Hydroxyl radical footprinting modification reveals an intradomain communication pathway in EFL1 disrupted by a Shwachman-Diamond syndrome-associated mutation.

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by pancreatic insufficiency and neutropenia. While most cases are linked to mutations in the SBDS gene, some involve mutations in the GTPase EFL1. This protein works with SBDS to release the anti-association factor eIF6 from the 60S ribosomal subunit during ribosome biogenesis. The pathogenic EFL1 R1095Q mutant (R1086Q in yeast) exhibits altered guanine nucleotide recognition and impaired eIF6 release, prompting an investigation into its structural consequences. Using the yeast Efl1 orthologue in X-ray hydroxyl radical footprinting experiments, we tracked changes in solvent accessibility caused by the mutation. Although the mutation is situated in domain IV, widespread conformational changes were observed across the protein, particularly in domain I, suggesting a long-range intramolecular communication. Strikingly, the growth defect caused by the pathogenic mutation was rescued by a second mutation located in a allosteric pathway that spans from the nucleotide-binding pocket to domain IV. This compensatory mutation restored proper nuclear localization of eIF6 (Tif6 in yeast). These findings reveal that the R1086Q mutation disrupts a structural communication network within Efl1, impairing the conformational dynamics required for its activity. The loss of this coordination likely underlies the ribosome maturation defects observed in SDS cases linked to EFL1, offering new insights into the molecular basis of the disease.