title: Impact of P-Site tRNA and antibiotics on ribosome mediated protein folding: studies using the Escherichia coli ribosome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ribosome, which acts as a platform for mRNA encoded polypeptide synthesis, is also capable of assisting in folding of polypeptide chains. The peptidyl transferase center (PTC) that catalyzes peptide bond formation resides in the domain V of the 23S rRNA of the bacterial ribosome. Proper positioning of the 3' -CCA ends of the A- and P-site tRNAs via specific interactions with the nucleotides of the PTC are crucial for peptidyl transferase activity. This RNA domain is also the center for ribosomal chaperoning activity. The unfolded polypeptide chains interact with the specific nucleotides of the PTC and are released in a folding competent form. In vitro transcribed RNA corresponding to this domain (bDV RNA) also displays chaperoning activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The present study explores the effects of tRNAs, antibiotics that are A- and P-site PTC substrate analogs (puromycin and blasticidin) and macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin and josamycin) on the chaperoning ability of the E. coli ribosome and bDV RNA. Our studies using mRNA programmed ribosomes show that a tRNA positioned at the P-site effectively inhibits the ribosome's chaperoning function. We also show that the antibiotic blasticidin (that mimics the interaction between 3'-CCA end of P/P-site tRNA with the PTC) is more effective in inhibiting ribosome and bDV RNA chaperoning ability than either puromycin or the macrolide antibiotics. Mutational studies of the bDV RNA could identify the nucleotides U2585 and G2252 (both of which interact with P-site tRNA) to be important for its chaperoning ability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both protein synthesis and their proper folding are crucial for maintenance of a functional cellular proteome. The PTC of the ribosome is attributed with both these abilities. The silencing of the chaperoning ability of the ribosome in the presence of P-site bound tRNA might be a way to segregate these two important functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Surojit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mondal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Bani Kumar
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Pathak
authors.affiliation: Dr. B.C Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering and Department of Biotechnology, Calcutta University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Sutapa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Chandana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barat
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018942:Macrolides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases / Q000378:metabolism; D017510:Protein Folding / Q000187:drug effects*; D058849:Protein Refolding / Q000187:drug effects; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D018942:Macrolides; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases