title: Structural basis for substrate binding, cleavage and allostery in the tRNA maturase RNase Z.
abstract: Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are synthesized as part of longer primary transcripts that require processing of both their 3' and 5' extremities in every living organism known. The 5' side is processed (matured) by the ubiquitously conserved endonucleolytic ribozyme, RNase P, whereas removal of the 3' tails can be either exonucleolytic or endonucleolytic. The endonucleolytic pathway is catalysed by an enzyme known as RNase Z, or 3' tRNase. RNase Z cleaves precursor tRNAs immediately after the discriminator base (the unpaired nucleotide 3' to the last base pair of the acceptor stem, used as an identity determinant by many aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases) in most cases, yielding a tRNA primed for addition of the CCA motif by nucleotidyl transferase. Here we report the crystal structure of Bacillus subtilis RNase Z at 2.1 A resolution, and propose a mechanism for tRNA recognition and cleavage. The structure explains the allosteric properties of the enzyme, and also sheds light on the mechanisms of inhibition by the CCA motif and long 5' extensions. Finally, it highlights the extraordinary adaptability of the metallo-hydrolase domain of the beta-lactamase family for the hydrolysis of covalent bonds.
authors.affiliation: CNRS UPR 9073, Université de Paris 7-Denis Diderot, France.
authors.forename: Inés
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Li de la Sierra-Gallay
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: Ciarán
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Condon
mesh_terms: D000494:Allosteric Regulation; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000201:enzymology*; D001665:Binding Sites; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D004722:Endoribonucleases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011487:Protein Conformation; D055672:Static Electricity; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D020124:Thermotoga maritima / Q000201:enzymology; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004722:Endoribonucleases; C110250:RNase Z; D001618:beta-Lactamases; D015032:Zinc