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The long‐range electrostatic interactions control tRNA–aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase complex formation
Author(s) -
Tworowski Dmitry,
Safro Mark
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
protein science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.353
H-Index - 175
eISSN - 1469-896X
pISSN - 0961-8368
DOI - 10.1110/ps.0301203
Subject(s) - aminoacyl trna synthetase , transfer rna , electrostatics , range (aeronautics) , biology , chemistry , biochemistry , rna , materials science , gene , composite material
In most cases aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are negatively charged, as are the tRNA substrates. It is apparent that there are driving forces that provide a long‐range attraction between like charge aaRS and tRNA, and ensure formation of “close encounters.” Based on numerical solutions to the nonlinear Poisson‐Boltzmann equation, we evaluated the electrostatic potential generated by different aaRSs. The 3D‐isopotential surfaces calculated for different aaRSs at 0.01 kT/e contour level reveal the presence of large positive patches—one patch for each tRNA molecule. This is true for classes I and II monomers, dimers, and heterotetramers. The potential maps keep their characteristic features over a wide range of contour levels. The results suggest that nonspecific electrostatic interactions are the driving forces of primary stickiness of aaRSs–tRNA complexes. The long‐range attraction in aaRS–tRNA systems is explained by capture of negatively charged tRNA into “blue space area” of the positive potential generated by aaRSs. Localization of tRNA in this area is a prerequisite for overcoming the barrier of Brownian motion.