Work

Multiple-turnover thio-ATP hydrolase and phospho-enzyme intermediate formation activities catalyzed by an RNA enzyme

Year: 2006

Type: article

Abstract: Ribozymes that phosphorylate internal 2'-OH positions mimic the first mechanistic step of P-type ATPase enzymes by forming a phospho-enzyme intermediate. We previously described 2'-autophosphorylation and autothiophosphorylation by the 2PTmin3.2 ribozyme. In the present work we demonstrate that the thiophosphorylated form of this ribozyme can de-thiophosphorylate in the absence of ATPgammaS. Identical ionic conditions yield a thiophosphorylated strand when ATPgammaS is included, thus effecting a net ATPgammaS hydrolysis. The de-thiophosphorylation step is nearly independent of pH over the range of 6.3-8.5 and does not require a specifically folded RNA structure, but this step is greatly stimulated by transition metal ions. By monitoring thiophosphate release, we observe 29-46 ATPgammaS hydrolyzed per ribozyme strand in 24 h, corresponding to a turnover rate of 1.2-2.0 h(-1). The existence of an ATP- (or thio-ATP-)powered catalytic cycle raises the possibility of using ribozymes to transduce chemical energy into mechanical work for nucleic acid nanodevices.

Source: Nucleic Acids Research

DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkl413

Author: D. Saran

Institutions: Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana University

Language: English

Topic: RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,992

Funder: National Aeronautics and Space Administration