This is the N-terminal domain of GatD protein present in Pyrococcus abyssi. Two GatD and two GatE associate to form a tetramer complex. The tetramer complex is able to mature Glutamic acid-tRNA Glutamine into Glutamine-tRNA Glutamine, a necessary step in the translation of proteins. The N-terminal domain is involved in anchoring GatD to GatE in order to form the tetramer [1].

1: Structural basis of RNA-dependent recruitment of glutamine to the genetic code. Oshikane H, Sheppard K, Fukai S, Nakamura Y, Ishitani R, Numata T, Sherrer RL, Feng L, Schmitt E, Panvert M, Blanquet S, Mechulam Y, Soll D, Nureki O; Science. 2006;312:1950-1954. PMID:16809540

2: Structural basis for tRNA-dependent amidotransferase function. Schmitt E, Panvert M, Blanquet S, Mechulam Y; Structure. 2005;13:1421-1433. PMID:16216574