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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Specific RNA cleavages induced by manganese ions.

The specificity and efficiency of manganese ion-induced RNA hydrolysis was studied with several tRNA molecules. In case of yeast tRNA(Phe), the main cleavage occurs at p16 and minor cuts at p17-18, p20-21, p34 and p36-37. The major Mn(II)-induced cut in yeast elongator tRNA(Met) is also located in the D-loop at p16 and it is stronger than that observed in tRNA(Phe). In initiator tRNA(Met) from yeast two strong Mn(II) cleavages of equal intensity occur at p16 and p17. This is in contrast with single, much weaker cuts induced in the D-loop of that tRNA by Mg(II), Eu(III) and Pb(II) ions. Interestingly, in case of yeast tRNA(Glu) the main cleavage caused by Mn(II), Mg(II) and Pb(II) ions occurs in the anticodon loop. The involvement of hypermodified base mnm5s2U in this cleavage was ruled out based on results obtained with in vitro transcript of yeast tRNA(Glu) anticodon arm. Mutation of a single base A37G in the anticodon loop of the transcript drastically reduced the specificity of Mn(II)-induced hydrolysis.

Anticodon↗

Effect of uridine dethiolation in the anticodon triplet of tRNA(Glu) on its association with tRNA(Phe).

The effect of U(34) dethiolation on the anticodon-anticodon association between E. coli tRNA(Glu) and yeast tRNA(Phe) has been studied by the temperature jump relaxation technique. An important destabilization upon replacement of the thioketo group of s2U(34) by a keto group, was revealed by a lowering of melting temperature of about 20 degrees C. The measured kinetic parameters indicated that this destabilization effect was originated in an increase of dissociation and a decrease of association rate constants by a factor of 4 to 5. Modifications in both stacking interactions and flexibility in the anticodon loop would be responsible for this effect.

Anticodon↗

Competition of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases for tRNA ensures the accuracy of aminoacylation.

The accuracy of protein biosynthesis rests on the high fidelity with which aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases discriminate between tRNAs. Correct aminoacylation depends not only on identity elements (nucleotides in certain positions) in tRNA (1), but also on competition between different synthetases for a given tRNA (2). Here we describe in vivo and in vitro experiments which demonstrate how variations in the levels of synthetases and tRNA affect the accuracy of aminoacylation. We show in vivo that concurrent overexpression of Escherichia coli tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase abolishes misacylation of supF tRNA(Tyr) with glutamine in vivo by overproduced glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase. In an in vitro competition assay, we have confirmed that the overproduction mischarging phenomenon observed in vivo is due to competition between the synthetases at the level of aminoacylation. Likewise, we have been able to examine the role competition plays in the identity of a non-suppressor tRNA of ambiguous identity, tRNA(Glu). Finally, with this assay, we show that the identity of a tRNA and the accuracy with which it is recognized depend on the relative affinities of the synthetases for the tRNA. The in vitro competition assay represents a general method of obtaining qualitative information on tRNA identity in a competitive environment (usually only found in vivo) during a defined step in protein biosynthesis, aminoacylation. In addition, we show that the discriminator base (position 73) and the first base of the anticodon are important for recognition by E. coli tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗

Variants in mitochondrial tRNAGlu, tRNAArg, and tRNAThr may influence the phenotypic manifestation of deafness-associated 12S rRNA A1555G mutation in three Han Chinese families with hearing loss.

We report here on the clinical, genetic, and molecular characterization of three Han Chinese pedigrees with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. Clinical evaluation revealed the variable phenotype of hearing loss including severity, age-at-onset, audiometric configuration in these subjects. Penetrances of hearing loss in BJ107, BJ108, and BJ109 pedigrees are 35%, 63%, and 67%, respectively. Mutational analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes in these pedigrees showed the identical homoplasmic A1555G mutation and distinct sets of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants belonging to haplogroups N, F, and M, respectively. Of these variants, the A14693G mutation in the tRNA(Glu), the T15908C mutation in the tRNA(Thr), and the T10454C mutation in the tRNA(Arg) are of special interest as these mutations occur at positions which are highly evolutionarily conserved nucleotides of corresponding tRNAs. These homoplasmic mtDNA mutations were absent among 156 unrelated Chinese controls. The A14693G and T10454C mutations occur at the highly conserved bases of the TpsiC-loop of tRNA(Glu) and tRNA(Arg), respectively. Furthermore, the T15908C mutation in the tRNA(Thr) disrupts a highly conserved A-U base-pairing at the D-stem of this tRNA. The alteration of structure of these tRNAs by these mtDNA mutations may lead to a failure in tRNA metabolism, thereby causing impairment of mitochondrial translation. Thus, mitochondrial dysfunctions, caused by the A1555G mutation, would be worsened by these mtDNA mutations. Therefore, these mtDNA mutations may have a potential modifier role in increasing the penetrance and expressivity of the deafness-associated 12S rRNA A1555G mutation in those Chinese pedigrees.

Base Pairing↗

Familial myopathy: new insights into the T14709C mitochondrial tRNA mutation.

We have defined the genetic defect in a large family first described in one of the earliest reports of suspected mitochondrial myopathy, as the mutation T14709C in the mitochondrial transfer RNA(Glu) (mt-tRNA(Glu)) gene. Extraordinarily, this mutation has attained homoplasmy (100% mutated mt-tRNA(Glu)) on at least three independent occasions in this family and has done so in one individual who remains asymptomatic with no clinical evidence of disease. Heteroplasmy (dual populations of mutated and wild-type mtDNA) usually is regarded as one of the primary diagnostic criteria for pathogenicity and previous reports of the T14709C mutation detail heteroplasmy in a variety of tissues. In contrast, homoplasmy of mt-tRNA mutations generally has been regarded as evidence of a benign nature, with rare exceptions that result in organ-specific phenotypes. Discovering that T14709C, a common and severe mt-tRNA mutation, can attain homoplasmy without symptoms or clinical signs of disease has profound implications for the identification and prevalence of other pathogenic mt-tRNA mutations. Furthermore, variation in phenotype between homoplasmic individuals implies a crucial contribution from the nuclear genetic environment in determining the clinical outcome of mt-tRNA mutations.

Adolescent↗

Novel amber suppressor tRNAs of mammalian origin.

Two amber suppressor tRNAs have been isolated from calf liver. They are different from previously identified naturally occurring amber suppressors of eukaryotes in so far as they are neither tRNATyr nor tRNAGln. They are leucine iso-acceptors and their nucleotide sequence indicates that they harbour a CAA and a CAG anticodon respectively. Both species are functional as amber suppressors as demonstrated by readthrough of the amber codon which terminates the 126 kd protein gene of tobacco mosaic virus RNA. The results bring new information in the discussion of codon-anticodon recognition and regulation of termination in eukaryotic protein synthesis.

Animals↗

A component of the multisynthetase complex is a multifunctional aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase.

In higher eukaryotes, nine aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are associated within a multienzyme complex which is composed of 11 polypeptides with molecular masses ranging from 18 to 150 kDa. We have cloned and sequenced a cDNA from Drosophila encoding the largest polypeptide of this complex. We demonstrate here that the corresponding protein is a multifunctional aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. It is composed of three major domains, two of them specifying distinct synthetase activities. The amino and carboxy-terminal domains were expressed separately in Escherichia coli, and were found to catalyse the aminoacylation of glutamic acid and proline tRNA species, respectively. The central domain is made of six 46 amino acid repeats. In prokaryotes, these two aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are encoded by distinct genes. The emergence of a multifunctional synthetase by a gene fusion event seems to be a specific, but general attribute of all higher eukaryotic cells. This type of structural organization, in relation to the occurrence of multisynthetase complexes, could be a mechanism to integrate several catalytic domains within the same particle. The involvement of the internal repeats in mediating complex assembly is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Subfamilies of serine tRNA genes in the bovine genome.

A bovine tRNA gene cluster has been characterized and the sequences of four tDNAs determined. Two of the tDNAs could encode tRNA(SerIGA), one tRNA(SerUGA), and the fourth tRNA(GlnCUG). The three serine tDNAs representing the UCN codon isoacceptor family are almost identical. However, the sequence of the tDNA(SerTGA) differs from a previously sequenced bovine tDNA(SerTGA) at 12 positions (ca. 14%). This finding suggests that in the bovine genome, two subfamilies of genes might encode tRNA(SerUGA). It also raises the possibility that new genes for a specific UCN isoacceptor might arise from the genes of a different isoacceptor, and could explain previously observed differences between species in the anticodons of coevolving pairs of tRNAs(SerUCN). The gene cluster also contains complete and partial copies, and fragments, of the BCS (bovine consensus sequence) SINE (short interspersed nuclear element) family, six examples of which were sequenced. Some of these elements occur in close proximity to two of the serine tDNAs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Variable numbers of simple tandem repeats make birds of the order ciconiiformes heteroplasmic in their mitochondrial genomes.

We have analyzed a variable domain of the mitochondrial DNA control region of 18 avian species. Intra-individual length variation was identified and characterized in 15 species. The occurrence of heteroplasmy among species is phylogenetically consistent with a current classification of birds. Polymerase chain reaction amplifications, direct sequencing, and Southern analysis of mitochondrial DNA showed that the heteroplasmy is due to variable numbers of direct repeats in a tandem organization, located in the control region close to the tRNAPhe gene. The tandem repeats consist of short sequence motifs that vary in size from 4 to 32 base pairs between species. Sequence complexity of the repeat motifs was low, with almost exclusively Ts and Gs in the heavy-strand. Extensive variation in the copy number of the repeats was seen both intra-specifically and within individuals. This is the first report of mitochondrial heteroplasmy characterized at the sequence level in birds.

Animals↗

Mosquito mitochondrial transfer RNAs for valine, glycine and glutamate: RNA and gene sequences and vicinal genome organization.

We report the sequences of 3 transfer RNAs from mosquito (Aedes albopictus) mitochondria, those for valine (anticodon UAC), glutamic acid (anticodon UUC) and glycine (anticodon UCC), as well as sequences for the corresponding genes and for some neighboring mitochondrial genes. TRNAval is notable for its high level of psi, tRNAglu for its low level of G and C, and tRNAgly is notable in that it appears as two species widely separated in gel electrophoresis, differing only in modification status. TRNAglu is the first sequenced insect mitochondrial tRNA that would be expected to engage in U.R wobble (where U is a modified U in the first position of the anticodon, and R is G or A in the third position of codons), if the insect system followed the modified wobble rules proposed for mammalian and fungal mitochondria; and the sequence determined does fit the proposal. The gene for tRNAval follows immediately that for 12S ribosomal RNA. The gene for tRNAglu occurs in a cluster of 6 tRNA genes that is separated from the gene for tRNAgly by a short reading frame. Features of the DNA sequences are discussed with reference to Drosophila, and mammalian, mitochondrial genome organization.

Aedes↗

Affinity electrophoretic detection of primary amino groups in nucleic acids: application to modified bases of tRNA and to aminoacylation.

Thiolation of primary amino groups in tRNA with the heterobifunctional reagent N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate gives rise to species which are retarded during electrophoresis in organomercury-containing polyacrylamide gels. Since such amino groups occur, as far as is known, only as part of the modified bases 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)uridine and N-2-(5-amino-5-carboxypentyl)cytidine or as the alpha-amino group of aminoacylated tRNAs, this extension of the principle of affinity electrophoresis can be used for the detection and analysis of a specific functional group in both single tRNA species and in a mixed population. The strength of the interaction may be quantified and provides information on the chemical environment/conformation of the derivatized bases.

Amines↗

Synthetase competition and tRNA context determine the in vivo identify of tRNA discriminator mutants.

The discriminator nucleotide (position 73) in tRNA has long been thought to play a role in tRNA identity as it is the only variable single-stranded nucleotide that is found near the site of aminoacylation. For this reason, a complete mutagenic analysis of the discriminator in three Escherichia coli amber suppressor tRNA backgrounds was undertaken; supE and supE-G1C72 glutamine tRNAs, gluA glutamate tRNA and supF tyrosine tRNA. The effect of mutation of the discriminator base on the identity of these tRNAs in vivo was assayed by N-terminal protein sequencing of E. coli dihydrofolate reductase, which is the product of suppression by the mutated amber suppressors, and confirmed by amino acid specific suppression experiments. In addition, suppressor efficiency assays were used to estimate the efficiency of aminoacylation in vivo. Our results indicate that the supE glutamine tRNA context can tolerate multiple mutations (including mutation of the discriminator and first base-pair) and still remain predominantly glutamine-accepting. Discriminator mutants of gluA glutamate tRNA exhibit increased and altered specificity probably due to the reduced ability of other synthetases to compete with glutamyl-tRNA synthetase. In the course of these experiments, a glutamate-specific mutant amber suppressor, gluA-A73, was created. Finally, in the case of supF tyrosine tRNA, the discriminator is an important identity element with partial to complete loss of tyrosine specificity resulting from mutation at this position. It is clear from these experiments that it may not be possible to assign a specific role in tRNA identity to the discriminator. The identity of a tRNA in vivo is determined by competition among aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, which is in turn modulated by the nucleotide substitution as well as the tRNA context.

Amino Acids↗

Aminoacylation of transfer RNAs with 2-thiouridine derivatives in the wobble position of the anticodon.

The first position or 'wobble base' in the anticodon of tRNAs is frequently the site of post-transcriptional modification. In Escherichia coli, glutamine, glutamate, and lysine tRNAs contain 2-thiouridine derivatives in this position, and the significance of these modifications has been under investigation since their discovery. Here we describe the investigations to link 2-thiouridine derivatives to aminoacylation of these tRNAs. The implications of these findings on the evolution of specificity of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and on translational regulation are also discussed.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗

Site-selected introduction of modified purine and pyrimidine ribonucleosides into RNA by automated phosphoramidite chemistry.

The study of modified nucleoside contributions to RNA chemistry, structure and function has been thwarted by the lack of a site-selected method of incorporation which is both versatile and adaptable to present synthetic technologies. A reproducible and versatile site-selected incorporation of nine differently modified nucleosides into hepta- and octadecamer RNAs has been achieved with automated phosphoramidite chemistry. The 5'-O-(4,4'-dimethoxytrityl-2'-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-ribonucleoside- 3'-O-(2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropyl)phosphoramidite syntheses of m5C, D, psi, riboT, s2U, mnm5U, m1G and m2A were designed for compatibility with the commercially available major and 2'OH methylated ribonucleoside phosphoramidites. The synthesis of the m5C phosphoramidite was uniquely designed, and the first syntheses and incorporation of the two modified purine ribonucleosides are reported in detail along with that of psi, s2U, and mnm5U. Cleavage of RNA product from the synthesis support column, deprotection of the RNA, its purification by HPLC and nucleoside composition analysis are described. Modified nucleoside-containing tRNA domains were synthesized and purified in mumol quantities required for biophysical, as well as biochemical, studies. The anticodon domain of yeast tRNA(Phe) was synthesized with modified nucleosides introduced at the native positions: Cm32, Gm34, m1G37 (precursor to Y), psi 39 and m5C40. The T loop and stem was synthesized with riboT54 and the D loop and stem with D16 and D17. The E coli tRNA(Glu2) anti-codon codon domain was synthesized with mnm5U at wobble position 34, but an attempt at incorporating s2U at the same position failed. The unprotected thio group was labile to the oxidation step of the cyclical process. Chemically synthesized anticodon and T domains have been used in assays of tRNA structure and function (Guenther et al (1994) Biochimie 76, 1143-1151).

Amides↗

Why are plastid genomes retained in non-photosynthetic organisms?

The evolution of the plastid from a photosynthetic bacterial endosymbiont involved a dramatic reduction in the complexity of the plastid genome, with many genes either discarded or transferred to the nucleus of the eukaryotic host. However, this evolutionary process has not gone to completion and a subset of genes remains in all plastids examined to date. The various hypotheses put forward to explain the retention of the plastid genome have tended to focus on the need for photosynthetic organisms to retain a genetic system in the chloroplast, and they fail to explain why heterotrophic plants and algae, and the apicomplexan parasites all retain a genome in their non-photosynthetic plastids. Here we consider two additional explanations: the 'essential tRNAs' hypothesis and the 'transfer-window' hypothesis.

Animals↗

Construction of Escherichia coli amber suppressor tRNA genes. II. Synthesis of additional tRNA genes and improvement of suppressor efficiency.

Using synthetic oligonucleotides, we have constructed 17 tRNA suppressor genes from Escherichia coli representing 13 species of tRNA. We have measured the levels of in vivo suppression resulting from introducing each tRNA gene into E. coli via a plasmid vector. The suppressors function at varying efficiencies. Some synthetic suppressors fail to yield detectable levels of suppression, whereas others insert amino acids with greater than 70% efficiency. Results reported in the accompanying paper demonstrate that some of these suppressors insert the original cognate amino acid, whereas others do not. We have altered some of the synthetic tRNA genes in order to improve the suppressor efficiency of the resulting tRNAs. Both tRNA(CUAHis) and tRNA(CUAGlu) were altered by single base changes, which generated -A-A- following the anticodon, resulting in a markedly improved efficiency of suppression. The tRNA(CUAPro) was inactive, but a hybrid suppressor tRNA consisting of the tRNA(CUAPhe) anticodon stem and loop together with the remainder of the tRNA(Pro) proved highly efficient at suppressing nonsense codons. Protein chemistry results reported in the accompanying paper show that the altered tRNA(CUAHis) and the hybrid tRNA(CUAPro) insert only histidine and proline, respectively, whereas the altered tRNA(CUAGlu) inserts principally glutamic acid but some glutamine. Also, a strain deficient in release factor I was employed to increase the efficiency of weak nonsense suppressors.

Anticodon↗

Transcription of two sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) mitochondrial tRNA genes having different genetic origins.

The divergent transcription of two tRNA genes encoded in sunflower mitochondrial DNA, proposed as genes of different genetic origin, has been studied in detail. The transcription initiation site (TIS) for both transcript precursors has been identified by hybridization with in vitro (32)P-capped total RNAs and primer extension. The location of two TISs and the analysis of distribution of sequence elements (motifs) usually present in higher plant mitochondrial promoters led to the identification of two short regions (about 30-40 bp) which can be proposed as the promoters for the transcription of two genes. This conclusion is supported by the observation that within the short intergenic region included between the 5' termini of two genes (1924 bp) the distribution of those specific motifs is unique around the TISs, although not identical for the two promoters. Based on specific experimental results the trnE promoter shows a higher efficiency in comparison with that of the trnH promoter. This result is in good agreement with its structure which strictly conforms to those described for mitochondrial genes of dicot plants. Instead the other promoter shows some divergences which could be responsible for its lower efficiency. The context in which trnH lies in the sunflower mitochondrial genome and other features described in the paper may suggest that, despite the high similarity with the chloroplast counterpart, the trnH gene could have a native origin.

Base Sequence↗

A conserved domain within Arc1p delivers tRNA to aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.

Two yeast enzymes that catalyze aminoacylation of tRNAs, MetRS and GluRS, form a complex with the protein Arc1p. We show here that association of Arc1p with MetRS and GluRS is required in vivo for effective recruitment of the corresponding cognate tRNAs within this complex. Arc1p is linked to MetRS and GluRS through its amino-terminal domain, while its middle and carboxy-terminal parts comprise a novel tRNA-binding domain. This results in high affinity binding of cognate tRNAs and increased aminoacylation efficiency. These findings suggest that Arc1p operates as a mobile, trans-acting tRNA-binding synthetase domain and provide new insight into the role of eukaryotic multimeric synthetase complexes.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗