Structural Basis for Ligand Binding to the Guanidine-I Riboswitch
The guanidine-I riboswitch is a conserved RNA element with approximately 2,000 known examples across four phyla of bacteria. It exists upstream of nitrogen metabolism and multidrug resistance transporter genes and alters expression through the specific recognition of a free guanidinium cation. Here we report the structure of a guanidine riboswitch aptamer from Sulfobacillus acidophilus at 2.7 Å resolution. Helices P1, P1a, P1b, and P2 form a coaxial stack that acts as a scaffold for ligand binding. A previously unidentified P3 helix docks into P1a to form the guanidinium binding pocket, which is completely enclosed. Every functional group of the ligand is recognized through hydrogen bonding to guanine bases and phosphate oxygens. Guanidinium binding is further stabilized through cation-p interactions with guanine bases. This allows the riboswitch to recognize guanidinium while excluding other bacterial metabolites with a guanidino group, including the amino acid arginine.
SBC has implemented a Pilatus 3 X 6M detector into the User Program at beamline 19-ID. Data collected by our users has been of outstanding quality.
19-BM Robotic sample mounter available
A robot is available for use at beamline 19-BM. The sample dewar accommodates ten Unipuck magazines; pins must be 18mm in length and use either SSRL or ALS bases. Experienced users may now request remote access to 19-BM when applying for beamtime.
SBC Staff Hosting Changes
SBC staff are now available for User Support between the hours of 8:00am and 10:pm.
The on-line SBC Beamtime Request System allows users to view available beamtime on 19-ID and 19-BM, and to submit a request for rapid beamtime allocation.
Beamtime is available to the research community via a peer reviewed proposal system; it is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Biological and Environmental Research.
The Midwest Center for Structural Genomics (MCSG) is accepting applications for access to the MCSG User Resource.
MCSG's structure determination platform is well established, and combines technologies, robotics and expertise for gene cloning, protein production, and crystallization, as well as biochemical and biophysical characterization.