2amc
Crystal structure of Phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase complexed with L-tyrosine
OverviewOverview
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) exert control over the faithful transfer of amino acids onto cognate tRNAs. Since chemical structures of various amino acids closely resemble each other, it is difficult to discriminate between them. Editing activity has been evolved by certain aaRSs to resolve the problem. In this study, we determined the crystal structures of complexes of T. thermophilus phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (PheRS) with L-tyrosine, p-chloro-phenylalanine, and a nonhydrolyzable tyrosyl-adenylate analog. The structures demonstrate plasticity of the synthetic site capable of binding substrates larger than phenylalanine and provide a structural basis for the proofreading mechanism. The editing site is localized at the B3/B4 interface, 35 A from the synthetic site. Glubeta334 plays a crucial role in the specific recognition of the Tyr moiety in the editing site. The tyrosyl-adenylate analog binds exclusively in the synthetic site. Both structural data and tyrosine-dependent ATP hydrolysis enhanced by tRNA(Phe) provide evidence for a preferential posttransfer editing pathway in the phenylalanine-specific system.
About this StructureAbout this Structure
2AMC is a Protein complex structure of sequences from Thermus thermophilus. Full crystallographic information is available from OCA.
ReferenceReference
Structural basis for discrimination of L-phenylalanine from L-tyrosine by phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase., Kotik-Kogan O, Moor N, Tworowski D, Safro M, Structure. 2005 Dec;13(12):1799-807. PMID:16338408 Page seeded by OCA on Sat May 3 19:12:49 2008