X-ray structures of the universal translation initiation factor IF2/eIF5B: Conformational changes on GDP and GTP binding

Antonina Roll-Mecak, Chune Cao, Thomas E. Dever, Stephen K. Burley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

205 Scopus citations

Abstract

X-ray structures of the universal translation initiation factor IF2/eIF5B have been determined in three states: free enzyme, inactive IF2/eIF5B-GDP, and active IF2/eIF5B-GTP. The 'chalice-shaped' enzyme is a GTPase that facilitates ribosomal subunit joining and Met-tRNA(i) binding to ribosomes in all three kingdoms of life. The conserved core of IF2/eIF5B consists of an N-terminal G domain (I) plus an EF-Tu-type β barrel (II), followed by a novel α/β/α-sandwich (III) connected via an α helix to a second EF-Tu-type β barrel (IV). Structural comparisons reveal a molecular lever, which amplifies a modest conformational change in the Switch 2 region of the G domain induced by Mg2+/GTP binding over a distance of 90 Å from the G domain active center to domain IV. Mechanisms of GTPase function and ribosome binding are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)781-792
Number of pages12
JournalCell
Volume103
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 22 2000
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'X-ray structures of the universal translation initiation factor IF2/eIF5B: Conformational changes on GDP and GTP binding'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this