The conserved CYS-X1-X2-Cys motif present in the TtcA protein is required for the thiolation of cytidine in position 32 of tRNA from Salmonella entefica serovar Typhimurium

The modified nucleoside 2-thiocytidine (s(2)C) has so far been found in tRNA from organisms belonging to the phylogenetic domains Archaea and Bacteria. In the bacteria Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, s(2)C is present in position 32 of only four tRNA species-tRNA(ICG)(Arg), tRNA(CCG)(Arg), tRNA(mnm5UCU)(Arg), is present in position 32 of only four tRNA species-tRNA,'9, CCG and tRNA(GCU)(Ser). An in-frame deletion of an S. enterica gene (designated ttcA, for two-thio-cytidine) was constructed, and such a mutant has no detectable s(2)C in its tRNA. The TtcA protein family is characterized by the existence of both a PP-loop and a Cys-X-1-X-2-Cys motif in the central region of the protein but can be divided into two distinct groups based on the presence and location of additional Cys-X-1-X-2-Cys motifs in terminal regions of the sequence. Mutant analysis showed that both cysteines in this central conserved Cys-X-1-X-2-Cys motif are required for the formation Of s(2)C. The DeltattcA1 mutant grows at the same rate as the congenic wild-type strain, and no growth disadvantage caused by the lack Of s(2)C was observed in a mixed-population experiment. Lack Of s(2)C32 did not reduce the selection rate at the ribosomal aminoacyl-tRNA site (A-site) for Arg-tRNA(ICG)(Arg) at any of its cognate CGN codons, whereas A-site selection at AGG by Arg-tRNA=._ ucu was dependent on the presence Of s(2)C32. The presence Of s(2)C32 in peptidyl-tRNA(CCU)(Arg) or in peptidyl-tRNA(mnm5UCU)(Arg) interfered with decoding in the A-site. The presence of s(2)C32 in tRNA c% decreased the rate of translation of the CGA codon but not that of the CGU codon.