Neutron scattering studies of Escherichia coli tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase and of its interaction with tRNA Tyr

Abstract

Small-angle neutron scattering studies of Escherichia coli tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase indicate that in solution this enzyme is a dimer of M r, 91 (±6) × 10 3 with a radius of gyration R G of 37.8 ± 1.1 Å. The increase in the scattering mass of the enzyme upon binding tRNA Tyr has been followed in 20 m m-imidazole · HCl (pH 7.6), 10 m m-MgCl 2, 0.1 m m-EDTA, 10 m m-2-mercaptoethanol, 150 m m-KCl. A stoichiometry of one bound tRNA per dimeric enzyme molecule was found. The R G of the complex is equal to 41 ± 1 Å. Titration experiments in 74% 2H 2O, close to the matching point of tRNA, show an R G of 38.5 ± 1 Å for the enzyme moiety in the complex. From these values, a minimum distance of 49 Å between the centre of mass of the bound tRNA and that of the enzyme was calculated. In low ionic strength conditions (20 m m-imidazole-HCl (pH 7.6), 10 m m-MgCl 2, 0.1 m m-EDTA, 10 m m-2-mercaptoethanol) and at limiting tRNA concentrations with respect to the enzyme, titrations of the enzyme by tRNA Tyr are characterized by the appearance of aggregates, with a maximum scattered intensity at a stoichiometry of one tRNA per two enzyme molecules. At this point, the measured M r and R G values are compatible with a compact 1:2, tRNA: enzyme complex. This complex forms with a remarkably high stability constant: (enzyme:tRNA:enzyme)/(enzyme:tRNA)(enzyme) of 0.1 to 0.3(× 10 6) m −1 (at 20 °C). Upon addition of more tRNA, the complex dissociates in favour of the 1:1, enzyme:tRNA complex, which has a higher stability constant (1 to 3 (× 10 6) m −1).