title: p38 is essential for the assembly and stability of macromolecular tRNA synthetase complex: implications for its physiological significance.
abstract: Mammalian tRNA synthetases form a macromolecular complex with three nonenzyme factors: p43, p38, and p18. Here we introduced a mutation within the mouse p38 gene to understand its functional significance for the formation of the multi-tRNA synthetase complex. The complex was completely disintegrated by the deficiency of p38. In addition, the protein levels and catalytic activities of the component enzymes and cofactors were severely decreased. A partial truncation of the p38 polypeptide separated the associated components into different subdomains. The mutant mice showed lethality within 2 days of birth. Thus, this work provides the first evidence, to our knowledge, that p38 is essential for the structural integrity of the multi-tRNA synthetase complex and mouse viability.
authors.affiliation: National Creative Research Initiatives Center for ARS Network, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, San 56-1, Shillim-dong, Kwanak-gu, Seoul 151-746, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young-Sun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Joong-Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyoung June
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young Ha
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Heonyong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Young-Gyu
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Sunghoon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000604:Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D017353:Gene Deletion; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D021122:Protein Subunits; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000604:Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases