Aminoacyl-tRNA syntheses (AARS) can catalyze the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent acylation of their cognate tRNA(s) with a specific amino acid. They can be seen as an index to reflect the energy metabolic rate of ischemic brain cells in ischemic penumbra. This study examined the relationship between arginyl-tRNA synthetase (ArgRS), one of the AARS, and cerebral ischemia in rats. The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established in rats. The expression levels of ArgRS protein and mRNA were detected in rat brain tissues at different time points following MCAO by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. The results showed that the MCAO model was successfully established. Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis revealed that the ArgRS protein and mRNA were expressed in brain cells in both ischemic and normal penumbra tissues. The expression levels of ArgRS protein and mRNA peaked at 6 h after MCAO and decreased gradually. At 24 h, the expression levels of ArgRs protein and mRNA in ischemic penumbral tissues were lower than those in normal tissues. The expression levels of ArgRS mRNA and protein in ischemic penumbra varied with ischemic time, suggesting that the energy metabolism of brain cells in penumbra changed dynamically after ischemia to ensure the endogenous self-protection of the body. The brain oxygen supply should be improved as soon as possible, especially within 6-12 h after ischemia, so as to meet the demand for energy metabolism in ischemic penumbra and make sure the cell structure remains stable.
Animals ; Arginine-tRNA Ligase ; biosynthesis ; Brain Ischemia ; genetics ; pathology ; Energy Metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Oxygen Consumption ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rats

The arginyl-tRNA synthetase (ArgRS) catalyzes the esterification reaction between L-arginine and its cognate tRNA(Arg). Previously reported structures of ArgRS shed considerable light on the tRNA recognition mechanism, while the aspect of amino acid binding in ArgRS remains largely unexplored. Here we report the first crystal structure of E. coli ArgRS (eArgRS) complexed with L-arginine, and a series of mutational studies using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Combined with previously reported work on ArgRS, our results elucidated the structural and functional roles of a series of important residues in the active site, which furthered our understanding of this unique enzyme.
Arginine ; chemistry ; Arginine-tRNA Ligase ; chemistry ; Binding Sites ; Catalytic Domain ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Escherichia coli ; Ligands ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Protein Binding ; Protein Conformation ; RNA, Transfer ; chemistry ; Structure-Activity Relationship

The expression changes of Rars gene in ischemia-injured neurons were investigated by detecting its translational product arginyl-tRNA synthetase (ArgRS), and the inhibitory effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on Rars gene were explored. Both IPC model and prolonged ischemia (PI) model were established by using the classic oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) method. The primary cultured neurons were assigned into the following groups: the experimental group (IPC+PI group), undergoing PI after a short period of IPC; the conditional control group (PI control group), subjected to PI without IPC; blank control group, the normally cultured neurons. The Rars transcriptional activities and ArgRS expression levels were measured at different time points after re-oxygenation (3 h/6 h/12 h/24 h). Data were collected and statistically analyzed. Compared to the blank control group, the Rars activities and ArgRS levels were significantly increased in PI control group, peaking at the time point of 6 h after re-oxygenation. Rars activities and ArgRS levels were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the PI control group at different time points after re-oxygenation. PI insult can induce an escalating activity of Rars and lead to ArgRS over-expression in primary cultured neurons. IPC can inhibit the increased Rars activity and down-regulate ArgRS expression of ischemia-insulted neurons. This mechanism may confer ischemic tolerance on neurons.
Animals ; Arginine-tRNA Ligase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; genetics ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Neurons ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Primary Cell Culture ; Rats