A model for the aminoacyl-tRNA binding site of eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha

Eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) binds all the aminoacyl-tRNAs except the initiator tRNA in a GTP-dependent manner. While the GTP binding site is delineated by the three GTP binding consensus elements, less is known about the aminoacyl-tRNA binding sites. In order to better understand this site, we have initiated cross-linking and protease mapping studies of the EF-1 alpha-GTP-aminoacyl-tRNA complex. Two different chemical cross-linking reagents, trans-diaminedichloroplatinum(II) and diepoxybutane, were used to cross-link four different aminoacyl-tRNA species to EF-1 alpha. A series of peptides were obtained, located predominantly in domains II and III. The ability of aminoacyl-tRNA to protect protease digestion sites was also monitored, and domain II was found to be protected from digestion by aminoacyl-tRNA. Last, an aminoacyl-tRNA analog with a reactive group on the aminoacyl side chain, N epsilon-bromoacetyl-Lys-tRNA, was cross-linked to EF-1 alpha. This reagent cross-liked to histidine 296 in a GTP-dependent manner and thus localizes the aminoacyl group adjacent to domain II. A model is developed for aminoacyl-tRNA binding to EF-1 alpha based on its similarity to the prokaryotic factor EF-Tu, for which an x-ray crystal structure is available.