Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in archaea

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases establish the genetic code by linking specific amino acids to tRNAs that bear triplet anticodon sequences. The universal distribution of these enzymes across the phylogenetic tree suggests that they are among the oldest proteins to have developed extraordinary specificity towards amino acids and tRNAs. However, while extensive studies of synthetases of bacterial and eucaryotic domains have led to general principles of substrate specificity, these are not sufficient to understand synthetases of the archaea domain, which consists of organisms that thrive in extreme environments. For example, recent studies have identified a dual specific prolyl-tRNA synthetase (ProRS) of the archaeon Methanococcus jannaschii, which has the ability to activate both proline and cysteine and catalyze aminoacylation of tRNA with proline and cysteine. The dual specificity has challenged the traditional view of one synthetase for one amino acid and raised many fundamental questions about synthetase specificity. In addition, the discovery of the dual-specific ProRS suggests that it is associated with a multi-synthetase complex that builds a network of synthetase-synthetase interactions to enhance binding of general tRNA. This raises the possibility of a previously un-recognized evolutionary relationship with the multi-synthetase complex of eucarya. Further, recent studies show that the specificity of tRNA aminoacylation by the dual-specific ProRS requires modification, which is a major departure from ProRS of bacterial and eucarya domains. To understand tRNA recognition of the dual-specific ProRS, the identification of the necessary modifications is necessary. Aim 1 of this project is to elucidate the molecular and structural basis of the dual-specificity of M. jannaschii ProRS. Aim 2 is to test the networking ability of the dual-specific ProRS in the organization of a multi-synthetase complex. Aim 3 is to identify the modification required for the dual-specific ProRS to achieve specificity of tRNA recognition. These aims are to be integrated with the functional genomics of M. jannaschii to gain a broader insight into its aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases as a basis for understanding the origin and evolution of contemporary mRNA-encoded protein synthesis in extant organisms.