Structure, dynamics, and mechanism of the lead-dependent ribozyme

Leadzyme is a small catalytic RNA that was identified by in vitro selection for Pb2+-dependent cleavage from a tRNA library. Leadzyme employs a unique two-step Pb2+-specific mechanism to cleave within its active site. NMR and crystal structures of the active site revealed different folding patterns,...

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Main Authors: Qi Xin, Xia Tianbing
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: De Gruyter 2011-08-01
Series:Biomolecular Concepts
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1515/bmc.2011.029
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author Qi Xin
Xia Tianbing
author_facet Qi Xin
Xia Tianbing
author_sort Qi Xin
collection DOAJ
description Leadzyme is a small catalytic RNA that was identified by in vitro selection for Pb2+-dependent cleavage from a tRNA library. Leadzyme employs a unique two-step Pb2+-specific mechanism to cleave within its active site. NMR and crystal structures of the active site revealed different folding patterns, but neither features the in-line alignment for attack by the 2′-OH nucleophilic group. These experimentally determined structures most likely represent ground states and are catalytically inactive. There are significant dynamics of the active site and the motif samples multiple conformations at the ground states. Various metal ion binding sites have been identified, including one that may be occupied by a catalytic Pb2+. Based on functional group analysis, a computational model of the transition state has been proposed. This model features a unique base triple that is consistent with sequence and functional group requirements for catalysis. This structure is likely only populated transiently, but imposing appropriate conformational constraints may significantly stabilize this state thereby promoting catalysis. Other ions may inhibit the cleavage by competing for the Pb2+ binding site, or by stabilizing the ground state thereby suppressing its transition to the catalytically active conformation. Some rare earth ions can enhance the reaction via an unknown mechanism. Because of its unique chemistry and dynamic behavior, leadzyme can continue to serve as an excellent model system for teaching us RNA biology and chemistry.
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spelling doaj.art-f33cf84fcfb342d2bfa14ff8f2b101352022-12-21T22:37:05ZengDe GruyterBiomolecular Concepts1868-50211868-503X2011-08-012430531410.1515/bmc.2011.029Structure, dynamics, and mechanism of the lead-dependent ribozymeQi Xin0Xia Tianbing1Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USADepartment of Molecular and Cell Biology, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080-3021, USALeadzyme is a small catalytic RNA that was identified by in vitro selection for Pb2+-dependent cleavage from a tRNA library. Leadzyme employs a unique two-step Pb2+-specific mechanism to cleave within its active site. NMR and crystal structures of the active site revealed different folding patterns, but neither features the in-line alignment for attack by the 2′-OH nucleophilic group. These experimentally determined structures most likely represent ground states and are catalytically inactive. There are significant dynamics of the active site and the motif samples multiple conformations at the ground states. Various metal ion binding sites have been identified, including one that may be occupied by a catalytic Pb2+. Based on functional group analysis, a computational model of the transition state has been proposed. This model features a unique base triple that is consistent with sequence and functional group requirements for catalysis. This structure is likely only populated transiently, but imposing appropriate conformational constraints may significantly stabilize this state thereby promoting catalysis. Other ions may inhibit the cleavage by competing for the Pb2+ binding site, or by stabilizing the ground state thereby suppressing its transition to the catalytically active conformation. Some rare earth ions can enhance the reaction via an unknown mechanism. Because of its unique chemistry and dynamic behavior, leadzyme can continue to serve as an excellent model system for teaching us RNA biology and chemistry.https://doi.org/10.1515/bmc.2011.029conformational constraintsconformational dynamicsleadzymemetal ion specificitytwo-step mechanism
spellingShingle Qi Xin
Xia Tianbing
Structure, dynamics, and mechanism of the lead-dependent ribozyme
Biomolecular Concepts
conformational constraints
conformational dynamics
leadzyme
metal ion specificity
two-step mechanism
title Structure, dynamics, and mechanism of the lead-dependent ribozyme
title_full Structure, dynamics, and mechanism of the lead-dependent ribozyme
title_fullStr Structure, dynamics, and mechanism of the lead-dependent ribozyme
title_full_unstemmed Structure, dynamics, and mechanism of the lead-dependent ribozyme
title_short Structure, dynamics, and mechanism of the lead-dependent ribozyme
title_sort structure dynamics and mechanism of the lead dependent ribozyme
topic conformational constraints
conformational dynamics
leadzyme
metal ion specificity
two-step mechanism
url https://doi.org/10.1515/bmc.2011.029
work_keys_str_mv AT qixin structuredynamicsandmechanismoftheleaddependentribozyme
AT xiatianbing structuredynamicsandmechanismoftheleaddependentribozyme