1Y44

Crystal structure of RNase Z

Summary for 1Y44

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb1y44/pdb
• Descriptor: Ribonuclease Z, ZINC ION, PHOSPHATE ION, ... (6 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: zinc-dependent metal hydrolase, hydrolase
• Biological source: Bacillus subtilis
• Total number of polymer chains: 2
• Total formula weight: 72431.44

Authors

de la Sierra-Gallay, I.L.,Pellegrini, O.,Condon, C. (deposition date: 2004-11-30, release date: 2005-01-25, Last modification date: 2024-11-06)

Primary citation

de la Sierra-Gallay, I.L.,Pellegrini, O.,Condon, C.
Structural basis for substrate binding, cleavage and allostery in the tRNA maturase RNase Z.
Nature, 433:657-661, 2005

PubMed Abstract: Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are synthesized as part of longer primary transcripts that require processing of both their 3' and 5' extremities in every living organism known. The 5' side is processed (matured) by the ubiquitously conserved endonucleolytic ribozyme, RNase P, whereas removal of the 3' tails can be either exonucleolytic or endonucleolytic. The endonucleolytic pathway is catalysed by an enzyme known as RNase Z, or 3' tRNase. RNase Z cleaves precursor tRNAs immediately after the discriminator base (the unpaired nucleotide 3' to the last base pair of the acceptor stem, used as an identity determinant by many aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases) in most cases, yielding a tRNA primed for addition of the CCA motif by nucleotidyl transferase. Here we report the crystal structure of Bacillus subtilis RNase Z at 2.1 A resolution, and propose a mechanism for tRNA recognition and cleavage. The structure explains the allosteric properties of the enzyme, and also sheds light on the mechanisms of inhibition by the CCA motif and long 5' extensions. Finally, it highlights the extraordinary adaptability of the metallo-hydrolase domain of the beta-lactamase family for the hydrolysis of covalent bonds.

PubMed: 15654328
DOI: 10.1038/nature03284

Experimental method

X-RAY DIFFRACTION (2.1 Å)