used in E. coli.

Dataset Information

Common thiolation mechanism in the biosynthesis of tRNA thiouridine and sulphur-containing cofactors.

Publications

Common thiolation mechanism in the biosynthesis of tRNA thiouridine and sulphur-containing cofactors.

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