Crystal structure and functional analysis of the eukaryotic class II release factor eRF3 from S. pombe

Mol Cell. 2004 Apr 23;14(2):233-45. doi: 10.1016/s1097-2765(04)00206-0.

Abstract

Translation termination in eukaryotes is governed by two interacting release factors, eRF1 and eRF3. The crystal structure of the eEF1alpha-like region of eRF3 from S. pombe determined in three states (free protein, GDP-, and GTP-bound forms) reveals an overall structure that is similar to EF-Tu, although with quite different domain arrangements. In contrast to EF-Tu, GDP/GTP binding to eRF3c does not induce dramatic conformational changes, and Mg(2+) is not required for GDP binding to eRF3c. Mg(2+) at higher concentration accelerates GDP release, suggesting a novel mechanism for nucleotide exchange on eRF3 from that of other GTPases. Mapping sequence conservation onto the molecular surface, combined with mutagenesis analysis, identified the eRF1 binding region, and revealed an essential function for the C terminus of eRF3. The N-terminal extension, rich in acidic amino acids, blocks the proposed eRF1 binding site, potentially regulating eRF1 binding to eRF3 in a competitive manner.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Binding, Competitive
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Crystallography, X-Ray*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry*
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Genetic Variation
  • Guanosine Diphosphate / chemistry
  • Guanosine Triphosphate / chemistry
  • Magnesium / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Peptide Termination Factors / chemistry*
  • Peptide Termination Factors / genetics
  • Peptide Termination Factors / metabolism*
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Schizosaccharomyces / genetics*
  • Schizosaccharomyces / growth & development
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Peptide Termination Factors
  • peptide-chain-release factor 3
  • Guanosine Diphosphate
  • Guanosine Triphosphate
  • Magnesium

Associated data

  • PDB/1R5B
  • PDB/1R5N
  • PDB/1R5O