429d
From Proteopedia
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF A LEADZYME; METAL BINDING AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CATALYSIS
Overview
The leadzyme is a small RNA motif that catalyzes a site-specific, Pb2+-dependent cleavage reaction. As such, it is an example of a metal-dependent RNA enzyme. Here we describe the X-ray crystallographic structure of the leadzyme, which reveals two independent molecules per asymmetric unit. Both molecules feature an internal loop in which a bulged purine base stack twists away from the helical stem. This kinks the backbone, rendering the phosphodiester bond susceptible to cleavage. The independent molecules have different conformations: one leadzyme copy coordinates Mg2+, whereas the other binds only Ba2+ or Pb2+. In the active site of the latter molecule, a single Ba2+ ion coordinates the 2'-OH nucleophile, and appears to mimic the binding of catalytic lead. These observations allow a bond cleavage reaction to be modeled, which reveals the minimal structural features necessary for catalysis by this small ribozyme.
About this Structure
Full crystallographic information is available from OCA.
Reference
Crystal structure of a lead-dependent ribozyme revealing metal binding sites relevant to catalysis., Wedekind JE, McKay DB, Nat Struct Biol. 1999 Mar;6(3):261-8. PMID:10074945 Page seeded by OCA on Sun May 4 22:17:21 2008
