In vitro dimerization of human RIO2 kinase

Rio proteins form a conserved family of atypical protein kinases. Rio2 is a serine/threonine protein kinase/ATPase involved in pre-40S ribosomal maturation. Current crystal structures of archaeal and fungi Rio2 proteins report a monomeric form of the protein. Here, we describe three atomic structures of the human Rio2 kinase showing that it forms a homodimer. Upon self-association, the ATP-binding pocket is hidden from the solvent and the protein is locked in an apo state corresponding to an inactive form of the kinase. The homodimerization is mediated by key residues previously shown to be responsible for ATP binding and catalysis. This unusual protein kinase dimer reveals an intricate mechanism of mutually exclusive substrate binding and oligomeric state formation. We propose that this oligomeric state could serve a dual function in maintaining the protein in an inactive state and being a novel type of nuclear import signal. Significance StatementRio kinases form a family of atypical protein kinases that are believed to be ATPases rather than kinases. The three members of the Rio family are involved in ribosome biogenesis. We show here that contrarily to what was reported so far, Rio2 is able homodimerize in a conformation that locks it in an apo state, preventing its (re)association to pre-mature ribosomes. This unconventional self-association is not seen in any other protein kinase. This mechanism is likely to be transient and could used to efficiently re-import the protein to the nucleus.