Recognition elements in rRNA for the tylosin resistance methyltransferase RlmA(II)

Isabelle Lebars, Clotilde Husson, Satoko Yoshizawa, Stephen Douthwaite, Dominique Fourmy

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The methyltransferase RlmA(II) (formerly TlrB) is found in many Gram-positive bacteria, and methylates the N-1 position of nucleotide G748 within the loop of hairpin 35 in 23S rRNA. Methylation of the rRNA by RlmA(II) confers resistance to tylosin and other mycinosylated 16-membered ring macrolide antibiotics. We have previously solved the solution structure of hairpin 35 in the conformation that is recognized by the RlmA(II) methyltransferase from Streptococcus pneumoniae. It was shown that while essential recognition elements are located in hairpin 35, the interactions between RlmA(II) and hairpin 35 are insufficient on their own to support the methylation reaction. Here we use biochemical techniques in conjunction with heteronuclear/homonuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to define the RNA structures that are required for efficient methylation by RlmA(II). Progressive truncation of the rRNA substrate indicated that multiple contacts occur between RlmA(II) and nucleotides in stem-loops 33, 34 and 35. RlmA(II) appears to recognize its rRNA target through specific surface shape complementarity at the junction formed by these three helices. This means of recognition is highly similar to that of the orthologous Gram-negative methyltransferase, RlmA(I) (formerly RrmA), which also interacts with hairpin 35, but methylates at the adjacent nucleotide G745.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Molecular Biology
Volume372
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)525-534
Number of pages9
ISSN0022-2836
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14. Sept 2007

Keywords

  • Base Sequence
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Methylation
  • Methyltransferases
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protons
  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Substrate Specificity

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