title: Functional analysis of the GTPases EngA and YhbZ encoded by Salmonella typhimurium.
abstract: The S. typhimurium genome encodes proteins, designated EngA and YhbZ, which have a high sequence identity with the GTPases EngA/Der and ObgE/CgtAE of Escherichia coli. The wild-type activity of the E. coli proteins is essential for normal ribosome maturation and cell viability. In order to characterize the potential involvement of the Salmonella typhimurium EngA and YhbZ proteins in ribosome biology, we used high stringency affinity chromatography experiments to identify strongly binding ribosomal partner proteins. A combination of biochemical and microcalorimetric analysis was then used to characterize these protein:protein interactions and quantify nucleotide binding affinities. These experiments show that YhbZ specifically interacts with the pseudouridine synthase RluD (KD=2 microM and 1:1 stoichiometry), and we show for the first time that EngA can interact with the ribosomal structural protein S7. Thermodynamic analysis shows both EngA and YhbZ bind GDP with a higher affinity than GTP (20-fold difference for EngA and 3.8-fold for YhbZ), and that the two nucleotide binding sites in EngA show a 5.3-fold difference in affinity for GDP. We report a fluorescence assay for nucleotide binding to EngA and YhbZ, which is suitable for identifying inhibitors specific for this ligand-binding site, which would potentially inhibit their biological functions. The interactions of YhbZ with ribosome structural proteins that we identify may demonstrate a previously unreported additional function for this class of GTPase: that of ensuring delivery of rRNA modifying enzymes to the appropriate region of the ribosome.
authors: Institute of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors: Heather K
authors: HK
authors: Lamb
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Thompson
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Elliott
authors: Ian G
authors: IG
authors: Charles
authors: Jamie
authors: J
authors: Richards
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Lockyer
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Watkins
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Nichols
authors: David K
authors: DK
authors: Stammers
authors: Clive R
authors: CR
authors: Bagshaw
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Cooper
authors: Alastair R
authors: AR
authors: Hawkins
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D002151:Calorimetry / Q000379:methods; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer / Q000379:methods; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006153:Guanosine Diphosphate / Q000737:chemistry; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D011485:Protein Binding; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods*; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000737:chemistry; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000378:metabolism*; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D009711:Nucleotides; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins; D006153:Guanosine Diphosphate; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; C491572:ObgE protein, E coli; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins