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Human mitochondrial transcription factor B1 methylates ribosomal RNA at a conserved stem-loop.

Human mitochondrial transcription factor B1 (h-mtTFB1) has an unprecedented relationship to RNA methyltransferases. Here, we show that this protein methylates a conserved stem-loop in bacterial 16S rRNA and that the homologous sequence in the human mitochondrial 12S molecule is similarly modified. Thus, h-mtTFB1 appears to be dual-function protein, acting both as a transcription factor and an rRNA-modification enzyme.

Aminoglycosides↗

Position within the host intron is critical for efficient processing of box C/D snoRNAs in mammalian cells.

In mammalian cells, all small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) that guide rRNA modification are encoded within the introns of host genes. A database analysis of human box C/D snoRNAs revealed conservation of their intronic location, with a preference for 70-80 nt upstream of the 3' splice site. Transfection experiments showed that synthesis of gas5-encoded U75 and U76 snoRNAs dropped significantly for mutant constructs possessing longer or shorter spacers between the snoRNA and the 3' splice site. However, the position of the snoRNA did not affect splicing of the host intron. Substitution mutations within the spacer indicated that the length, but not the specific sequence, is important. A in vitro system that couples pre-mRNA splicing and processing of U75 has been developed. U75 synthesis in vitro depends on its box C and D sequences and requires an appropriate spacer length. Further mutational analyses both in vivo and in vitro, with subsequent mapping of the branch points, revealed that the critical distance is from the snoRNA coding region to the branch point, suggesting synergy between splicing and snoRNA release.

Animals↗

Characterisation of the 11 Kb DNA region adjacent to the gene encoding Desulfovibrio gigas flavoredoxin.

Flavoredoxin is an FMN binding protein that functions as an electron carrier in the sulphate metabolism of Desulfovibrio gigas. The neighbouring DNA regions of the gene encoding flavoredoxin were sequenced and characterised. Transcript analysis of the flavoredoxin gene resulted in a positive band corresponding to the size of the coding region, suggesting that flavoredoxin is encoded by a monocystronic unit, as previously suggested by sequence analysis. Analysis of the adjacent DNA regions revealed several interesting genes. The sequenced DNA regions contain nine open reading frames (ORFs) organised in two polycystronic and two monocystronic units. These genes encode proteins involved in different metabolic pathways, namely in DNA methylation, tRNA and rRNA modification, mRNA metabolism, cell division, CoA synthesis and lipoprotein transport across the membrane.

Blotting, Northern↗

Pneumococcal resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, ketolides, and streptogramin B agents: molecular mechanisms and resistance phenotypes.

The macrolides, lincosamides, ketolides, and streptogramin B agents (the MLKS(B) antimicrobial agents) have related chemical structures and share similar molecular targets on the 50S ribosomal subunit of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Mutations in rRNA or ribosomal proteins generate a variety of resistance phenotypes. The M phenotype of S. pneumoniae, which predominates in North America, affords low-level resistance to macrolides only (excluding macrolides with 16-member rings) by means of an efflux pump encoded by the mefA gene. The MLS(B) phenotype, which predominates in Europe, affords high-level resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramin B agents and arises, in most cases, from dimethylation of adenine 2058 in the 23S rRNA of the 50S ribosomal subunit. Other, less common, phenotypes arise from other 23S rRNA modifications (ML and K phenotypes) or from amino acid substitution (MS(B) phenotype) or insertion (MKS(B) phenotype) into the 50S subunit ribosomal protein L4. In all cases, the decrease in susceptibility to ketolides (for example, telithromycin) is less than the decrease in susceptibility for other MLKS(B) agents.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

A common sequence motif determines the Cajal body-specific localization of box H/ACA scaRNAs.

Post-transcriptional synthesis of 2'-O-methylated nucleotides and pseudouridines in Sm spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs takes place in the nucleoplasmic Cajal bodies and it is directed by guide RNAs (scaRNAs) that are structurally and functionally indistinguishable from small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) directing rRNA modification in the nucleolus. The scaRNAs are synthesized in the nucleoplasm and specifically targeted to Cajal bodies. Here, mutational analysis of the human U85 box C/D-H/ACA scaRNA, followed by in situ localization, demonstrates that box H/ACA scaRNAs share a common Cajal body-specific localization signal, the CAB box. Two copies of the evolutionarily conserved CAB consensus (UGAG) are located in the terminal loops of the 5' and 3' hairpins of the box H/ACA domains of mammalian, Drosophila and plant scaRNAs. Upon alteration of the CAB boxes, mutant scaRNAs accumulate in the nucleolus. In turn, authentic snoRNAs can be targeted into Cajal bodies by addition of exogenous CAB box motifs. Our results indicate that scaRNAs represent an ancient group of small nuclear RNAs which are localized to Cajal bodies by an evolutionarily conserved mechanism.

Base Sequence↗

Overlap between pdxA and ksgA in the complex pdxA-ksgA-apaG-apaH operon of Escherichia coli K-12.

We report that pdxA, which is required for de novo biosynthesis of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and pyridoxal phosphate, belongs to an unusual, multifunctional operon. The pdxA gene was cloned in the same 3.5-kilobase BamHI-EcoRI restriction fragment that contains ksgA, which encodes the 16S rRNA modification enzyme m6(2)A methyltransferase, and apaH, which encodes diadenosine tetraphosphatase (ApppA hydrolase). Previously, Blanchin-Roland et al. showed that ksgA and apaH form a complex operon (Mol. Gen. Genet. 205:515-522, 1986). The pdxA gene was located on recombinant plasmids by subcloning, complementation, and insertion mutagenesis, and chromosomal insertions at five positions upstream from ksgA inactivated pdxA function. DNA sequence analysis and minicell translation experiments demonstrated that pdxA encoded a 35.1-kilodalton polypeptide and that the stop codon of pdxA overlapped the start codon of ksgA by 2 nucleotides. The translational start codon of pdxA was tentatively assigned based on polypeptide size and on the presence of a unique sequence that was also found near the translational start of PdxB. This conserved sequence may play a role in translational control of certain pyridoxine biosynthetic genes. RNase T2 mapping of chromosomal transcripts confirmed that pdxA and ksgA were members of the same complex operon, yet about half of ksgA transcripts arose in vivo under some culture conditions from an internal promoter mapped near the end of pdxA. Transcript analysis further suggested that pdxA is not the first gene in the operon. These structural features support the idea that pyridoxine-biosynthetic genes are members of complex operons, perhaps to interweave coenzyme biosynthesis genetically with other metabolic processes. The results are also considered in terms of ksgA expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Positive growth rate-dependent regulation of the pdxA, ksgA, and pdxB genes of Escherichia coli K-12.

We found that transcription of the pdxA and pdxB genes, which mediate steps in the biosynthesis of the essential coenzyme pyridoxal 5"-phosphate, and the ksgA gene, which encodes an rRNA modification enzyme and is partly cotranscribed with pdxA, is subject to positive growth rate regulation in Escherichia coli K-12. The amounts of the pdxA-ksgA cotranscript and pdxB- and ksgA-specific transcripts and expression from pdxA- and pdxB-lacZ fusions increased as the growth rate increased. The half-lives of ksgA- and pdxB-specific transcripts were not affected by the growth rate, whereas the half-life of the pdxA-ksgA cotranscript was too short to be measured accurately. A method of normalization was applied to determine the amount of mRNA synthesized per gene and the rate of protein accumulation per gene. Normalization removed an apparent anomaly at fast growth rates and demonstrated that positive regulation of pdxB occurs at the level of transcription initiation over the whole range of growth rates tested. RNA polymerase limitation and autoregulation could not account for the positive growth rate regulation of pdxA, pdxB, and ksgA transcription. On the other hand, growth rate regulation of the amount of the pdxA-ksgA cotranscript was abolished by a fis mutation, suggesting a role for the Fis protein. In contrast, the fis mutation had no effect on pdxB- or ksgA-specific transcript amounts. The amounts of the pdxA-ksgA cotranscript and ksgA-specific transcript were repressed in the presence of high intracellular concentrations of guanosine tetraphosphate; however, this effect was independent of relA function for the pdxA-ksgA cotranscript. Amounts of the pdxB-specific transcript remained unchanged during amino acid starvation in wild-type and relA mutant strains.

Bacterial Proteins↗

MCT-1 protein interacts with the cap complex and modulates messenger RNA translational profiles.

MCT-1 is an oncogene that was initially identified in a human T cell lymphoma and has been shown to induce cell proliferation as well as activate survival-related pathways. MCT-1 contains the PUA domain, a recently described RNA-binding domain that is found in several tRNA and rRNA modification enzymes. Here, we established that MCT-1 protein interacts with the cap complex through its PUA domain and recruits the density-regulated protein (DENR/DRP), containing the SUI1 translation initiation domain. Through the use of microarray analysis on polysome-associated mRNAs, we showed that up-regulation of MCT-1 was able to modulate the translation profiles of BCL2L2, TFDP1, MRE11A, cyclin D1, and E2F1 mRNAs, despite equivalent levels of mRNAs in the cytoplasm. Our data establish a role for MCT-1 in translational regulation, and support a linkage between translational control and oncogenesis.

Animals↗

The human TruB family of pseudouridine synthase genes, including the Dyskeratosis Congenita 1 gene and the novel member TRUB1.

A novel human gene denominated TruB pseudouridine (psi) synthase homolog 1 (E. coli) (approved symbol, TRUB1) has been identified and characterized. Spanning approximately 40 kb on chromosome 10 and including 8 exons, TRUB1 is the first described human ortholog of bacterial TruB/psi55, a gene involved in tRNA pseudouridinilation. TRUB1 gene encodes a 349-amino acid product, with a VFAVHKPKGPTSA box in positions 71-83 corresponding to motif I of the TruB family (probably involved in conserving protein structure). The TruB domain of TRUB1 lies between W104 and I255, and contains another short motif, GGTLDS AARGVLVV, including the highly conserved D residue that characterizes motif II (involved in uridine recognition and in catalytic function of psi synthases). Northern blot analysis revealed that TRUB1 mRNA is widely expressed in various human tissues (especially heart, skeletal muscle and liver). Phylogenetic analysis of the TruB domain revealed another human gene (approved symbol TRUB2) encoding a conserved TruB domain, located on human chromosome 9. Thus, the human TruB family includes at least three members: i.e. DKC1 (previously identified), TRUB1 and TRUB2. The TRUB1 and TRUB2 products could be the hitherto unidentified human tRNA psi synthases. Although TRUB1 is not highly similar to DKC1/dyskerin (whose mutations cause X-linked dyskeratosis congenita) and putatively affects tRNA rather than rRNA modification, it is the most similar human protein to dyskerin. Study of TRUB1 (and TRUB2) should facilitate understanding of the molecular mechanisms of RNA modification and the involvement of psi synthases in human pathology, including dyskeratosis-like diseases.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

[Highly conserved region 1816-1831 of the 18S ribosomal RNA is close to the first nucleotide of the A-site codon in elongation and termination of translation].

Two mRNA analogs, pUUCUAAA (with stop codon UAA) and pUUCUCAA (with Ser codon UCA) containing a perfluoroarylazido group at U4, were used to study the position relative to the 18S rRNA for the first nucleotide of the codon located in the A site of the human 80S ribosome. To place UAA or UCA in the A site, UCC-recognizing tRNAPhe was bound in the P site. With each analog, crosslinking was detected for highly conserved fragment 1816-1831, which contains invariant dinucleotide A1823/A1824 and is in helix 44 at the 3' end of the 18S rRNA. Since 18S rRNA modification did not depend on whether the U4 photoreactive group was in the sense or stop codon, it was assumed that polypeptide chain release factor 1 directly recognizes the trinucleotide of a stop codon located in the A site.

Base Sequence↗

Ribosomal RNA methylation in Mycobacterium smegmatis SN2.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from a fast growing nonpathogenic strain of mycobacteria, Mycobacterium smegmatis SN2, was analyzed for the presence of minor nucleotides. Of the sixteen modified nucleotides detected, the identity of twelve has been established and their molar ratios were determined. These nucleotides include m1A, m2A, m6A, m6(2)A, m7G, m5C, rT, CmpC, CmpG, GmpG, UmpG and UmpU. The distinct features of the mycobacterial rRNA modifications include: (i) relatively substantial level of methylation, a feature distinct from that of the tRNA species which are unique in being under methylated in these bacteria, (ii) N1 methyl adenine representing the bulk of the modified bases, (iii) the lack of ribose methylation on any two successive nucleotides, and (iv) the presence of N6,N6-dimethyl adenosines, which are the target sites of the antibiotic kasugamycin, although the bacterial growth is insensitive to the drug.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗

Chemical modification of adenine residues in mouse 5S rRNA with monoperphthalate: the secondary structure of 5S rRNA.

The chemical modification of adenine residues in mouse 5S rRNA with monoperphthalate was carried out to investigate the higher ordered structure of 5S rRNA. The adenine residues at positions 11, 22 (or/and 23), 49 (or/and 50), 54 (or/and 55), 77, 83, 88, 90 and 100 (or/and 101) were modified. This result further confirmed the secondary structure of 5S rRNA constituted of 5 helices and 5 loops postulated by other chemical modifications.

Animals↗

Synthetic lethality with fibrillarin identifies NOP77p, a nucleolar protein required for pre-rRNA processing and modification.

The nucleolar protein fibrillarin (encoded by the NOP1 gene in yeast), is required for many post-transcriptional steps in yeast ribosome synthesis. A screen for mutations showing synthetic lethality with a temperature sensitive nop1-5 allele led to the identification of the NOP77 gene. NOP77 is essential for viability and encodes a nucleolar protein with a predicted molecular weight of 77 kDa. Depletion of NOP77p impairs both the processing and methylation of the pre-rRNA. The processing defect is greatest for the pathway leading to 25S rRNA synthesis, and is distinctly different from that observed for mutations in other nucleolar components. NOP77p contains three canonical RNA recognition motifs (RRMs), suggesting that it is an RNA binding protein. The NOP77 allele which complements the synthetic lethal nop1 strains has an alanine at position 308, predicted to lie in helix alpha 1 of RRM3, whereas the non-complementing nop77-1 allele contains a proline at the corresponding position. We propose that NOP77p mediates specific interactions between NOP1p and the pre-rRNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

New site of modification of 23S rRNA associated with clarithromycin resistance of Helicobacter pylori clinical isolates.

Resistance of Helicobacter pylori to clarithromycin occurs with a prevalence ranging from 0 to 15%. This has an important clinical impact on dual and triple therapies, in which clarithromycin seems to be the better choice to achieve H. pylori eradication. In order to evaluate the possibility of new mechanisms of clarithromycin resistance, a PCR assay that amplified a portion of 23S rRNA from H. pylori isolates was used. Gastric tissue biopsy specimens from 230 consecutive patients were cultured for H. pylori isolation. Eighty-six gastric biopsy specimens yielded H. pylori-positive results, and among these 12 isolates were clarithromycin resistant. The latter were studied to detect mutations in the 23S rRNA gene. Sequence analysis of the 1,143-bp PCR product (portion of the 23S rRNA gene) did not reveal mutation such as that described at position 2142 to 2143. On the contrary, our findings show, for seven isolates, a T-to-C transition at position 2717. This mutation conferred a low level of resistance, equivalent to the MIC for the isolates, selected using the E-test as well as using the agar dilution method: 1 micro g/ml. Moreover, T2717C transition is located in a highly conserved region of the 23S RNA associated with functional sites: domain VI. This fact has a strong effect on the secondary structure of the 23S RNA and on its interaction with macrolide. Mutation at position 2717 also generated an HhaI restriction site; therefore, restriction analysis of the PCR product also permits a rapid detection of resistant isolates.

Base Sequence↗

[The 5S rRNA-protein complex of Escherichia coli studied by carbodiimide modification].

5S rRNA-protein complex has been reconstituted from 5S rRNA and total protein of large (L) ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli. The complex consists of 5S rRNA and 3 proteins only: L5, L18, L25. A water-soluble carbodiimide [N-cyclohexyl-N'-(2-morpholinoethyl)-carbodiimide-methyl-p-toluolsulp honate] cross-links L18 to 5S rRNA at pH 7.2 and L25 to 5S rRNA at pH 7.7. This pH-dependence of cross-linked proteins is a consequence of the difference in stability of the initial complex: the complex has all three proteins at pH 7.7 but L18 mainly at pH 7.2. It has been shown that L18 stimulates the chemical modification of U87 and U89 residues of 5S rRNA by carbodiimide. A model of L18-5S rRNA complex has been proposed.

Bacterial Proteins↗

The influence of oligonucleotide-effector on the selectivity of sequence specific modification of 16 S rRNA.

The influence of duplex stabilizing oligonucleotide-effector (oligonucleotide, carrying N-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenazinium residues on both ends), on selectivity of site-directed modification of E. coli 16 S rRNA (1542 nucleotides in length) under the conditions of its secondary structure stability was studied. The constant of cooperative binding of the reagent and the oligonucleotide-effector with 16 S rRNA was determined. The accuracy of modification was shown to double in the presence of 50 microM effector at 5 microM concentration of the reagent.

Alkylating Agents↗

Telomerase RNA level limits telomere maintenance in X-linked dyskeratosis congenita.

Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) patients suffer a progressive and ultimately fatal loss of hematopoietic renewal correlating with critically short telomeres. The predominant X-linked form of DC results from substitutions in dyskerin, a protein required both for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) pseudouridine modification and for cellular accumulation of telomerase RNA (TER). Accordingly, alternative models have posited that the exhaustion of cellular renewal in X-linked DC arises as a primary consequence of ribosome deficiency or telomerase deficiency. Here we test, for the first time, whether X-linked DC patient cells are compromised for telomerase function at telomeres. We show that telomerase activation in family-matched control cells allows telomere elongation and telomere length maintenance, while telomerase activation in X-linked DC patient cells fails to prevent telomere erosion with proliferation. Furthermore, we demonstrate by phenotypic rescue that telomere defects in X-linked DC patient cells arise solely from reduced accumulation of TER. We also show that X-linked DC patient cells averted from premature senescence support normal levels of rRNA pseudouridine modification and normal kinetics of rRNA precursor processing, in contrast with phenotypes reported for a proposed mouse model of the human disease. These findings support the significance of telomerase deficiency in the pathology of X-linked DC.

Animals↗

Binding site of the bridged macrolides in the Escherichia coli ribosome.

Ketolides represent the latest group of macrolide antibiotics. Tight binding of ketolides to the ribosome appears to correlate with the presence of an extended alkyl-aryl side chain. Recently developed 6,11-bridged bicyclic ketolides extend the spectrum of platforms used to generate new potent macrolides with extended alkyl-aryl side chains. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the site of binding and the action of bridged macrolides in the ribosomes of Escherichia coli. All the bridged macrolides investigated efficiently protected A2058 and A2059 in domain V of 23S rRNA from modification by dimethyl sulfate and U2609 from modification by carbodiimide. In addition, bridged macrolides that carry extended alkyl-aryl side chains protruding from the 6,11 bridge protected A752 in helix 35 of domain II of 23S rRNA from modification by dimethyl sulfate. Bridged macrolides efficiently displaced erythromycin from the ribosome in a competition binding assay. The A2058G mutation in 23S rRNA conferred resistance to the bridged macrolides. The U2609C mutation, which renders E. coli resistant to the previously studied ketolides telithromycin and cethromycin, barely affected cell susceptibility to the bridged macrolides used in this study. The results of the biochemical and genetic studies indicate that in the E. coli ribosome, bridged macrolides bind in the nascent peptide exit tunnel at the site previously described for other macrolide antibiotics. The presence of the side chain promotes the formation of specific interactions with the helix 35 of 23S rRNA.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗