Kinetic evidence for half-of-the-sites reactivity in tRNA/sup Trp/ aminoacylation by tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase from beef pancreas

The aminoacylation reaction catalyzed by the dimeric tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase from beef pancreas was studied under pre-steady-state conditions by the quenched-flowed method. The transfer of tryptophan to tRNA/sup Trp/ was monitored by using preformed enzyme-bis(tryptophanyl adenylate) complex. Combinations of either unlabeled or L-[14C]tryptophan-labeled tryptophanyl adenylate and of aminoacylation incubation mixtures containing either unlabeled tryptophan or L-[14C]tryptophan were used. The authors measured either the formation of a single labeled aminoacyl-tRNA/sup Trp/ per enzyme subunit or the turnover of labeled aminoacyl-tRNA/sup Trp/ synthesis. Four models were proposed to analyze the experimental data: (A) two independent and nonequivalent subunits; (B) a single active subunit (subunits presenting absolute half-of-the-sites reactivity); (C) alternate functioning of the subunits (flip-flop mechanism); (D) random functioning of the subunits with half-of-the-sites reactivity. The equations corresponding to the formation of labeled tryptophanyl-tRNA/sup Trp/ under each labeling conditions were derived for each model. By use of least-squares criteria, the experimental curves were fitted with the four models, and it was possible to disregard models B and C as likely mechanisms. Complementary experiments, in which there was no significant excess of ATP-Mg over the enzyme-adenylate complex, emphasized an activator effect of free L-tryptophan on the rate if aminoacylation. This result disfavored model A. Model D was in agreement with all data. The analyses showed that the transfer step was not the major limiting reaction in the overall aminoacylation process