Biology subjects

Erzberger, J. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Erzberger, J. P..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

The DEAD-box ATPase Dbp10/DDX54 initiates peptidyl transferase center formation during 60S ribosome biogenesis

DEAD-box ATPases play crucial roles in guiding rRNA restructuring events during the biogenesis of large (60S) ribosomal subunits, but their precise molecular functions are currently unknown. In this study, we present cryo-EM reconstructions of nucleolar pre-60S intermediates that reveal an unexpected, alternate secondary structure within the nascent peptidyl-transferase-center (PTC). Our analysis of three sequential nucleolar pre-60S intermediates reveals that the DEAD-box ATPase Dbp10/DDX54 remodels this alternate base pairing and enables the formation of the rRNA junction that anchors the mature form of the universally conserved PTC A-loop. Post-catalysis, Dbp10 captures rRNA helix H61, initiating the concerted exchange of biogenesis factors during late nucleolar 60S maturation. Our findings show that Dbp10 activity is essential for the formation of the ribosome active site and reveal how this function is integrated with subsequent assembly steps to drive the biogenesis of the large ribosomal subunit.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2022

rRNA methylation by Spb1 regulates the GTPase activity of Nog2 during 60S ribosomal subunit assembly

Biogenesis of the large ribosomal (60S) subunit involves the assembly of three rRNAs and 46 proteins, a process requiring approximately 70 ribosome biogenesis factors (RBFs) that bind and release the pre-60S at specific steps along the assembly pathway. The methyltransferase Spb1 and the K-loop GTPase Nog2 are essential RBFs that engage the rRNA A-loop during sequential steps in 60S maturation. Spb1 methylates the A-loop nucleotide G2922 and a catalytically deficient mutant strain (spb1D52A) has a severe 60S biogenesis defect. However, the assembly function of this modification is currently unknown. Here, we present cryo-EM reconstructions that reveal that unmethylated G2922 leads to the premature activation of Nog2 GTPase activity and capture a Nog2-GDP-AlF4- transition state structure that shows the direct involvement of unmodified G2922 in Nog2 GTPase activation. Intragenic and dosage suppressors indicate that the biogenesis defect in the spb1D52A strain is caused by reduced initial recruitment of Nog2 to early nucleoplasmic 60S intermediates. We propose that G2922 methylation levels regulate Nog2 stability on the pre-60S near the nucleolar/nucleoplasmic phase boundary, forming a kinetic checkpoint to regulate 60S production. Because multiple K-loop GTPases are involved in the assembly of ribosomes and other RNPs, our findings provide a template to study the role of RNA trans factors in modulating the regulatory functions of this important family of enzymes.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2022

Sequence-directed RNA remodeling within a topologically complex RNP substrate

DEAD-box ATPases are ubiquitous enzymes essential in all aspects of RNA biology. However, the limited in vitro catalytic activities described for these enzymes is at odds with their complex cellular roles, most notably in driving large-scale RNA remodeling steps during the assembly of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). We describe cryo-EM structures of 60S ribosomal biogenesis intermediates that reveal how context-specific RNA unwinding by the DEAD-box ATPase Spb4 results in extensive, sequence-directed remodeling of rRNA secondary structure. Multiple cis and trans interactions stabilize a post-catalytic, high-energy intermediate that drives the organization of the root helix structure within rRNA domain IV. This mechanism explains how limited strand separation by DEAD-box ATPases is leveraged to provide non-equilibrium directionality and ensure efficient and accurate RNP assembly.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2021

A comprehensive landscape of 60S ribosome biogenesis factors

Eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis is facilitated and regulated by numerous ribosome biogenesis factors (RBFs). High-resolution cryo-EM maps have defined the molecular interactions of RBFs during maturation, but many transient and dynamic interactions, particularly during early assembly, remain uncharacterized. Using quantitative proteomics and crosslinking coupled to mass spectrometry (XL-MS) data from a extensive set of pre-ribosomal particles, we derived a comprehensive and time-resolved interaction map of RBF engagement during 60S maturation. A novel filter that efficiently eliminates false positive interactions and integration of our MS data with known structural information allowed us to localize 22 unmapped RBFs to specific biogenesis intermediates and to identify 9 proteins that represent potentially new RBFs. Our analysis reveals an extensive interaction network for the casein kinase complex in 60S maturation and elucidates the timing and molecular function of 60S engagement by DEAD-box ATPases. Our data provide a powerful resource for future studies of 60S ribosome biogenesis.

biochemistry↗