Homodimer Architecture of QTRT2, the Noncatalytic Subunit of the Eukaryotic tRNA-Guanine Transglycosylase

The
bacterial enzyme tRNA-guanine transglycosylase (TGT) is involved
in the biosynthesis of queuosine, a modified nucleoside present in
the anticodon wobble position of tRNAHis, tRNATyr, tRNAAsp, and tRNAAsn. Although it forms a
stable homodimer endowed with two active sites, it is, for steric
reasons, able to bind and convert only one tRNA molecule at a time.
In contrast, its mammalian counterpart constitutes a heterodimer consisting
of a catalytic and a noncatalytic subunit, termed QTRT1 and QTRT2,
respectively. Both subunits are homologous to the bacterial enzyme,
yet only QTRT1 possesses all the residues required for substrate binding
and catalysis. In mice, genetic inactivation of the TGT results in
the uncontrolled oxidation of tetrahydrobiopterin and, accordingly,
phenylketonuria-like symptoms. For this reason and because of the
recent finding that mammalian TGT may be utilized for the treatment
of multiple sclerosis, this enzyme is of potential medical relevance,
rendering detailed knowledge of its biochemistry and structural architecture
highly desirable. In this study, we performed the kinetic characterization
of the murine enzyme, investigated potential quaternary structures
of QTRT1 and QTRT2 via noncovalent mass spectrometry, and, finally,
determined the crystal structure of the murine noncatalytic TGT subunit,
QTRT2. In the crystal, QTRT2 is clearly present as a homodimer that
is strikingly similar to that formed by bacterial TGT. In particular,
a cluster of four aromatic residues within the interface of the bacterial
TGT, which constitutes a “hot spot” for dimer stability,
is present in a similar constellation in QTRT2.