Molecular mechanism of enzyme complexes catalyzing two-step reaction for Cys-tRNA synthesis

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H04334
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Structural biochemistry
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Tanaka Isao 北海道大学, 先端生命科学研究院, 名誉教授 (70093052)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 姚 閔 北海道大学, 先端生命科学研究院, 教授 (40311518)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: Ｘ線結晶構造解析 / tRNA修飾 / アミノアシル合成酵素

Outline of Final Research Achievements

For synthesizing a protein from DNA base sequence, it is necessary to correctly bind the amino acid to the transfer RNA (aminoacylation reaction), and usually the enzyme called aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (aaRS) plays its role. However, in methanogenic archaebacteria, an enzyme complex called transsulfursome (SepRS: SepCysE: SepCysS) does.
In this study, the reaction mechanism of this system was clarified using X-ray crystal structure analysis method, X-ray small angle scattering method, electron microscope observation and other biochemical methods.
Transsulfursome is thought to be the ancestral aminoacylation system. Therefore, it is expected that this research will go a step further to elucidate the mystery related to the birth of the genetic code in the future.

Free Research Field

Ｘ線構造解析