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Cys-tRNACys formation and cysteine biosynthesis in methanogenic archaea: two faces of the same problem?

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Abstract.

Aminoacyl-tRNA (transfer RNA) synthetases are essential components of the cellular translation machinery as they provide the ribosome with aminoacyl-tRNAs. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis is generally well understood. However, the mechanism of Cys-tRNACys formation in three methanogenic archaea (Methanocaldococcus jannaschii, Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus and Methanopyrus kandleri) is still unknown, since no recognizable gene for a canonical cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase could be identified in the genome sequences of these organisms. Here we review the different routes recently proposed for Cys-tRNACys formation and discuss its possible link with cysteine biosynthesis in these methanogenic archaea.

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Author notes

  1. D. Tumbula-Hansen

    Present address: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29412, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, P.O. Box 208114, 266 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520-8114, USA

    A. Ambrogelly, S. Kamtekar, A. Sauerwald, B. Ruan, D. Tumbula-Hansen, D. Kennedy, I. Ahel & D. Söll

  2. Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520-8114, USA

    D. Söll

Authors
  1. A. Ambrogelly
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  2. S. Kamtekar
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  3. A. Sauerwald
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  4. B. Ruan
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  5. D. Tumbula-Hansen
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  6. D. Kennedy
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  7. I. Ahel
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  8. D. Söll
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. Söll.

Additional information

Received 4 May 2004; received after revision 27 May 2004; accepted 28 May 2004

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Ambrogelly, A., Kamtekar, S., Sauerwald, A. et al. Cys-tRNACys formation and cysteine biosynthesis in methanogenic archaea: two faces of the same problem?. CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 61, 2437–2445 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-004-4194-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-004-4194-9

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