Elucidating the structure-function attributes of a trypanosomal arginyl-tRNA synthetase.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are fundamental components of the protein translation machinery. In light of their pivotal role in protein synthesis and structural divergence among species, they have always been considered potential targets for the development of antimicrobial compounds. Arginyl-tRNA synthetase from Trypanosoma cruzi (TcArgRS), the parasite responsible for causing Chagas Disease, contains a 100-amino acid insertion that was found to be completely absent in the human counterpart of similar length, as ascertained from multiple sequence alignment results. Thus, we were prompted to perform a preliminary characterization of TcArgRS using biophysical, biochemical, and bioinformatics tools. We expressed the protein in E. coli and validated its in-vitro enzymatic activity. Additionally, analysis of DTNB kinetics, Circular dichroism (CD) spectra, and ligand-binding studies using intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence measurements aided us to understand some structural features in the absence of available crystal structures. Our study indicates that TcArgRS can discriminate between L-arginine and its analogues. Among the many tested substrates, only L-canavanine and L-thioarginine, a synthetic arginine analogue exhibited notable activation. The binding of various substrates was also determined using in silico methods. This study may provide a viable foundation for studying small compounds that can be targeted against TcArgRS.

Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases, Indispensable Players in Lung Tumorigenesis.

Being an essential enzyme in protein synthesis, the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) have a conserved function throughout evolution. However, research has uncovered altered expressions as well as interactions of aaRSs, in league with aaRS-interacting multi-functional proteins (AIMPs), forming a multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC) and divulging into their roles outside the range of protein synthesis. In this review, we have directed our focus into the rudimentary structure of this compact association and also how these aaRSs and AIMPs are involved in the maintenance and progression of lung cancer, the principal cause of most cancer-related deaths. There is substantial validation that suggests the crucial role of these prime housekeeping proteins in lung cancer regulation. Here, we have addressed the biological role that the three AIMPs and the aaRSs play in tumorigenesis, along with an outline of the different molecular mechanisms involved in the same. In conclusion, we have introduced the potentiality of these components as possible therapeutics for the evolution of new-age treatments of lung tumorigenesis.