Molecule of the Month: Ribonuclease P
The ribozyme ribonuclease P cleaves pre-tRNA to form functional tRNA.
Ribozymes
tRNA Cleaver
RNase P Diversity
Molecular Fossil
Exploring the Structure
Ribonuclease P in Action
Uracil 80 (U80) is a conserved nucleotide of the human RNase P found in the ribozyme’s catalytic center. A close study of the nucleotides in the active site of RNase P reveal a conformational change in U80 upon binding tRNA. Superposition of RNase P with and without tRNA show bulging of U80 in the absence of tRNA (turquoise), creating a steric hinderance that renders catalysis inactive. When tRNA binds, U80 flips and turns catalysis on. Click on the image to explore structures of RNase P with and without tRNA (PDB ID 6ahu and 6ahr).
Topics for Further Discussion
- Several structures of RNase MRP are available in the PDB archive, including 6w6v.
- Be sure to visit the EMDataResource to explore the cryo-EM data supporting the structures of RNase P. For instance, take a look at the EMDataResource page for 6ahu.
- PRORPs are unique types of RNase that lack a catalytic RNA subunit. Explore the three-dimensional structure of a PRORP by looking at 4g24.
Related PDB-101 Resources
- Browse Nucleic Acids
- Browse Protein Synthesis
References
- 6k0b: Wan, F., Wang, Q., Tan, J., Tan, M., Chen, J., Shi, S., Lan, P., Wu, J., Lei, M. (2019) Cryo-electron microscopy structure of an archaeal ribonuclease P holoenzyme. Nature Communications 10: 2617-2617
- 6ahr, 6ahu : Wu, J., Niu, S., Tan, M., Huang, C., Li, M., Song, Y., Wang, Q., Chen, J., Shi, S., Lan, P., Lei, M. (2018) Cryo-EM Structure of the Human Ribonuclease P Holoenzyme. Cell 175, 1393-1404.
- Klemm, B.P., Wu, N., Chen, Y., Liu, X., Kaitany, K.J., Howard, M.J., Fierke, C.A. (2016) The diversity of ribonuclease P: Protein and RNA catalysts with analogous biological functions. Biomolecules 6: 27.
- 3q1q: Reiter, N., Osterman, A., Torres-Larios A., Swinger K.K., Pan T., Mondragon, A. (2010) Structure of a bacterial ribonuclease P holoenzyme in complex with tRNA. Nature 468, 784–789.
- Sun F.J., Caetano-Anollés, G. (2010) The ancient history of the structure of ribonuclease P and the early origins of Archaea. BMC Bioinformatics 11: 153.
- Holzmann, J., Frank, P., Loffler, E., Bennett, K.L., Gerner, C., Rossmanith, W. (2008) RNase P without RNA: Identification and functional reconstitution of the human mitochondrial tRNA processing enzyme. Cell 135: 462-474.
- Walker, S.C., Engelke, D.R. (2008) A protein-only RNase P in human mitochondria. Cell 135:412-414.
- Cech, T.R. (2002) Ribozymes, the first 20 years. Biochem Soc Trans 30: 1162–1166.
August 2021, Steven Arnold, Momodou Camara, Megan C. DiIorio, Dhyan Ray, David Goodsell, Shuchismita Dutta
http://doi.org/10.2210/rcsb_pdb/mom_2021_8