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Comparing activated sludge and aerobic granules as microbial inocula for phenol biodegradation.

Activated sludge and acetate-fed granules were used as microbial inocula to start up two sequencing batch reactors (R1, R2) for phenol biodegradation. The reactors were operated in 4-h cycles at a phenol loading of 1.8 kg m(-3) day(-1). The biomass in R1 failed to remove phenol and completely washed out after 4 days. R2 experienced initial difficulty in removing phenol, but the biomass acclimated quickly and effluent phenol concentrations declined to 0.3 mg l(-1) from day 3. The acetate-fed granules were covered with bacterial rods, but filamentous bacteria with sheaths, presumably to shield against toxicity, quickly emerged as the dominant morphotype upon phenol exposure. Bacterial adaptation to phenol also took the form of modifications in enzyme activity and increased production of extracellular polymers. 16S rRNA gene fingerprints revealed a slight decrease in bacterial diversity from day 0 to day 3 in R1, prior to process failure. In R2, a clear shift in community structure was observed as the seed evolved into phenol-degrading granules without losing species-richness. The results highlight the effectiveness of granules over activated sludge as seed for reactors treating toxic wastewaters.

Adaptation, Biological↗

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae YDL112w ORF encodes the putative 2'-O-ribose methyltransferase catalyzing the formation of Gm18 in tRNAs.

The protein sequences of three known RNA 2'-O-ribose methylases were used as probes for detecting putative homologs through iterative searches of genomic databases. We have identified 45 new positive Open Reading Frames (ORFs), mostly in prokaryotic genomes. Five complete eukaryotic ORFs were also detected, among which was a single ORF (YDL112w) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome. After genetic depletion of YDL112w, we observed a specific defect in tRNA ribose methylation, with the complete disappearance of Gm18 in all tRNAs that naturally contain this modification, whereas other tRNA ribose methylations and the complex pattern of rRNA ribose methylations were not affected. The tRNA G18 methylation defect was suppressed by transformation of the disrupted strain with a plasmid allowing expression of YDL112wp. The formation of Gm18 on an in vitro transcript of a yeast tRNASer naturally containing this methylation, which was efficiently catalyzed by cell-free extracts from the wild-type yeast strain, did not occur with extracts from the disrupted strain. The protein encoded by the YDL112w ORF, termed Trm3 (tRNA methylation), is therefore likely to be the tRNA (Gm18) ribose methylase. In in vitro assays, its activity is strongly dependent on tRNA architecture. Trm3p, the first putative tRNA ribose methylase identified in an eukaryotic organism, is considerably larger than its Escherichia coli functional homolog spoU (1,436 amino acids vs. 229 amino acids), or any known or putative prokaryotic RNA ribose methyltransferase. Homologs found in human (TRP-185 protein), Caenorhabditis elegans and Arabidopsis thaliana also exhibit a very long N-terminal extension not related to any protein sequence in databases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of two Escherichia coli pseudouridine synthases that show multisite specificity for 23S RNA.

Several putative Escherichia coli pseudouridine (Psi) synthases have been identified by iterative searching of genomic databases for ORFs homologous to known Psi synthases [Gustafsson et al. (1996) Nucleic Acids Res. 24, 3756-3762]. Of these, yceC and yfiI were proposed to encode Psi synthases which modify 23S rRNA. In the present work, yceC and yfiI were cloned and overexpressed in E. coli, and the encoded enzymes, YceC and YfiI, were purified to homogeneity. Both proteins converted Urd residues of rRNA to Psi, thus confirming their identities as Psi synthases. However, in in vitro experiments both enzymes extensively modified Urd residues of both 23S rRNA and 16S rRNA. Gene-disruption of yceCresulted in the absence of Psi modification at positions U955, 2504, and 2580 of 23S RNA, thus identifying these sites as in vivo targets for YceC. Likewise, yfiI disruption resulted in the absence of Psi modification at positions U1911, 1917, and possibly 1915 of 23S RNA. Disruption of yceC did not affect the growth under the conditions tested, whereas yfiI-disrupted cells showed a dramatic decrease in growth rate. Since YceC and YfiI hypermodify RNA in vitro, factors in addition to ribonucleotide sequence must contribute to the in vivo specificity of these enzymes.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Secondary structure of mouse 28S rRNA and general model for the folding of the large rRNA in eukaryotes.

We present a secondary structure model for the entire sequence of mouse 28S rRNA (1) which is based on an extensive comparative analysis of the available eukaryotic sequences, i.e. yeast (2, 3), Physarum polycephalum (4), Xenopus laevis (5) and rat (6). It has been derived with close reference to the models previously proposed for yeast 26S rRNA (2) and for prokaryotic 23S rRNA (7-9). Examination of the recently published eukaryotic sequences confirms that all pro- and eukaryotic large rRNAs share a largely conserved secondary structure core, as already apparent from the previous analysis of yeast 26S rRNA (2). These new comparative data confirm most features of the yeast model (2). They also provide the basis for a few modifications and for new proposals which extend the boundaries of the common structural core (now representing about 85% of E. coli 23S rRNA length) and bring new insights for tracing the structural evolution, in higher eukaryotes, of the domains which have no prokaryotic equivalent and are inserted at specific locations within the common structural core of the large subunit rRNA.

Animals↗

RNA sequence determinants for aminoglycoside binding to an A-site rRNA model oligonucleotide.

The codon-anticodon interaction on the ribosome occurs in the A site of the 30 S subunit. Aminoglycoside antibiotics, which bind to ribosomal RNA in the A site, cause misreading of the genetic code and inhibit translocation. Biochemical studies and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to characterize the interaction between the aminoglycoside antibiotic paromomycin and a small model oligonucleotide that mimics the A site of Escherichia coli 16 S ribosomal RNA. Upon chemical modification, the RNA oligonucleotide exhibits an accessibility pattern similar to that of 16 S rRNA in the 30 S subunit. In addition, the oligonucleotide binds specifically aminoglycoside antibiotics. The antibiotic binding site forms an asymmetric internal loop, caused by non-canonical base-pairs. Nucleotides that are important for binding of paromomycin were identified by performing quantitative footprinting on oligonucleotide sequence variants and include the C1407.G1494 base-pair, and A.U base-pair at positions 1410/1490, and nucleotides A1408, A1493 and U1495. The asymmetry of the internal loop, which requires the presence of a nucleotide in position 1492, is also crucial for antibiotic binding. Introduction into the oligonucleotide of base changes that are known to confer aminoglycoside resistance in 16 S rRNA result in weaker binding of paromomycin to the oligonucleotide. Oligonucleotides homologous to eukaryotic rRNA sequences show reduced binding of paromomycin, suggesting a physical origin for the species-specific action of aminoglycosides.

Aminoglycosides↗

In vivo analysis of plant RNA structure: soybean 18S ribosomal and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit RNAs.

A method to investigate the structure of RNA molecules within intact plant tissues has been developed. The RNA structures are analyzed using dimethyl sulfate (DMS), which modifies substituents of adenine and cytosine residues within single-stranded regions of RNA molecules. Reactive sites are identified by primer extension analysis. Using this procedure, an analysis of the secondary structure of the cytoplasmic 18S ribosomal RNA in soybean seedling leaves has been completed. DMS modification data are in good agreement with the phylogenetic structure predicted for soybean 18S rRNA. However, there are a few notable exceptions where residues thought to be involved in double-stranded regions in all 18S rRNAs are strongly modified in soybean leaf samples. These data taken together with the phylogenetic structure suggest that alternate structures may exist in vivo. The further applicability of this technique is demonstrated by comparing the modification pattern obtained in vivo to that obtained in vitro for a particular mRNA molecule encoding the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase. The results obtained are compared to a predicted minimum energy secondary structure. The data indicate that the conformation of RNA molecules within the cell may not be reflected in a structural analysis of purified mRNA molecules.

Base Composition↗

Methylation sites in Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA: localization and identification of four new sites of methylation in 23S rRNA.

Four previously undetermined sites of methylation are mapped in Escherichia coli 23S rRNA employing a novel combination of methods. First, using a double-isotope approach, the total number of methyl groups in 23S rRNA was determined to be 14.9 +/- 1.6. Second, hybridization of methyl-labeled rRNA to complementary DNA restriction fragments and PAGE analysis were used to purify RNA-DNA heteroduplexes and to quantify methyl groups within specific 23S rRNA fragments. Third, the methylated nucleosides in these fragments were identified and quantified using HPLC, confirming the presence of 14 methylation sites in 23S rRNA, four more than had been previously identified. In contrast, a similar set of analyses conducted on 16S rRNA gave evidence for 10 sites of methylation, at all approximate locations consistent with published 16S methylated nucleoside identities and locations. Selected regions of the 23S rRNA molecule containing previously unidentified methylated nucleosides were released by site-directed cleavage with ribonuclease H and isolated by PAGE. Sites of methylation within the RNA fragments were determined by classical oligonucleotide analyses. The four newly identified methylation sites in 23S rRNA are m2G-1835, m5C-1962, m6A-2503, and m2G at one of positions 2445-2447. Together with previously described sites of modification, these new sites form a group that is clustered in a current model for the three-dimensional organization of the 23S rRNA in the 50S ribosomal subunit, at a locus congruent with nucleotides previously implicated in ribosomal function.

Base Sequence↗

The identification of spermine binding sites in 16S rRNA allows interpretation of the spermine effect on ribosomal 30S subunit functions.

A photoreactive analogue of spermine, N1-azidobenzamidino (ABA)-spermine, was covalently attached after irradiation to Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunits or naked 16S rRNA. By means of RNase H digestion and primer extension, the cross-linking sites of ABA-spermine in naked 16S rRNA were characterised and compared with those identified in 30S subunits. The 5' domain, the internal and terminal loops of helix H24, as well as the upper part of helix H44 in naked 16S rRNA, were found to be preferable binding sites for polyamines. Association of 16S rRNA with ribosomal proteins facilitated its interaction with photoprobe, except for 530 stem-loop nt, whose modification by ABA-spermine was abolished. Association of 30S with 50S subunits, poly(U) and AcPhe-tRNA (complex C) further altered the susceptibility of ABA-spermine cross-linking to 16S rRNA. Complex C, modified in its 30S subunit by ABA-spermine, reacted with puromycin similarly to non-photolabelled complex. On the contrary, poly(U)-programmed 70S ribosomes reconstituted from photolabelled 30S subunits and untreated 50S subunits bound AcPhe-tRNA more efficiently than untreated ribosomes, but were less able to recognise and reject near cognate aminoacyl-tRNA. The above can be interpreted in terms of conformational changes in 16S rRNA, induced by the incorporation of ABA-spermine.

Azides↗

Depurination of A4256 in 28 S rRNA by the ribosome-inactivating proteins from barley and ricin results in different ribosome conformations.

Ribosomal function in protein synthesis requires dynamic flexibility of the ribosomal structure. The two translational inhibitors derived from seeds of ricin and barley destroy the dynamic properties of the ribosome by selective depurination of A4256 in the phylogenetically conserved alpha-sarcin/ricin loop of mouse 28 S rRNA. As the alpha-sarcin/ricin loop is involved in binding of elongation factors to the ribosome, depurination blocks the protein synthesis elongation cycle. Depurination by the barley translational inhibitor (BTI) mainly effects eEF-1 alpha related functions, while ricin interferes with the interaction of eEF-2 with the ribosome. Analysis of the ribosomal structure after inhibitor shows that the accessibility of the rRNAs for single-strand-specific chemical modification was altered. Reactivity changes were seen in domains I, II and V of 28 S rRNA and in 5 S rRNA. A majority of the reactivity changes were found in putative functional regions of the rRNAs, such as the regions involved in peptidyltransferase activity, subunit interaction and in the binding of elongation factors. Most of the observed structural changes made the rRNAs less accessible for chemical modification, suggesting that the ribosomal particles became less flexible after inhibitor treatment. Moreover, the modification patterns obtained from the two inhibitor-treated ribosomal particles were only partly overlapping, indicating that the structure of the large ribosomal subunit differed after ricin and BTI treatment. Surprisingly, depurination in the alpha-sarcin/ricin loop of 28 S rRNA also affected the structure of the 3' major domain in 18 S rRNA.

Adenine↗

Modification of protein synthetic components by aflatoxin B1.

Molecular sites of perturbation by the hepatocarcinogen aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in the protein synthesis initiation complex were assessed using isolated hepatocytes and a cell-free activating system containing microsomes and cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein complexes (cRPC). Ribosomal proteins showed no detectable modification by the toxin in either system. With hepatocytes, initiation factors demonstrated only slight modification by AFB1. RNAs from both hepatocytes and the cell-free system with microsomes and cRPC were modified, with poly(A)-containing RNA exhibiting at least a 5-fold higher modification than poly(A)-lacking RNA. The poly(A)-lacking RNAs were modified in the order 28S rRNA greater than 18S rRNA greater than 5-6S rRNA greater than 4S tRNA. Guanine was the target base of AFB1, but only 10% of the AFB1-GMP adducts were on guanines located in a poly(G) region. These results suggest that guanine modification in RNAs may be responsible for the observed inhibition of translational initiation by AFB1 to a greater extent than modification of either ribosomal intrinsic or associated proteins.

Aflatoxin B1↗

[The structural changes in the ribosome during the elongation cycle].

The plenty of data about structural changes in the ribosome during its functioning has been accumulated. The most interesting information on such changes was obtained by cryo-EM of various ribosomal complexes with the ligands and by combination of rRNA site-directed mutagenesis with the analysis of structural changes in ribosome by chemical modification technique (chemical probing). The most studied structural transformations of the ribosome interacting with tRNAs and elongation factors are considered in this review. The structural rearrangements are discussed in the context of interactions between the functional centers of the ribosome. We also describe the system of tertiary contacts between the rRNA helices and proteins which forms the universal structure in the ribosome. We pay attention that by means of such system the allosteric conformational signal can be transmitted between the functional centers. Besides the discussion of different biochemical data in the scope of structural data we also consider the hypothesis that the position of GTPase associated center (GAC) in the ribosome regulates the binding of elongation factors.

Cryoelectron Microscopy↗

Identification of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA:pseudouridine synthase responsible for formation of psi(2819) in 21S mitochondrial ribosomal RNA.

So far, four RNA:pseudouridine (Psi)-synthases have been identified in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Together, they act on cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNAs, U2 snRNA and rRNAs from cytoplasmic ribosomes. However, RNA:Psi-synthases responsible for several U-->Psi conversions in tRNAs and UsnRNAs remained to be identified. Based on conserved amino-acid motifs in already characterised RNA:Psi-synthases, four additional open reading frames (ORFs) encoding putative RNA:Psi-synthases were identified in S.cerevisiae. Upon disruption of one of them, the YLR165c ORF, we found that the unique Psi residue normally present in the fully matured mitochondrial rRNAs (Psi(2819)in 21S rRNA) was missing, while Psi residues at all the tested pseudo-uridylation sites in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNAs and in nuclear UsnRNAs were retained. The selective U-->Psi conversion at position 2819 in mitochondrial 21S rRNA was restored when the deleted yeast strain was transformed by a plasmid expressing the wild-type YLR165c ORF. Complementation was lost after point mutation (D71-->A) in the postulated active site of the YLR165c-encoded protein, indicating the direct role of the YLR165c protein in Psi(2819)synthesis in mitochondrial 21S rRNA. Hence, for nomenclature homogeneity the YLR165c ORF was renamed PUS5 and the corresponding RNA:Psi-synthase Pus5p. As already noticed for other mitochondrial RNA modification enzymes, no canonical mitochondrial targeting signal was identified in Pus5p. Our results also show that Psi(2819)in mitochondrial 21S rRNA is not essential for cell viability.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mutation in TRMU related to transfer RNA modification modulates the phenotypic expression of the deafness-associated mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA mutations.

The human mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) A1555G mutation has been associated with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic deafness in many families worldwide. Our previous investigation revealed that the A1555G mutation is a primary factor underlying the development of deafness but is not sufficient to produce a deafness phenotype. However, it has been proposed that nuclear-modifier genes modulate the phenotypic manifestation of the A1555G mutation. Here, we identified the nuclear-modifier gene TRMU, which encodes a highly conserved mitochondrial protein related to transfer RNA (tRNA) modification. Genotyping analysis of TRMU in 613 subjects from 1 Arab-Israeli kindred, 210 European (Italian pedigrees and Spanish pedigrees) families, and 31 Chinese pedigrees carrying the A1555G or the C1494T mutation revealed a missense mutation (G28T) altering an invariant amino acid residue (A10S) in the evolutionarily conserved N-terminal region of the TRMU protein. Interestingly, all 18 Arab-Israeli/Italian-Spanish matrilineal relatives carrying both the TRMU A10S and 12S rRNA A1555G mutations exhibited prelingual profound deafness. Functional analysis showed that this mutation did not affect importation of TRMU precursors into mitochondria. However, the homozygous A10S mutation leads to a marked failure in mitochondrial tRNA metabolisms, specifically reducing the steady-state levels of mitochondrial tRNA. As a consequence, these defects contribute to the impairment of mitochondrial-protein synthesis. Resultant biochemical defects aggravate the mitochondrial dysfunction associated with the A1555G mutation, exceeding the threshold for expressing the deafness phenotype. These findings indicate that the mutated TRMU, acting as a modifier factor, modulates the phenotypic manifestation of the deafness-associated 12S rRNA mutations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Three helical domains form a protein binding site in the 5S RNA-protein complex from eukaryotic ribosomes.

A ribosomal protein binding site in the eukaryotic 5S rRNA has been delineated by examining the effect of sequence variation and nucleotide modification on the RNA's ability to exchange into the EDTA-released, yeast ribosomal 5S RNA-protein complex. 5S RNAs of divergent sequence from a variety of eukaryotic origins could be readily exchanged into the yeast complex but RNA from bacterial origins was rejected. Nucleotide modifications in any of three analogous helical regions in eukaryotic 5S RNAs of differing origin reduced the ability of this RNA molecule to form homologous or heterologous RNA-protein complexes. Because sequence comparisons did not indicate common nucleotide sequences in the interacting helical regions, a model is suggested in which the eukaryotic 5S RNA binding protein does not simply recognize specific nucleotide sequences but interacts with three strategically oriented helical domains or functional groups within these domains. Two of the domains bear a limited sequence homology with each other and contain an unpaired nucleotide or "bulge" similar to that recently reported for one of the 5S RNA binding proteins in Escherichia coli (Peattie, D.A., Douthwaite, S., Garrett, R.A. and Noller, H.F. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 78, 7331-7335). The results further indicate that the single ribosomal protein of eukaryotic 5S RNA-protein complexes interacts with the same region of the 5S rRNA molecule as do the multiple protein components in complexes of prokaryotic origin.

Animals↗

Genetic characterization of Pompeii and Herculaneum Equidae buried by Vesuvius in 79 AD.

DNA extracted from the skeletons of five equids discovered in a Pompeii stable and of a horse found in Herculaneum was investigated. Amino acid racemization level was consistent with the presence of DNA. Post-mortem base modifications were excluded by sequencing a 146 bp fragment of the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene. Sequencing of a 370 bp fragment of mitochondrial (mt)DNA control region allowed the construction of a phylogenetic tree that, along with sequencing of nuclear genes (epsilon globin, gamma interferon, and p53) fragments, gave us the possibility to address some questions puzzling archaeologists. What animals-donkeys, horses, or crossbreeds-were they? And, given they had been evidently assigned to one specific job, were they all akin or were they animals with different mitochondrial haplotypes? The conclusions provided by molecular analysis show that the Pompeii remains are those of horses and mules. Furthermore one of the equids (CAV5) seems to belong to a haplotype, which is either not yet documented in the GenBank or has since disappeared. As its characteristics closely recall those of donkeys, which is the out group chosen to construct the tree, that appears to have evolved within the Equidae family much earlier than horses, this assumption seems to be nearer the truth.

Animals↗

Solution structure of the conserved 16 S-like ribosomal RNA UGAA tetraloop.

The solution structure of the highly conserved UGAA tetraloop found at the 3' end of eukaryotic 16 S-like ribosomal RNA has been solved by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the form of the 12 nucleotide hairpin 5'-GGUG[UGAA]CACC. The UGAA tetraloop displays a novel fold. The backbone turn occurs between the G and the third A in the loop, with the U and G in a 5' stack and the As in a 3' stacking arrangement. The loop is closed by a U-A mismatch in which the O2, 2'OH, and O4' groups of the U are within hydrogen bonding distance of the amino group of the A. The tetraloop does not make a uridine-turn, even though its sequence is identical to a U-turn found within the anticodon loop of tRNA(Phe). The hydrogen bonding pattern in the tetraloop provides insight into the function of base modifications found in vivo within this portion of 16 S-like rRNA.

Hydrogen Bonding↗

Induction of new proteins in the nuclear matrix of CHO cells by a heat shock: detection of a specific set in the nucleolar matrix.

An early response to an incubation of CHO cells for one hour at 43 degrees C is the appearance in the nuclear matrix of new proteins: 2 proteins (48 and 46 kDa) were associated with the extranucleolar part of the nuclear matrix, 6 other proteins (130, 100, 95, 85, 76 and 70 kDa) were present in matrices prepared from isolated nucleoli. In addition, a large increase in the amount of associated minor components is observed. It is suggested that these early modifications in composition of the matrix are related to the inhibition of rRNA and hnRNA synthesis and maturation.

Animals↗

Interaction of the antibiotics clindamycin and lincomycin with Escherichia coli 23S ribosomal RNA.

Interaction of the antibiotics clindamycin and lincomycin with Escherichia coli ribosomes has been compared by chemical footprinting. The protection afforded by both drugs is limited to the peptidyl transferase loop of 23S rRNA. Under conditions of stoichiometric binding at 1 mM drug concentration in vitro, both drugs strongly protect 23S rRNA bases A2058 and A2451 from dimethyl sulphate and G2505 from kethoxal modification; G2061 is also weakly protected from kethoxal. The modification patterns differ in that A2059 is additionally protected by clindamycin but not by lincomycin. The affinity of the two drugs for the ribosome, estimated by footprinting, is approximately the same, giving Kdiss values of 5 microM for lincomycin and 8 microM for clindamycin. The results show that in vitro the drugs are equally potent in blocking their ribosomal target site. Their inhibitory effects on peptide bond formation could, however, be subtly different.

Base Sequence↗