scholarly journals Aminoacyl tRNA Synthetases as Malarial Drug Targets: A Comparative Bioinformatics Study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothy Wavinya Nyamai ◽  
Özlem Tastan Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Motif Discovery ◽  
Protein Translation ◽  
Trna Synthetase ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
Multiple Sequence ◽  
Trna Synthetases ◽  
Aminoacyl Trna Synthetases ◽  
Potential Drug Targets

AbstractTreatment of parasitic diseases has been challenging due to the development of drug resistance by parasites, and thus there is need to identify new class of drugs and drug targets. Protein translation is important for survival of plasmodium and the pathway is present in all the life cycle stages of the plasmodium parasite. Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases are primary enzymes in protein translation as they catalyse the first reaction where an amino acid is added to the cognate tRNA. Currently, there is limited research on comparative studies of aminoacyl tRNA synthetases as potential drug targets. The aim of this study is to understand differences between plasmodium and human aminoacyl tRNA synthetases through bioinformatics analysis. Plasmodium falciparum, P. fragile, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. knowlesi, P. bergei, P. malariae and human aminoacyl tRNA synthetase sequences were retrieved from UniProt database and grouped into 20 families based on amino acid specificity. Despite functional and structural conservation, multiple sequence analysis, motif discovery, pairwise sequence identity calculations and molecular phylogenetic analysis showed striking differences between parasite and human proteins. Prediction of alternate binding sites revealed potential druggable sites in PfArgRS, PfMetRS and PfProRS at regions that were weakly conserved when compared to the human homologues. These differences provide a basis for further exploration of plasmodium aminoacyl tRNA synthetases as potential drug targets.

scholarly journals Genetic Validation of Leishmania donovani Lysyl-tRNA Synthetase Shows that It Is Indispensable for Parasite Growth and Infectivity

mSphere ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanya Chadha ◽  
N. Arjunreddy Mallampudi ◽  
Debendra K. Mohapatra ◽  
Rentala Madhubala
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Essential Gene ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Protein Translation ◽  
Trna Synthetase ◽  
Parasite Growth ◽  
Coding Sequences ◽  
Trna Synthetases ◽  
Aminoacyl Trna Synthetases

ABSTRACT Leishmania donovani is a protozoan parasite that causes visceral leishmaniasis. Increasing resistance and severe side effects of existing drugs have led to the need to identify new chemotherapeutic targets. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are ubiquitous and are required for protein synthesis. aaRSs are known drug targets for bacterial and fungal pathogens. Here, we have characterized and evaluated the essentiality of L. donovani lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LdLysRS). Two different coding sequences for lysyl-tRNA synthetases are annotated in the Leishmania genome database. LdLysRS-1 (LdBPK_150270.1), located on chromosome 15, is closer to apicomplexans and eukaryotes, whereas LdLysRS-2 (LdBPK_300130.1), present on chromosome 30, is closer to bacteria. In the present study, we have characterized LdLysRS-1. Recombinant LdLysRS-1 displayed aminoacylation activity, and the protein localized to the cytosol. The LdLysRS-1 heterozygous mutants had a restrictive growth phenotype and attenuated infectivity. LdLysRS-1 appears to be an essential gene, as a chromosomal knockout of LdLysRS-1 could be generated when the gene was provided on a rescuing plasmid. Cladosporin, a fungal secondary metabolite and a known inhibitor of LysRS, was more potent against promastigotes (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50], 4.19 µM) and intracellular amastigotes (IC50, 1.09 µM) than were isomers of cladosporin (3-epi-isocladosporin and isocladosporin). These compounds exhibited low toxicity to mammalian cells. The specificity of inhibition of parasite growth caused by these inhibitors was further assessed using LdLysRS-1 heterozygous mutant strains and rescue mutant promastigotes. These inhibitors inhibited the aminoacylation activity of recombinant LdLysRS. Our data provide a framework for the development of a new class of drugs against this parasite. IMPORTANCE Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are housekeeping enzymes essential for protein translation, providing charged tRNAs for the proper construction of peptide chains. These enzymes provide raw materials for protein translation and also ensure fidelity of translation. L. donovani is a protozoan parasite that causes visceral leishmaniasis. It is a continuously proliferating parasite that depends heavily on efficient protein translation. Lysyl-tRNA synthetase is one of the aaRSs which charges lysine to its cognate tRNA. Two different coding sequences for lysyl-tRNA synthetases (LdLysRS) are present in this parasite. LdLysRS-1 is closer to apicomplexans and eukaryotes, whereas LdLysRS-2 is closer to bacteria. Here, we have characterized LdLysRS-1 of L. donovani. LdLysRS-1 appears to be an essential gene, as the chromosomal null mutants did not survive. The heterozygous mutants showed slower growth kinetics and exhibited attenuated virulence. This study also provides a platform to explore LdLysRS-1 as a potential drug target.

Structure of nondiscriminating glutamyl-tRNA synthetase fromThermotoga maritima

2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 813-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuhiro Ito ◽  
Noriko Kiyasu ◽  
Risa Matsunaga ◽  
Seizo Takahashi ◽  
Shigeyuki Yokoyama
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Thermotoga Maritima ◽  
Trna Synthetase ◽  
Characteristic Structure ◽  
Trna Synthetases ◽  
Aminoacyl Trna Synthetases ◽  
Rossmann Fold

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases produce aminoacyl-tRNAs from the substrate tRNA and its cognate amino acid with the aid of ATP. Two types of glutamyl-tRNA synthetase (GluRS) have been discovered: discriminating GluRS (D-GluRS) and nondiscriminating GluRS (ND-GluRS). D-GluRS glutamylates tRNAGluonly, while ND-GluRS glutamylates both tRNAGluand tRNAGln. ND-GluRS produces the intermediate Glu-tRNAGln, which is converted to Gln-tRNAGlnby Glu-tRNAGlnamidotransferase. Two GluRS homologues fromThermotoga maritima, TM1875 and TM1351, have been biochemically characterized and it has been clarified that only TM1875 functions as an ND-GluRS. Furthermore, the crystal structure of theT. maritimaND-GluRS, TM1875, was determined in complex with a Glu-AMP analogue at 2.0 Å resolution. TheT. maritimaND-GluRS contains a characteristic structure in the connective-peptide domain, which is inserted into the catalytic Rossmann-fold domain. The glutamylation ability of tRNAGlnby ND-GluRS was measured in the presence of the bacterial Glu-tRNAGlnamidotransferase GatCAB. Interestingly, the glutamylation efficiency was not affected even in the presence of excess GatCAB. Therefore, GluRS avoids competition with GatCAB and glutamylates tRNAGln.

scholarly journals A novel pathway for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine in eukaryotes

1997 ◽  
Vol 328 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Celia ANTONIO ◽  
C. Marta NUNES ◽  
Helga REFSUM ◽  
K. Abraham ABRAHAM
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Crude Extract ◽  
Trna Synthetase ◽  
Synthetase Activity ◽  
Enzyme Complex ◽  
Homocysteine Thiolactone ◽  
Initiator Trna ◽  
Trna Synthetases ◽  
Aminoacyl Trna Synthetases ◽  
Reticulocyte Lysates

Activation of amino acid homocysteine was compared with that of methionine in rabbit crude liver extracts and purified multi-enzyme complex of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Activation was studied by measuring the incorporation of radioactive amino acid into unlabelled trichloroacetic-acid insoluble materials in the absence of protein synthesis. Homocysteine synthetase activity was found in the crude extract and in the purified multi-enzyme complex of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. On a molar basis, the activation of methionine by the crude extract was five times higher than the activation of homocysteine. There was a partial loss of Hcy-tRNA synthetase activity in the purified multi-enzyme complex. Preliminary reconstitution experiments indicated a requirement for an additional factor for Hcy-tRNA synthetase activity. TLC of the amino acid released from tRNA charged with [14C]homocysteine, revealed radioactivity in homocysteine, methionine and homocysteine thiolactone, indicating a conversion of tRNA-attached homocysteine to methionine. Total tRNA was separated on a benzoylated cellulose column into a fraction enriched in initiator tRNA and a methionine-accepting, but initiator tRNA-deficient, fraction. Homocysteine-accepting activity was present only in the initiator tRNA-enriched fraction. Based on the above data we propose that homocysteine activation in reticulocyte lysates, reported previously, also occurs in liver. Activated homocysteine is attached to initiator tRNA and then converted to methionine by a methylating enzyme. In the absence of methylation, tRNA-attached homocysteine is hydrolysed to produce homocysteine thiolactone.

scholarly journals Oxidation of cellular amino acid pools leads to cytotoxic mistranslation of the genetic code

eLife ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tammy J Bullwinkle ◽  
Noah M Reynolds ◽  
Medha Raina ◽  
Adil Moghal ◽  
Eleftheria Matsa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Genetic Code ◽  
Trna Synthetase ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Cellular Toxicity ◽  
Trna Synthetases ◽  
Aminoacyl Trna Synthetases ◽  
The Cost

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases use a variety of mechanisms to ensure fidelity of the genetic code and ultimately select the correct amino acids to be used in protein synthesis. The physiological necessity of these quality control mechanisms in different environments remains unclear, as the cost vs benefit of accurate protein synthesis is difficult to predict. We show that in Escherichia coli, a non-coded amino acid produced through oxidative damage is a significant threat to the accuracy of protein synthesis and must be cleared by phenylalanine-tRNA synthetase in order to prevent cellular toxicity caused by mis-synthesized proteins. These findings demonstrate how stress can lead to the accumulation of non-canonical amino acids that must be excluded from the proteome in order to maintain cellular viability.

scholarly journals Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases as potential drug targets of the Panthera pathogen Babesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyoti Chhibber-Goel ◽  
Sarthak Joshi ◽  
Amit Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Protein Translation ◽  
Trna Synthetase ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Trna Synthetases ◽  
Causative Agents

Abstract Background A century ago, pantheras were abundant across Asia. Illegal hunting and trading along with loss of habitat have resulted in the designation of Panthera as a genus of endangered species. In addition to the onslaught from humans, pantheras are also susceptible to outbreaks of several infectious diseases, including babesiosis. The latter is a hemoprotozoan disease whose causative agents are the eukaryotic parasites of the apicomplexan genus Babesia. Babesiosis affects a varied range of animals including humans (Homo sapiens), bovines (e.g. Bos taurus), pantheras (e.g. Panthera tigris, P. leo, P. pardus) and equines. Babesia spp. are transmitted by the tick vector Ixodes scapularis or ticks of domestic animals, namely Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and R. (B.) decoloratus. At the level of protein translation within these organisms, the conserved aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (aaRS) family offers an opportunity to identify the sequence and structural differences in the host (Panthera) and parasites (Babesia spp.) in order to exploit these for drug targeting Babesia spp. Methods Using computational tools we investigated the genomes of Babesia spp. and Panthera tigris so as to annotate their aaRSs. The sequences were analysed and their subcellular localizations were predicted using Target P1.1, SignalP 3.0, TMHMM v.2.0 and Deeploc 1.0 web servers. Structure-based analysis of the aaRSs from P. tigris and its protozoan pathogens Babesia spp. was performed using Phyre2 and chimera. Results We identified 33 (B. bovis), 34 (B. microti), 33 (B. bigemina) and 33 (P. tigris) aaRSs in these respective organisms. Poor sequence identity (~ 20–50%) between aaRSs from Babesia spp. and P. tigris was observed and this merits future experiments to validate new drug targets against Babesia spp. Conclusions Overall this work provides a foundation for experimental investigation of druggable aaRSs from Babesia sp. in an effort to control Babesiosis in Panthera.

scholarly journals Molecular basis of the multifaceted functions of human leucyl-tRNA synthetase in protein synthesis and beyond

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 4946-4959
Author(s):  
Ru-Juan Liu ◽  
Tao Long ◽  
Hao Li ◽  
JingHua Zhao ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Development ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Trna Synthetase ◽  
Trna Synthetases ◽  
Aminoacyl Trna Synthetases ◽  
Assembly Mechanism ◽  
Mtorc1 Pathway ◽  
Pathogenic Microbes

Abstract Human cytosolic leucyl-tRNA synthetase (hcLRS) is an essential and multifunctional enzyme. Its canonical function is to catalyze the covalent ligation of leucine to tRNALeu, and it may also hydrolyze mischarged tRNAs through an editing mechanism. Together with eight other aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AaRSs) and three auxiliary proteins, it forms a large multi-synthetase complex (MSC). Beyond its role in translation, hcLRS has an important moonlight function as a leucine sensor in the rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. Since this pathway is active in cancer development, hcLRS is a potential target for anti-tumor drug development. Moreover, LRS from pathogenic microbes are proven drug targets for developing antibiotics, which however should not inhibit hcLRS. Here we present the crystal structure of hcLRS at a 2.5 Å resolution, the first complete structure of a eukaryotic LRS, and analyze the binding of various compounds that target different sites of hcLRS. We also deduce the assembly mechanism of hcLRS into the MSC through reconstitution of the entire mega complex in vitro. Overall, our study provides the molecular basis for understanding both the multifaceted functions of hcLRS and for drug development targeting these functions.

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