NMR evidence for helix geometry modifications by a G-U wobble base pair in the acceptor arm of E. coli tRNA(Ala)

A ribooligonucleotide duplex representing the acceptor stem of E. coli RNA(Ala) with a G3-U70 wobble base pair, which is the main identity element for the recognition by the alanine-tRNA synthetase, has been characterized by 2D-NMR, as having two sequence variants with a regular Watson-Crick G3-C70 and an I3-U70 wobble pair, respectively. As compared to a regular A-RNA, the G-U base pair gives rise to variations of the local helix geometry which are reflected in distinct local chemical shift changes. Structural differences between the duplex possessing an I3-U70 base pair and the wild-type G3-U70 sequence have also been found. The nucleotides in the ubiquitous single-stranded NCCA terminus display a surprisingly high degree of stacking order, especially between A73, C74, and C75.