Biomaterial Database

Enzymatic mechanism of an RNA ligase from wheat germ. 1983

R C Schwartz, and C L Greer, and P Gegenheimer, and J Abelson

We have characterized the mechanism of action of a wheat germ RNA ligase which has been partially purified on the basis of its ability to participate in in vitro splicing of yeast tRNA precursors (Gegenheimer, P., Gabius, H-J., Peebles, C.L., and Abelson, J. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 8365-8373). The preparation catalyzes the ligation of oligoribonucleotide substrates forming a 2'-phosphomonoester, 3',5'-phosphodiester linkage. The 5' terminus of an RNA substrate can have either a 5'-hydroxyl or a 5'-phosphate. The 5'-phosphate, which for a 5'-hydroxyl substrate can be introduced by a polynucleotide kinase activity in the preparation, is incorporated into the ligated junction. The 3' terminus can have either a 2',3'-cyclic phosphate or a 2'-phosphate. 2',3'-Cyclic phosphates can be converted into 2'-phosphates by a 2',3'-cyclic phosphate, 3'-phosphodiesterase activity in the preparation. The 2'-phosphate of the ligated product is derived from the phosphate at the 3' terminus of the substrate. Ligation proceeds with the adenylylation of the 5'-phosphorylated terminus to form an intermediate with a 5',5'-phosphoanhydride bond.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D010761	Phosphorus Radioisotopes	Unstable isotopes of phosphorus that decay or disintegrate emitting radiation. P atoms with atomic weights 28-34 except 31 are radioactive phosphorus isotopes.	Radioisotopes, Phosphorus
D010766	Phosphorylation	The introduction of a phosphoryl group into a compound through the formation of an ester bond between the compound and a phosphorus moiety.	Phosphorylations
D010944	Plants	Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of kingdom Plantae. Plants acquired chloroplasts by direct endosymbiosis of CYANOBACTERIA. They are characterized by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited growth at localized regions of cell divisions (MERISTEMS); cellulose within cells providing rigidity; the absence of organs of locomotion; absence of nervous and sensory systems; and an alternation of haploid and diploid generations. It is a non-taxonomical term most often referring to LAND PLANTS. In broad sense it includes RHODOPHYTA and GLAUCOPHYTA along with VIRIDIPLANTAE.	Plant
D011118	Polynucleotide Ligases	Catalyze the joining of preformed ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides in phosphodiester linkage during genetic processes. EC 6.5.1.	Polynucleotide Synthetases,Ligases, Polynucleotide,Synthetases, Polynucleotide
D011130	RNA Ligase (ATP)	An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of linear RNA to a circular form by the transfer of the 5'-phosphate to the 3'-hydroxyl terminus. It also catalyzes the covalent joining of two polyribonucleotides in phosphodiester linkage. EC 6.5.1.3.	Polyribonucleotide Synthetase,tRNA Ligase,Ligase, tRNA,Synthetase, Polyribonucleotide
D013379	Substrate Specificity	A characteristic feature of enzyme activity in relation to the kind of substrate on which the enzyme or catalytic molecule reacts.	Specificities, Substrate,Specificity, Substrate,Substrate Specificities
D014908	Triticum	A plant genus of the family POACEAE that is the source of EDIBLE GRAIN. A hybrid with rye (SECALE CEREALE) is called TRITICALE. The seed is ground into FLOUR and used to make BREAD, and is the source of WHEAT GERM AGGLUTININS.	Wheat,Durum Wheat,Triticum aestivum,Triticum durum,Triticum spelta,Triticum turgidum,Triticum turgidum subsp. durum,Triticum vulgare,Durum Wheats,Wheat, Durum