Riboswitches are RNA regulatory elements that govern gene expression by recognition of small molecule ligands via a high affinity aptamer domain. Molecular recognition can lead to active or attenuated gene expression states by controlling accessibility to mRNA signals necessary for transcription or translation. Key areas of inquiry focus on how an aptamer attains specificity for its effector, the extent to which the aptamer folds prior to encountering its ligand, and how ligand binding alters expression signal accessibility. Here we present crystal structures of the preQ 1 riboswitch from Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis in the preQ 1 -bound and free states. Although the mode of preQ 1 recognition is similar to that observed for preQ 0 , surface plasmon resonance revealed an apparent K D of 2.1 ؎ 0.3 nM for preQ 1 but a value of 35.1 ؎ 6.1 nM for preQ 0 . This difference can be accounted for by interactions between the preQ 1 methylamine and base G5 of the aptamer. To explore conformational states in the absence of metabolite, the free-state aptamer structure was determined. A14 from the ceiling of the ligand pocket shifts into the preQ 1 -binding site, resulting in "closed" access to the metabolite while simultaneously increasing exposure of the ribosome-binding site. Solution scattering data suggest that the free-state aptamer is compact, but the "closed" free-state crystal structure is inadequate to describe the solution scattering data. These observations are distinct from transcriptional preQ 1 riboswitches of the same class that exhibit strictly ligand-dependent folding. Implications for gene regulation are discussed.

The existence of cobalamin (Cbl)-dependent enzymes that are members of the radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) superfamily was previously predicted based on bioinformatic analysis. A number of these are Cbl-dependent methyltransferases but the details surrounding their reaction mechanisms have remained unclear. In this report we demonstrate the in vitro activity of GenK, a Cbl-dependent radical SAM enzyme that methylates an unactivated sp3 carbon during the biosynthesis of gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic. Experiments to investigate the stoichiometry of the GenK reaction revealed that one equivalent each of 5′-deoxyadenosine and S-adenosyl-homocysteine are produced for each methylation reaction catalyzed by GenK. Furthermore, isotope-labeling experiments demonstrate that the S-methyl group from SAM is transferred to Cbl and the aminoglycoside product during the course of the reaction. Based on these results, one mechanistic possibility for the GenK reaction can be ruled out and further questions regarding the mechanisms of Cbl-dependent radical SAM methyltransferases, in general, are discussed.

7-Carboxy-7-deazaguanine synthase (QueE) catalyzes a key S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet)- and Mg2+-dependent radical-mediated ring contraction step, which is common to the biosynthetic pathways of all deazapurine-containing compounds. QueE is a member of the AdoMet radical superfamily, which employs the 5′-deoxyadenosyl radical from reductive cleavage of AdoMet to initiate chemistry. To provide a mechanistic rationale for this elaborate transformation, we present the first crystal structure of a QueE, along with structures of pre- and post-turnover states. We find that substrate binds perpendicular to the [4Fe-4S]-bound AdoMet, exposing its C6 hydrogen atom for abstraction and generating the binding site for Mg2+, which directly coordinates to the substrate. The Burkholderia multivorans structure reported here varies from all other previously characterized members of the AdoMet radical superfamily in that it contains a hypermodified (β6/α3) protein core and an expanded cluster-binding motif CX14CX2C.

7-Carboxy-7-deazaguanine (CDG) synthase (QueE) catalyzes the complex heterocyclic radical-mediated conversion of 6-carboxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterin (CPH4) to CDG in the third step of the biosynthetic pathway to all 7-deazapurines. Here we present a detailed characterization of QueE from Bacillus subtilis to delineate the mechanism of conversion of CPH4 to CDG. QueE is a member of the radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) superfamily, all of which use a bound [4Fe-4S]+ cluster to catalyze the reductive cleavage of SAM cofactor to generate methionine and a 5′-deoxyadenosyl radical (5′-dAdo•), which initiates enzymatic transformations requiring H-atom abstraction. The UV-visible, EPR, and Mössbauer spectroscopic features of the homodimeric QueE point to the presence of a single [4Fe-4S] cluster per monomer. Steady-state kinetic experiments indicate a Km of 20 ± 7 μM for CPH4 and kcat of 5.4 ± 1.2 min-1 for the overall transformation. The kinetically determined Kapp for SAM is 45 ± 1 μM. QueE is also magnesium-dependent and exhibits a Kapp for the divalent metal ion of 0.21 ± 0.03 mM. The SAM cofactor supports multiple turnovers, indicating that it is regenerated at the end of each catalytic cycle. The mechanism of rearrangement of QueE was probed with CPH4 isotopologs containing deuterium at C-6 or the two prochiral positions at C-7. These studies implicate 5′-dAdo• as initiating the ring contraction reaction catalyzed by QueE by abstraction of the H-atom from C-6 of CPH4.