SGD Paper Help



Bassi GS and Weeks KM  (2003) Kinetic and thermodynamic framework for assembly of the six-component bI3 group I intron ribonucleoprotein catalyst. Biochemistry 42(33):9980-8

Abstract: The yeast mitochondrial bI3 group I intron RNA splices in vitro as a six-component ribonucleoprotein complex with the bI3 maturase and Mrs1 proteins. We report a comprehensive framework for assembly of the catalytically active bI3 ribonucleoprotein. (1) In the absence of Mg(2+), two Mrs1 dimers bind independently to the bI3 RNA. The ratio of dissociation to association rate constants, k(off)/k(on), is approximately equal to the observed equilibrium K(1/2) of 0.12 nM. (2) At magnesium ion concentrations optimal for splicing (20 mM), two Mrs1 dimers bind with strong cooperativity to the bI3 RNA. k(off)/k(on) is 15-fold lower than the observed K(1/2) of 11 nM, which reflects formation of an obligate intermediate involving one Mrs1 dimer and the RNA in cooperative assembly of the Mrs1-RNA complex. (3) The bI3 maturase monomer binds to the bI3 RNA at almost the diffusion-controlled limit and dissociates with a half-life of 1 h. k(off)/k(on) is approximately equal to the equilibrium K(D) of 2.8 pM. The bI3 maturase thus represents a rare example of a group I intron protein cofactor whose binding is adequately characterized by a one-step mechanism under conditions that promote splicing. (4) Maturase and Mrs1 proteins each bind the bI3 RNA tightly, but with only modest coupling (approximately 1 kcal/mol), suggesting that the proteins interact at independent RNA binding sites. Maturase binding functions to slow dissociation of Mrs1; whereas prior Mrs1 binding increases the bI3 maturase k(on) right to the diffusion limit. (5) At effective concentrations plausibly present in yeast mitochondria, a predominant assembly pathway emerges involving rapid, tight binding by the bI3 maturase, followed by slower, cooperative assembly of two Mrs1 dimers. In the absence of other factors, disassembly of all protein subunits will occur in a single apparent step, governed by dissociation of the bI3 maturase.

Status: Published Type: Journal Article PubMed ID: 12924947

Topics addressed in this paper

Number of different genes curated to this paper: 2

  • To find other papers on a gene and topic, click on the colored ball in the appropriate box.
  • displays other papers with information about that topic for that gene.
  • displays other papers in SGD that are associated with that topic.
    The topic is addressed in these papers but does not describe a specific gene or chromosomal feature.
  • To go to the Locus page for a gene, click on the gene name.
Topics Genes linked to topics
BI3 MRS1
Function/Process blue ball blue ball
Primary Literature blue ball blue ball
Protein-Nucleic Acid Interactions blue ball blue ball
Protein-protein Interactions blue ball

Author Searches

To find contact information or other publications by the authors of this paper, follow these three steps:
  1. (1) Choose an author,
  2. (2) Choose a search parameter,
  3. (3) Click to implement