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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Structure and activity of an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase that charges tRNA with nitro-tryptophan.

The most divergent of two tryptophanyl tRNA synthetases (TrpRS II) found in Deinococcus radiodurans interacts with a nitric oxide synthase protein that produces 4-nitro-tryptophan (4-NRP). TrpRS II efficiently charges transfer RNA(Trp) with 4-NRP and 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5-HRP). The crystal structures of TrpRS II bound to tryptophan and 5-HRP reveal residue substitutions that accommodate modified indoles. A class of auxiliary bacterial TrpRSs conserve this capacity to charge tRNA with nonstandard amino acids.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1988

Characterization of phage-specific transfer RNA molecules coded by Vibrio eltor phage e4.

Transfer RNAs were isolated from phage e4-infected Vibrio eltor Mak 757 cells. These were aminoacylated with 14 individual 3H-labeled L-amino acids. Hybridization of these [3H]aminoacyl-tRNAs with phage e4 DNA revealed that the phage e4 encodes tRNAs for arginine, tryptophan, tyrosine, leucine, and isoleucine. Direct aminoacylation of phage-coded tRNA molecules isolated from phage DNA-RNA hybrids also confirmed this observation.

Bacteriophages↗
PubMed1996

Evidence that two present-day components needed for the genetic code appeared after nucleated cells separated from eubacteria.

The trinucleotide/amino acid relationships of the present-day genetic code are established by the amino-acylation reactions of tRNA synthetases, whereby each of 20 specific amino acids is attached to its cognate tRNAs, which bear anticodon trinucleotides. Because of its universality, the appearance of the modern genetic code is thought to predate the separation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms in the universal phylogenetic tree. In the light of new sequence information, we present here a phylogenetic analysis that shows an unusual picture for tyrosyl- and tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetases. Ij particular, the eukaryotic tyrosyl- and tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetases are more related to each other than to their respective prokaryotic counterparts. In contrast, each of the other 18 eukaryotic synthetases is more related to its prokaryotic counterpart than to any eukaryotic synthetase specific for a different amino acid. Our results raise the possibility that present day tyrosyl- and tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetases appeared after the separation of nucleated cells from eubacteria. The results have implications for the development of the genetic code.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

The Mauriceville retroplasmid reverse transcriptase initiates cDNA synthesis de novo at the 3' end of tRNAs.

The Mauriceville retroplasmid of Neurospora mitochondria encodes a novel reverse transcriptase that initiates cDNA synthesis de novo (i.e., without a primer) at the 3' CCA of the plasmid transcript's 3' tRNA-like structure (H. Wang and A. M. Lambowitz, Cell 75:1071-1081, 1993). Here, we show that the plasmid reverse transcriptase also initiates cDNA synthesis de novo at the 3' end of tRNAs, leading to synthesis of a full-length cDNA copy of the tRNA. The use of tRNA templates in vivo was suggested previously by the structure of suppressive mutant plasmids that have incorporated mitochondrial tRNA sequences (R. A. Akins, R. L. Kelley, and A. M. Lambowitz, Cell 47:505-516, 1986). The in vitro experiments show that efficient de novo initiation on tRNA templates requires an unpaired 3' CCA and occurs predominantly opposite position C-2 of the 3' CCA sequence, the same position as in the plasmid transcript. In other reactions, the plasmid reverse transcriptase synthesizes cDNA dimers by template switching between two tRNA templates and initiates at an internal position in a tRNA by using the 3' end of the tRNA as a primer. Finally, we show that template switching between the tRNA and the plasmid transcript in vitro gives rise to hybrid cDNAs of the type predicted to be intermediates in the generation of the suppressive mutant plasmids. The ability of the plasmid reverse transcriptase to initiate at the 3' end of tRNAs presumably reflects the recognition of structural features similar to those of the 3' tRNA-like structure of the plasmid transcript. The recognition of tRNAs or tRNA-like structures as templates for cDNA synthesis may be characteristic of primitive reverse transcriptases that evolved from RNA-dependent RNA polymerases.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed1988

Mischarging mutants of Su+2 glutamine tRNA in E. coli. II. Amino acid specificities of the mutant tRNAs.

Among the mischarging mutants isolated from strains with Su+2 glutamine tRNA, two double-mutants, A37A29 and A37C38, have been suggested to insert tryptophan at the UAG amber mutation site as determined by the suppression patterns of a set of tester mutants of bacteria and phages (Yamao et al., 1988). In this paper, we screened temperature sensitive mutants of E. coli in which the mischarging suppression was abolished even at the permissive temperature. Four such mutants were obtained and they were identified as the mutants of a structural gene for tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (trpS). Authentic trpS mutations, such as trpS5 or trpS18, also restricted the mischarging suppression. These results strongly support the previous prediction that the mutant tRNAs of Su+2, A37A29 and A37C38, are capable of interacting with tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase and being misaminoacylated with tryptophan in vivo. However, in an assay to determine the specificity of the mutant glutamin tRNAs, we detected predominantly glutamine, but not any other amino acid, being inserted at an amber codon in vivo to any significant degree. We conclude that the mutant tRNAs still accept mostly glutamine, but can accept tryptophan in an extent for mischarging suppression. Since the amber suppressors of Su+7 tryptophan tRNA and the mischarging mutants of Su+3 tyrosine tRNA are charged with glutamine, structural similarity among the tRNAs for glutamine, tryptophan and tyrosine is discussed.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1980

Structural changes in the glutamine-chargeable Escherichia coli transfer RNA-Trp produced by chemical modification with sodium bisulfite.

Glutamine-mischargeable tRNA produced by sodium bisulfite-treated Escherichia coli tRNA-Trp was isolated by dihydroxyboryl-cellulose affinity column chromatography. This tRNA was shown to have dual specificity tryptophan and glutamine, and, when charged with either amino acid, bound to ribosomes in response to the non-sense codon UAG but not in response to the tryptophan codon UGG. The results were consistent with the reported properties of Su+7 tRNA. The bisulfite-treated tRNA-Trp migrated as two bands during polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The faster moving band (band I) coincided with that of untreated tRNA-Trp. The slower moving band (band II) coincided with the glutamine-chargeable tRNA-Trp. Su+7 tRNA behaved like band II tRNA upon gel electrophoresis. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that a cytidine-uridine transition occurred at the 1st or the 2n position of the anitcodon of band II tRNA. Band I and band II tRNAs differed from each other in their thermal melting profiles. It is suggested that the single base change in the anticodon is responsible for the altered conformation of band II tRNA.

Autoradiography↗
PubMed1996

Novel autoantibodies directed against the common tertiary configuration of transfer RNA in a patient with interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and characterize a novel autoantibody, anti-WS, that binds total transfer RNA (tRNA). METHODS: Serum from patient WS, who had polyarthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, Raynaud's phenomenon, and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, was used in this study. Characteristics of anti-WS and antibody-reactive determinants of tRNA were investigated by 32P immunoprecipitation using HeLa cell RNA and deletion mutants of tRNA transcribed in vitro. RESULTS: WS serum produced nucleolar and cytoplasmic staining on indirect immunofluorescence. 32P immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that this serum immunoprecipitated total tRNAs and 5.8S and 5S ribosomal RNAs from 32P-labeled HeLa cell extract. When deproteinized RNA was used as antigen source, total tRNAs were still precipitated by WS serum. An immunoprecipitation study, using various deletion mutants of Escherichia coli tRNA, demonstrated that both D and T psi C loops were needed for antibody binding. Substitution of nucleotide 18G with 18A of E coli tRNA(Trp), which is essential in the formation of the tertiary "L" shape of tRNA, inhibited binding by anti-WS antibodies. CONCLUSION: Anti-WS antibodies are novel autoantibodies directed against tRNAs. The antibody binding site is the common L-shaped tertiary structure conformed by the D loop and T psi C loop of tRNA, suggesting that the antibodies are induced by a conserved sequence among all species. Furthermore, these antibodies could be a marker for a newly recognized subset of connective tissue disease.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1991

Cloning and analysis of five mitochondrial tRNA-encoding genes from the fungus Beauveria bassiana.

Five mitochondrial (mt) tRNA genes from the filamentous fungus, Beauveria bassiana, were cloned and sequenced. The genes encoding the Val-, Ile-, Ser-, Trp- and Pro-accepting tRNAs were found clustered in the region 5' to the lrRNA-encoding gene. The genes were 64-77% homologous with the equivalent genes from other filamentous fungi, 49-58% to yeasts with the exception of the Val-accepting tRNA-encoding gene which was 76%, and only slightly homologous with Escherichia coli. The B. bassiana mt genetic code was found to be similar to that of other fungal mitochondria in that the UGA codon is used as a signal for Trp rather than as a stop codon. Transcript analysis has revealed that the genes present in tRNA cluster are transcribed and processed into tRNA-size products. Secondary structure models proposed for the gene products show that conservation of tRNA secondary structure also exists. The presence of a GGC sequence rather than a GGU sequence in the D-loop of the tRNA(Trp)-encoding gene is a feature unique to the B. bassiana mt tRNA. An unconventional G-A base pair present in the D-stem of the tRNA(Ser)-encoding gene is a feature conserved in the mt tRNA of other filamentous fungi. Comparison of the B. bassiana tRNA-encoding genes with those of two other filamentous fungi and two yeasts revealed that the differences between closely related species favoured transition-type mutations.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Replication of avian leukosis viruses with mutations at the primer binding site: use of alternative tRNAs as primers.

We have tested whether avian leukosis viruses (ALVs) can use tRNAs other than tRNATrp to initiate reverse transcription. The primer binding site (PBS) of a wild-type ALV provirus, which is complementary to the 3' end of tRNA(Trp), was replaced with sequences homologous to the 3' ends of six different chicken tRNAs (tRN(APro), tRNA(Lys), tRNA(Met), tRNA(Ile), tRNA(Phe), and tRNA(Ser)). Transfection of these proviruses into chicken embryo fibroblasts resulted in the production of infectious viruses, all of which apparently used the tRNA specified by the mutated PBS to replicate. However, growth of these viruses resulted in reversion to the wild-type (tRNA(Trp)) PBS. Some of the viruses revert quite quickly, while others are more stable. The relative stability of a given PBS correlated with the concentration of the corresponding tRNA in the virion. We determined the percentage of viral RNA that had a tRNA bound to the PBS and found that the occupancy rate is lower in the mutants than in the wild-type virus. We conclude that many different tRNAs can be used as primers to initiate reverse transcription in ALV. However, ALVs that use tRNA(Trp) have a growth advantage over ALVs that use other tRNAs.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Mutations in both the U5 region and the primer-binding site influence the selection of the tRNA used for the initiation of HIV-1 reverse transcription.

The initiation of HIV-1 reverse transcription is primed by a cellular tRNA(Lys),3 molecule which is bound to a complementary sequence near the 5' end of the viral RNA genome designated as the primer-binding site (PBS). Recent studies have suggested that sequences upstream of the PBS within U5 consisting of a stretch of adenine nucleotides (referred to as the A-loop) might be important in the selection and positioning of tRNALys,3 primer used to initiate reverse transcription. To further explore the role that the A-loop plays in reverse transcription, we have constructed proviral genomes in which the PBS was changed so as to be complementary to the 3'-terminal 18 nucleotides of tRNA(Ile), tRNA(Pro), or tRNA(Trp) [pHXB(Ile), pHXB(Pro), or pHXB(Trp), respectively]; a second set of proviral genomes was constructed which contained additional mutations so that the A-loop regions were complementary to the anticodon region of tRNA(Ile) [pHXB(Ile-AC)], tRNA(Pro) [pHXB(Pro-AC)], or tRNA(Trp) [pHXB(Trp-AC)]. Transfection of the proviruses into COS-1 cells followed by coculture with SupT1 cells resulted in production of infectious virus. PCR was used to amplify the PBS regions which were subcloned into M13mp18 followed by DNA sequence analysis. After short-term culture, the PBSs of proviruses derived from pHXB(Ile), pHXB(Pro), and pHXB(Trp) reverted to be complementary to tRNA(Lys),3. The PBSs of the viruses derived from pHXB(Ile-AC) also reverted to be complementary to tRNA(Lys),3; the A-loop region was still complementary to tRNA(Ile). In contrast, viruses derived from transfection of pHXB(Pro-AC) initially maintained a PBS complementary to tRNA(Pro). Upon extended culture, we identified proviruses which contained PBSs complementary to two additional tRNAs: tRNA(Ile) and tRNA(Lys),3. Furthermore, we found proviruses which contain two PBSs within the same genome: one complementary to tRNA(Lys),3 and a second complementary to tRNA(Pro) or tRNA(Ile). Viruses derived from transfection of pHXB(Trp-AC) were the most delayed in appearance following transfection. Analysis of the PBS revealed that early after transfection, the majority of the PBSs were complementary to tRNA(Trp). After further in vitro culture, proviruses were identified with a PBS complementary to a new tRNA, tRNA(Met). Finally, upon extended culture, the viruses derived from the transfection of pHXB(Ile-AC), pHXB(Pro-AC), and pHXB(Trp-AC) contained mutations upstream from the PBS in U5 that created a stretch of 3 adenine nucleotides. The results of these studies then highlight the flexibility that exists with respect to the selection of the tRNA primer used to initiate HIV-1 reverse transcription.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Replication of avian sarcoma virus in vivo requires an interaction between the viral RNA and the TpsiC loop of the tRNA(Trp) primer.

Reverse transcription in avian sarcoma virus (ASV) initiates from the 3' end of a tRNA(Trp) primer, which anneals near the 5' end of the RNA genome. The region around the primer-binding site (PBS) forms an elaborate stem structure composed of the U5-inverted repeat (U5-IR) stem, the U5-leader stem, and the association of the tRNA primer with the PBS. There is evidence for an additional interaction between the viral U5 RNA and the T psi C loop of the tRNA(Trp) (U5-T psi C). We now demonstrate that this U5-T psi C interaction is necessary for efficient replication of ASV in culture. By randomizing specific biologically relevant regions of the viral RNA, thereby producing a library of mutant viruses, we are able to select, through multiple rounds of infection, those sequences imparting survival fitness to the virus. Randomizing the U5-T psi C interaction region of the viral RNA results in selection of largely wild-type sequences after five rounds of infection. Also recovered are mutant viruses that maintain their ability to base pair with the T psi C loop of the tRNA(Trp). To prove this interaction is specific to the tRNA primer, we constructed a second library, in which we altered the PBS to anneal to tRNA(Pro), while simultaneously randomizing the viral RNA U5-T psi C region. After five rounds of infection, the consensus sequence 5'-GPuPuCPy-3' emerged, which is complementary to the 5'-GGTTC-3' sequence found in the T psi C loop of tRNA(Pro). These observations confirm the importance of the U5-T psi C interaction in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Interaction between retroviral U5 RNA and the T psi C loop of the tRNA(Trp) primer is required for efficient initiation of reverse transcription.

The 5' end of avian sarcoma and leukosis virus RNA near the primer binding site forms two RNA secondary structures, U5-inverted repeat (U5-IR) and U5-leader stems, which are required for efficient initiation of reverse transcription. Lying between these two secondary structures is a 7-base sequence that can anneal to the T psi C loop of the tRNA(Trp) primer. Base substitutions in U5 RNA which disrupt this potential interaction result in a defect in the initiation of reverse transcription both in vivo and in vitro. The defect can be complemented in vitro by base substitutions in the primer. The U5 RNA-T psi C interaction is also dependent upon the presence of both the U5-IR and the U5-leader structures. These RNA secondary structures and primer interactions are conserved in other type C and D retroviruses, suggesting that there is a common mechanism for the initiation of reverse transcription in all of these retroviruses.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2000

A new mtDNA mutation associated with a progressive encephalopathy and cytochrome c oxidase deficiency.

The authors describe a novel pathogenic G5540A transition in the mitochondrial transfer RNA (tRNA)Trp gene of a sporadic encephalomyopathy characterized by spinocerebellar ataxia. Clinical features also included neurosensorial deafness, peripheral neuropathy, and dementia. Biochemistry revealed a severe reduction of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity. Single-fiber PCR demonstrated higher levels of mutant genomes in COX-negative ragged red fibers than in normal fibers. These findings confirm that COX is more susceptible than other respiratory chain complexes to mutations in the mitochondrial tRNATrp gene.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Characterization of the cDNA synthesized by avian retrovirus reverse transcriptase using 35 S avian myeloblastosis virus RNA and an exogenous bovine primer tRNA.

Bovine tRNA(Trp) can be partially hybridized to the avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) 35 S RNA at 37 degrees C, in the presence of AMV RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase). This template-primer complex is active in the synthesis of viral cDNA. The size of the cDNA products synthesized in the in vitro reconstituted AMV system was determined by urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using a tRNA labelled at the 3'-end by yeast tRNA nucleotidyl transferase. The synthesized cDNA has a size of about 100 nucleotides and was shown by Southern blotting to be complementary to a specific sequence of the 5'-end of the retroviral genome. These results indicate that reverse transcriptase is able to anneal the exogenous primer tRNA at the 'primer-binding site' near the 5'-end of the long terminal repeat (LTR) of AMV RNA.

Avian Leukosis Virus↗
PubMed2003

In vitro RNP assembly and methylation guide activity of an unusual box C/D RNA, cis-acting archaeal pre-tRNA(Trp).

Among the large family of C/D methylation guide RNAs, the intron of euryarchaeal pre-tRNA(Trp) represents an outstanding specimen able to guide in cis, instead of in trans, two 2'-O-methylations in the pre-tRNA exons. Remarkably, both sites of methylation involve nucleotides within the bulge-helix-bulge (BHB) splicing motif, while the RNA-guided methylation and pre-tRNA splicing events depend on mutually exclusive RNA folding patterns. Using the three recombinant core proteins of archaeal C/D RNPs, we have analyzed in vitro RNP assembly of the pre-tRNA and tested its site-specific methylation activity. Recognition by L7Ae of hallmark K-turns at the C/D and C'/D' motifs appears as a crucial assembly step required for subsequent binding of a Nop5p-aFib heterodimer at each site. Unexpectedly, however, even without L7Ae but at a higher concentration of Nop5p-aFib, a substantially active RNP complex can still form, possibly reflecting the higher propensity of the cis-acting system to form guide RNA duplex(es) relative to classical trans- acting C/D RNA guides. Moreover, footprinting data of RNPs, consistent with Nop5p interacting with the non-canonical stem of the K-turn, suggest that binding of Nop5p-aFib to the pre-tRNA-L7Ae complex might direct transition from a splicing-competent structure to an RNA conformer displaying the guide RNA duplexes required for site-specific methylation.

Archaeal Proteins↗
PubMed1988

Small finger protein of avian and murine retroviruses has nucleic acid annealing activity and positions the replication primer tRNA onto genomic RNA.

Retrovirus virions carry a diploid genome associated with a large number of small viral finger protein molecules which are required for encapsidation. Our present results show that finger protein p12 of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) and p10 of murine leukaemia virus (MuLV) positions replication primer tRNA on the replication initiation site (PBS) at the 5' end of the RNA genome. An RSV mutant with a Val-Pro insertion in the finger motif of p12 is able to partially encapsidate genomic RNA but is not infectious because mutated p12 is incapable of positioning the replication primer, tRNATrp. Since all known replication competent retroviruses, and the plant virus CaMV, code for finger proteins analogous to RSV p12 or MuLV p10, the initial stage of reverse transcription in avian, mammalian and human retroviruses and in CaMV is probably controlled in an analogous way.

Avian Sarcoma Viruses↗
PubMed1996

UGA suppression by tRNACmCATrp occurs in diverse virus RNAs due to a limited influence of the codon context.

We have recently identified chloroplast and cytoplasmic tRNACmCATrp as the first natural UGA suppressor tRNAs in plants. The interaction of these tRNAs with UGA involves a Cm: A mismatch at the first anticodon position. We show here that tRNACmCATrp is incapable of misreading UAA and UAG codons in vitro, implying that unconventional base pairs are not tolerated in the middle anticodon position. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the ability of tRNACmCATrp to promote UGA read-through depends on a quite simple codon context. Part of the sequence surrounding the leaky UGA stop codon in tobacco rattle virus RNA-1 was subcloned into a zein reporter gene and read-through efficiency was measured by translation of RNA transcripts in wheat germ extract. A number of mutations in the codons adjacent to the UGA were introduced by site-directed mutagenesis. It was found that single nucleotide exchanges at either side of the UGA had little effect on read-through efficiency. A pronounced influence on suppression by tRNACmCATrp was seen only if 2 or 3 nt at the 3'-side of the UGA codon had been simultaneously replaced. As a consequence of the flexible codon context accepted by tRNACmCATrp, this tRNA is able to misread the UGA in a number of plant and animal viral RNAs that use translational read-through for expression of some of their genes.

Codon, Nonsense↗
PubMed1997

Multiple biological roles associated with the Rous sarcoma virus 5' untranslated RNA U5-IR stem and loop.

The 5' untranslated region of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) RNA is a highly ordered structure involved in multiple processes in the viral replication cycle. One of these structures, referred to as the U5-IR stem, is located immediately upstream of the 5' end of the primer binding site. Disruption of its base pairing results in a decrease in initiation of reverse transcription (D. Cobrinik, A. Aiyar, Z. Ge, M. Katzman, H. Huang, and J. Leis, J. Virol. 65:3864-3872, 1991). In the present study, the length of the U5-IR stem structure has been extended by insertions of different sequences which decrease the efficiency of reverse transcription, in vivo and in vitro. Reverse transcription is rescued partially by placing single-stranded bulges into the middle of the extended duplexes. Nucleotide substitutions or insertions into the loop region of the U5-IR stem also decrease the efficiency of reverse transcription, suggesting that these sequences may specifically interact with reverse transcriptase. Surprisingly, all of the extended stem mutations cause significant RNA packaging defects. In contrast, nucleotide insertions or base substitutions in the U5-IR loop do not affect RNA packaging. These data indicate that the reverse transcription initiation complex and RNA packaging apparatus are influenced by the same region of RSV RNA and that each process is differentially sensitive to changes in sequence and/or secondary structure.

Animals↗