A tRNA-independent Mechanism for Transamidosome Assembly Promotes Aminoacyl-tRNA Transamidation

摘要

Many bacteria lack genes encoding asparaginyl- and/or glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase and consequently rely on an indirect path for the synthesis of both Asn-tRNAAsn and Gln-tRNAGln. In some bacteria such as Thermus thermophilus, efficient delivery of misacylated tRNA to the downstream amidotransferase (AdT) is ensured by formation of a stable, tRNA-dependent macromolecular complex called the Asn-transamidosome. This complex enables direct delivery of Asp-tRNAAsn from the non-discriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase to AdT, where it is converted into Asn-tRNAAsn. Previous characterization of the analogous Helicobacter pylori Asn-transamidosome revealed that it is dynamic and cannot be stably isolated, suggesting the possibility of an alternative mechanism to facilitate assembly of a stable complex. We have identified a novel protein partner called Hp0100 as a component of a stable, tRNA-independent H. pylori Asn-transamidosome; this complex contains a non-discriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase, AdT, and Hp0100 but does not require tRNAAsn for assembly. Hp0100 also enhances the capacity of AdT to convert Asp-tRNAAsn into Asn-tRNAAsn by ～35-fold. Our results demonstrate that bacteria have adopted multiple divergent methods for transamidosome assembly and function.