期刊名称:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
印刷版ISSN:0027-8424
电子版ISSN:1091-6490
出版年度:1991
卷号:88
期号:7
页码:2903-2907
DOI:10.1073/pnas.88.7.2903
语种:English
出版社:The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
摘要:Detailed comparisons between the structures of the tRNA-bound Escherichia coli glutaminyl-tRNA (Gln-tRNA) synthetase [L-glutamine:tRNA(Gln) ligase (AMP-forming), EC 6.1.1.18 ] and recently refined E. coli methionyl-tRNA (Met-tRNA) synthetase [L-methionine:tRNA(Met) ligase (AMP-forming), EC 6.1.1.10 ] reveal significant similarities beyond the anticipated correspondence of their respective dinucleotide-fold domains. One similarity comprises a 23-amino acid alpha-helix-turn-beta-strand motif found in each enzyme within a domain that is inserted between the two halves of the dinucleotide binding fold. A second correspondence, which consists of two alpha-helices connected by a large loop and beta-strand, is located in the Gln-tRNA synthetase within a region that binds the inside corner of the "L"-shaped tRNA molecule. This structural motif contains a long alpha-helix, which extends along the entire length of the D and anticodon stems of the complexed tRNA. We suggest that the positioning of this helix relative to the dinucleotide fold plays a critical role in ensuring the proper global orientation of tRNA(Gln) on the surface of the enzyme. The structural correspondences suggest a similar overall orientation of binding of tRNA(Met) and tRNA(Gln) to their respective synthetases.