Structure and Function of an Elongation Factor P Subfamily in Actinobacteria

Pinheiro, Bruno; Scheidler, Christopher M.; Kielkowski, Pavel; Schmid, Marina; Forne, Ignasi; Ye, Suhui; Reiling, Norbert; Takano, Eriko; Imhof, Axel; Sieber, Stephan A.; Schneider, Sabine and Jung, Kirsten (2020): Structure and Function of an Elongation Factor P Subfamily in Actinobacteria. In: Cell Reports, Vol. 30, No. 13: pp. 4332-4342

Abstract

Translation of consecutive proline motifs causes ribosome stalling and requires rescue via the action of a specific translation elongation factor, EF-P in bacteria and archaeal/eukaryotic a/eIF5A. In Eukarya, Archaea, and all bacteria investigated so far, the functionality of this translation elongation factor depends on specific and rather unusual post-translational modifications. The phylum Actinobacteria, which includes the genera Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, and Streptomyces, is of both medical and economic significance. Here, we report that EF-P is required in these bacteria in particular for the translation of proteins involved in amino acid and secondary metabolite production. Notably, EF-P of Actinobacteria species does not need any post-translational modification for activation. While the function and overall 3D structure of this EF-P type is conserved, the loop containing the conserved lysine is flanked by two essential prolines that rigidify it. Actinobacteria's EF-P represents a unique subfamily that works without any modification.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Biology > Department Biology I
• Subjects: 500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology
• ISSN: 2211-1247
• Language: English