Structural insights into RNA-dependent eukaryal and archaeal selenocysteine formation.

ABSTRACT: The micronutrient selenium is present in proteins as selenocysteine (Sec). In eukaryotes and archaea, Sec is formed in a tRNA-dependent conversion of O-phosphoserine (Sep) by O-phosphoseryl-tRNA:selenocysteinyl-tRNA synthase (SepSecS). Here, we present the crystal structure of Methanococcus maripaludis SepSecS complexed with PLP at 2.5 A resolution. SepSecS, a member of the Fold Type I PLP enzyme family, forms an (alpha2)2 homotetramer through its N-terminal extension. The active site lies on the dimer interface with each monomer contributing essential residues. In contrast to other Fold Type I PLP enzymes, Asn247 in SepSecS replaces the conserved Asp in binding the pyridinium nitrogen of PLP. A structural comparison with Escherichia coli selenocysteine lyase allowed construction of a mode

SUBMITTER: Araiso Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2275076 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature