SNAP output for PDB entry 5v6x [SNAP web server]

PDB-id

5v6x; SNAP-derived features in text and JSON formats; DNAproDB

Class

ligase-RNA

Method

X-ray (2.76 Å)

Summary

Crystal structure of the trna binding domain of pyrrolysyl-trna synthetase mutant (32a ntd) bound to trna(pyl)

Reference

Suzuki T, Miller C, Guo LT, Ho JML, Bryson DI, Wang YS, Liu DR, Soll D (2017): "Crystal structures reveal an elusive functional domain of pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase." Nat. Chem. Biol., 13, 1261-1266. doi: 10.1038/nchembio.2497.

Abstract

Pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) is a major tool in genetic code expansion using noncanonical amino acids, yet its structure and function are not completely understood. Here we describe the crystal structure of the previously uncharacterized essential N-terminal domain of this unique enzyme in complex with tRNA(Pyl). This structure explains why PylRS remains orthogonal in a broad range of organisms, from bacteria to humans. The structure also illustrates why tRNA(Pyl) recognition by PylRS is anticodon independent: the anticodon does not contact the enzyme. Then, using standard microbiological culture equipment, we established a new method for laboratory evolution-a noncontinuous counterpart of the previously developed phage-assisted continuous evolution. With this method, we evolved novel PylRS variants with enhanced activity and amino acid specificity. Finally, we employed an evolved PylRS variant to determine its N-terminal domain structure and show how its mutations improve PylRS activity in the genetic encoding of a noncanonical amino acid.