Biology subjects

Llacer, J. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Llacer, J. L..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

The beta propellers of eIF3b and eIF3i relocate together to the ribosomal intersubunit interface during translation initiation

During eukaryotic translational initiation, the 48S ribosomal pre-initiation complex (PIC) scans the 5 untranslated region of mRNA until it encounters a start codon. We present a single particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) reconstruction of a yeast 48S PIC in an open scanning-competent state in which eIF3b is observed bound on the 40S subunit interface. eIF3b is re-located with eIF3i from their solvent-interface locations observed in other PIC structures; however, eIF3i is not in contact with the 40S. Re-processing of micrographs of our previous 48S PIC in a closed state using currently available tools reveal a similar re-location of eIF3b and eIF3i from the solvent to subunit interface. Genetic analysis indicates that high fidelity initiation in vivo depends strongly on eIF3b interactions at the subunit interface that either promote the closed conformation of the PIC on start codon selection or facilitate subsequent relocation back to the solvent side of the 40S subunit.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Translational initiation factor eIF5 replaces eIF1 on the 40S ribosomal subunit to promote start-codon recognition

In eukaryotic translation initiation AUG recognition of the mRNA requires accommodation of Met-tRNAi in a \"PIN\" state, which is antagonized by the factor eIF1. eIF5 is a GTPase activating protein (GAP) of eIF2 that additionally promotes stringent AUG selection, but the molecular basis of its dual function was unknown. We present a cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) reconstruction of a 48S pre-initiation complex (PIC), at an overall resolution of 3.0 [A], featuring the N-terminal domain (NTD) of eIF5 bound to the 40S subunit at the location vacated by eIF1. eIF5 interacts with and allows a more accommodated orientation of Met-tRNAi. Substitutions of eIF5 residues involved in the eIF5-NTD/tRNAi interaction influenced initiation at near-cognate UUG codons in vivo, and the closed/open PIC conformation in vitro, consistent with direct stabilization of the codon:anticodon duplex by the wild-type eIF5-NTD. The present structure reveals the basis for a key role of eIF5 in start-codon selection.

biophysics↗