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Context-dependent anticodon recognition by class I lysyl-tRNA synthetases
D Söll1, H D Becker, P Plateau
1Center for Biomolecular Recognition, IMBG Laboratory B, The Panum Institute, Blegdamsvej 3c, DK 2200N, Copenhagen, Denmark. dieter.soll@yale.edu
Summary
Competition between aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases for tRNA anticodon sequences influences the evolution and distribution of lysyl-tRNA synthetase families. This competition may explain horizontal gene transfer events.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Lysyl-tRNA synthesis involves two distinct aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase families: subclass IIb and class I.
- Class I lysyl-tRNA synthetases (LysRSs) are found in archaea and some bacteria, differing from the class IIb found in most bacteria and eukarya.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anticodon recognition patterns of bacterial and archaeal class I LysRS.
- To explore the evolutionary implications of anticodon recognition and the distribution of LysRS families.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of tRNA(Lys) anticodon variants recognition by bacterial (Borrelia burgdorferi) and archaeal (Methanococcus maripaludis) class I LysRS.
- Phylogenetic examination of class I LysRS distribution in relation to asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (AsnRS).
Main Results:
- Bacterial LysRS recognized both U35 and U36, while archaeal LysRS primarily recognized U36.
- The presence of AsnRS correlated with U35/U36 recognition in class I LysRS, but not exclusively.
- Helicobacter pylori's class II LysRS, lacking AsnRS, also recognized U35 and U36.
Conclusions:
- Competition for overlapping tRNA anticodon sequences is a key factor in the phylogenetic distribution of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase families.
- This competition provides a framework for understanding horizontal gene transfer events in the evolution of class I LysRS.