1
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Elder JJH, Papadopoulos R, Hayne CK, Stanley RE. The making and breaking of tRNAs by ribonucleases. Trends Genet 2024; 40:511-525. [PMID: 38641471 PMCID: PMC11152995 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2024.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Ribonucleases (RNases) play important roles in supporting canonical and non-canonical roles of tRNAs by catalyzing the cleavage of the tRNA phosphodiester backbone. Here, we highlight how recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), protein structure prediction, reconstitution experiments, tRNA sequencing, and other studies have revealed new insight into the nucleases that process tRNA. This represents a very diverse group of nucleases that utilize distinct mechanisms to recognize and cleave tRNA during different stages of a tRNA's life cycle including biogenesis, fragmentation, surveillance, and decay. In this review, we provide a synthesis of the structure, mechanism, regulation, and modes of tRNA recognition by tRNA nucleases, along with open questions for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J H Elder
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Ry Papadopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Cassandra K Hayne
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Robin E Stanley
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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2
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Zhang Q, Zhao X, Sun M, Dong D. Novel insights into transfer RNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) in cardio-metabolic diseases. Life Sci 2024; 341:122475. [PMID: 38309576 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Cardio-metabolic diseases, including a cluster of metabolic disorders and their secondary affections on cardiovascular physiology, are gradually brought to the forefront by researchers due to their high prevalence and mortality, as well as an unidentified pathogenesis. tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), cleaved by several specific enzymes and once considered as some "metabolic junks" in the past, have been proved to possess numerous functions in human bodies. More interestingly, such a potential also seems to influence the progression of cardio-metabolic diseases to some extent. In this review, the biogenesis, classification and mechanisms of tsRNAs will be discussed based on some latest studies, and their relations with several cardio-metabolic diseases will be highlighted in sequence. Lastly, some future prospects, such as their clinical applications as biomarkers and therapeutic targets will also be mentioned, in order to provide researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the research status of tsRNAs as well as its association with cardio-metabolic diseases, thus presenting as a beacon to indicate directions for the next stage of study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingya Zhang
- Innovation Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaopeng Zhao
- College of Exercise and Health, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang 110102, Liaoning, China
| | - Mingli Sun
- College of Exercise and Health, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang 110102, Liaoning, China
| | - Dan Dong
- College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China.
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3
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Zhang J, Li K, Sun Y, Yao C, Liu W, Liu H, Zhong Y. An efficient CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system based on a multiple sgRNA processing platform in Trichoderma reesei for strain improvement and enzyme production. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2024; 17:22. [PMID: 38342915 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02468-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The CRISPR/Cas9 technology is being employed as a convenient tool for genetic engineering of the industrially important filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei. However, multiplex gene editing is still constrained by the sgRNA processing capability, hindering strain improvement of T. reesei for the production of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes and recombinant proteins. RESULTS Here, a CRISPR/Cas9 system based on a multiple sgRNA processing platform was established for genome editing in T. reesei. The platform contains the arrayed tRNA-sgRNA architecture directed by a 5S rRNA promoter to generate multiple sgRNAs from a single transcript by the endogenous tRNA processing system. With this system, two sgRNAs targeting cre1 (encoding the carbon catabolite repressor 1) were designed and the precise deletion of cre1 was obtained, demonstrating the efficiency of sgRNAs processing in the tRNA-sgRNA architecture. Moreover, overexpression of xyr1-A824V (encoding a key activator for cellulase/xylanase expression) at the ace1 (encoding a repressor for cellulase/xylanase expression) locus was achieved by designing two sgRNAs targeting ace1 in the system, resulting in the significantly enhanced production of cellulase (up to 1- and 18-fold on the Avicel and glucose, respectively) and xylanase (up to 11- and 41-fold on the Avicel and glucose, respectively). Furthermore, heterologous expression of the glucose oxidase gene from Aspergillus niger ATCC 9029 at the cbh1 locus with the simultaneous deletion of cbh1 and cbh2 (two cellobiohydrolase coding genes) by designing four sgRNAs targeting cbh1 and cbh2 in the system was acquired, and the glucose oxidase produced by T. reesei reached 43.77 U/mL. Besides, it was found the ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD) level was decreased in the glucose oxidase-producing strain, which was likely due to the reduction of secretion pressure by deletion of the major endogenous cellulase-encoding genes. CONCLUSIONS The tRNA-gRNA array-based CRISPR-Cas9 editing system was successfully developed in T. reesei. This system would accelerate engineering of T. reesei for high-level production of enzymes including lignocellulose-degrading enzymes and other recombinant enzymes. Furthermore, it would expand the CRISPR toolbox for fungal genome editing and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Kehang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Weifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yaohua Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Mattijssen S, Kerkhofs K, Stephen J, Yang A, Han CG, Tadafumi Y, Iben JR, Mishra S, Sakhawala RM, Ranjan A, Gowda M, Gahl WA, Gu S, Malicdan MC, Maraia RJ. A POLR3B-variant reveals a Pol III transcriptome response dependent on La protein/SSB. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.05.577363. [PMID: 38410490 PMCID: PMC10896340 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.05.577363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
RNA polymerase III (Pol III, POLR3) synthesizes tRNAs and other small non-coding RNAs. Human POLR3 pathogenic variants cause a range of developmental disorders, recapitulated in part by mouse models, yet some aspects of POLR3 deficiency have not been explored. We characterized a human POLR3B:c.1625A>G;p.(Asn542Ser) disease variant that was found to cause mis-splicing of POLR3B. Genome-edited POLR3B1625A>G HEK293 cells acquired the mis-splicing with decreases in multiple POLR3 subunits and TFIIIB, although display auto-upregulation of the Pol III termination-reinitiation subunit POLR3E. La protein was increased relative to its abundant pre-tRNA ligands which bind via their U(n)U-3'-termini. Assays for cellular transcription revealed greater deficiencies for tRNA genes bearing terminators comprised of 4Ts than of ≥5Ts. La-knockdown decreased Pol III ncRNA expression unlinked to RNA stability. Consistent with these effects, small-RNAseq showed that POLR3B1625A>G and patient fibroblasts express more tRNA fragments (tRFs) derived from pre-tRNA 3'-trailers (tRF-1) than from mature-tRFs, and higher levels of multiple miRNAs, relative to control cells. The data indicate that decreased levels of Pol III transcripts can lead to functional excess of La protein which reshapes small ncRNA profiles revealing new depth in the Pol III system. Finally, patient cell RNA analysis uncovered a strategy for tRF-1/tRF-3 as POLR3-deficiency biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Mattijssen
- Section on Molecular and Cell Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kyra Kerkhofs
- Section on Molecular and Cell Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Joshi Stephen
- Section of Human Biochemical Genetics, Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Acong Yang
- RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702 USA
| | - Chen G. Han
- Section of Human Biochemical Genetics, Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yokoyama Tadafumi
- Section of Human Biochemical Genetics, Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - James R. Iben
- Molecular Genetics Core, NICHD, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Saurabh Mishra
- Section on Molecular and Cell Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Rima M. Sakhawala
- Section on Molecular and Cell Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Amitabh Ranjan
- Section on Molecular and Cell Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mamatha Gowda
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - William A. Gahl
- Section of Human Biochemical Genetics, Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shuo Gu
- RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702 USA
| | - May C. Malicdan
- Section of Human Biochemical Genetics, Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Richard J. Maraia
- Section on Molecular and Cell Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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5
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Zhang J. Recognition of the tRNA structure: Everything everywhere but not all at once. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:36-52. [PMID: 38159570 PMCID: PMC10843564 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
tRNAs are among the most abundant and essential biomolecules in cells. These spontaneously folding, extensively structured yet conformationally flexible anionic polymers literally bridge the worlds of RNAs and proteins, and serve as Rosetta stones that decipher and interpret the genetic code. Their ubiquitous presence, functional irreplaceability, and privileged access to cellular compartments and ribosomes render them prime targets for both endogenous regulation and exogenous manipulation. There is essentially no part of the tRNA that is not touched by another interaction partner, either as programmed or imposed by an external adversary. Recent progresses in genetic, biochemical, and structural analyses of the tRNA interactome produced a wealth of new knowledge into their interaction networks, regulatory functions, and molecular interfaces. In this review, I describe and illustrate the general principles of tRNA recognition by proteins and other RNAs, and discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms that deliver affinity, specificity, and functional competency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwei Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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6
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Ow MC, Hall SE. Inheritance of Stress Responses via Small Non-Coding RNAs in Invertebrates and Mammals. EPIGENOMES 2023; 8:1. [PMID: 38534792 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
While reports on the generational inheritance of a parental response to stress have been widely reported in animals, the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon have only recently emerged. The booming interest in epigenetic inheritance has been facilitated in part by the discovery that small non-coding RNAs are one of its principal conduits. Discovered 30 years ago in the Caenorhabditis elegans nematode, these small molecules have since cemented their critical roles in regulating virtually all aspects of eukaryotic development. Here, we provide an overview on the current understanding of epigenetic inheritance in animals, including mice and C. elegans, as it pertains to stresses such as temperature, nutritional, and pathogenic encounters. We focus on C. elegans to address the mechanistic complexity of how small RNAs target their cohort mRNAs to effect gene expression and how they govern the propagation or termination of generational perdurance in epigenetic inheritance. Presently, while a great amount has been learned regarding the heritability of gene expression states, many more questions remain unanswered and warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Ow
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Sarah E Hall
- Department of Biology and Program in Neuroscience, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
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7
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Du J, Huang T, Zheng Z, Fang S, Deng H, Liu K. Biological function and clinical application prospect of tsRNAs in digestive system biology and pathology. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:302. [PMID: 37904174 PMCID: PMC10614346 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01341-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
tsRNAs are small non-coding RNAs originating from tRNA that play important roles in a variety of physiological activities such as RNA silencing, ribosome biogenesis, retrotransposition, and epigenetic inheritance, as well as involvement in cellular differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. tsRNA-related abnormalities have a significant influence on the onset, development, and progression of numerous human diseases, including malignant tumors through affecting the cell cycle and specific signaling molecules. This review introduced origins together with tsRNAs classification, providing a summary for regulatory mechanism and physiological function while dysfunctional effect of tsRNAs in digestive system diseases, focusing on the clinical prospects of tsRNAs for diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Du
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tianyi Huang
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhen Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuai Fang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongxia Deng
- The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Kaitai Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
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8
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Wilson B, Su Z, Kumar P, Dutta A. XRN2 suppresses aberrant entry of tRNA trailers into argonaute in humans and Arabidopsis. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010755. [PMID: 37146074 PMCID: PMC10191329 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a well-characterized class of small RNAs (sRNAs) that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. miRNAs function within a complex milieu of other sRNAs of similar size and abundance, with the best characterized being tRNA fragments or tRFs. The mechanism by which the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) selects for specific sRNAs over others is not entirely understood in human cells. Several highly expressed tRNA trailers (tRF-1s) are strikingly similar to microRNAs in length but are generally excluded from the microRNA effector pathway. This exclusion provides a paradigm for identifying mechanisms of RISC selectivity. Here, we show that 5' to 3' exoribonuclease XRN2 contributes to human RISC selectivity. Although highly abundant, tRF-1s are highly unstable and degraded by XRN2 which blocks tRF-1 accumulation in RISC. We also find that XRN mediated degradation of tRF-1s and subsequent exclusion from RISC is conserved in plants. Our findings reveal a conserved mechanism that prevents aberrant entry of a class of highly produced sRNAs into Ago2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briana Wilson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Zhangli Su
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Pankaj Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Anindya Dutta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
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9
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Gong M, Deng Y, Xiang Y, Ye D. The role and mechanism of action of tRNA-derived fragments in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:62. [PMID: 36964534 PMCID: PMC10036988 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01079-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and death worldwide. While various factors are established as causing malignant tumors, the mechanisms underlying cancer development remain poorly understood. Early diagnosis and the development of effective treatments for cancer are important research topics. Transfer RNA (tRNA), the most abundant class of RNA molecules in the human transcriptome, participates in both protein synthesis and cellular metabolic processes. tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are produced by specific cleavage of pre-tRNA and mature tRNA molecules, which are highly conserved and occur widely in various organisms. tRFs were initially thought to be random products with no physiological function, but have been redefined as novel functional small non-coding RNA molecules that help to regulate RNA stability, modulate translation, and influence target gene expression, as well as other biological processes. There is increasing evidence supporting roles for tRFs in tumorigenesis and cancer development, including the regulation of tumor cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and drug resistance. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms by which tRFs impact these processes has potential to inform malignant tumor diagnosis and treatment. Further, tRFs are expected to become new biological markers for early diagnosis and prognosis prediction in patients with tumors, as well as a targets for precision cancer therapies. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdan Gong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongqin Deng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yizhen Xiang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dong Ye
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China.
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10
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Yang M, Mo Y, Ren D, Liu S, Zeng Z, Xiong W. Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs in tumor microenvironment. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:32. [PMID: 36797764 PMCID: PMC9933334 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01742-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs responsible for amino acid translocation during protein synthesis and are ubiquitously found in organisms. With certain modifications and under specific conditions, tRNAs can be sheared and fragmented into small non-coding RNAs, also known as tRNA-derived small RNAs (tDRs). With the development of high-throughput sequencing technologies and bioinformatic strategies, more and more tDRs have been identified and their functions in organisms have been characterized. tRNA and it derived tDRs, have been shown to be essential not only for transcription and translation, but also for regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and immunity. Aberrant expression of tDRs is associated with a wide range of human diseases, especially with tumorigenesis and tumor progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex ecosystem consisting of various cellular and cell-free components that are mutually compatible with the tumor. It has been shown that tDRs regulate the TME by regulating cancer stem cells, immunity, energy metabolism, epithelial mesenchymal transition, and extracellular matrix remodeling, playing a pro-tumor or tumor suppressor role. In this review, the biogenesis, classification, and function of tDRs, as well as their effects on the TME and the clinical application prospects will be summarized and discussed based on up to date available knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yang
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongzhen Mo
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Daixi Ren
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shun Liu
- grid.452708.c0000 0004 1803 0208Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China. .,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China. .,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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11
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Ha SG, Lee SJV. The role of tRNA-derived small RNAs in aging. BMB Rep 2023; 56:49-55. [PMID: 36646437 PMCID: PMC9978369 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2022-0199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is characterized by a gradual decline in biological functions, leading to the increased probability of diseases and deaths in organisms. Previous studies have identified biological factors that modulate aging and lifespan, including non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Here, we review the relationship between aging and tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), ncRNAs that are generated from the cleavage of tRNAs. We describe age-dependent changes in tsRNA levels and their functions in age-related diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. We also discuss the association of tsRNAs with aging-regulating processes, including mitochondrial respiration and reduced mRNA translation. We cover recent findings regarding the potential roles of tsRNAs in cellular senescence, a major cause of organismal aging. Overall, our review will provide useful information for understanding the roles of tsRNAs in aging and age-associated diseases. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(2): 49-55].
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokjun G. Ha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Seung-Jae V. Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
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12
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Ha SG, Lee SJV. The role of tRNA-derived small RNAs in aging. BMB Rep 2023; 56:49-55. [PMID: 36646437 PMCID: PMC9978369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is characterized by a gradual decline in biological functions, leading to the increased probability of diseases and deaths in organisms. Previous studies have identified biological factors that modulate aging and lifespan, including non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Here, we review the relationship between aging and tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), ncRNAs that are generated from the cleavage of tRNAs. We describe age-dependent changes in tsRNA levels and their functions in age-related diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. We also discuss the association of tsRNAs with aging-regulating processes, including mitochondrial respiration and reduced mRNA translation. We cover recent findings regarding the potential roles of tsRNAs in cellular senescence, a major cause of organismal aging. Overall, our review will provide useful information for understanding the roles of tsRNAs in aging and age-associated diseases. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(2): 49-55].
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokjun G. Ha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Seung-Jae V. Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
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13
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Panoutsopoulou K, Magkou P, Dreyer T, Dorn J, Obermayr E, Mahner S, van Gorp T, Braicu I, Magdolen V, Zeillinger R, Avgeris M, Scorilas A. tRNA-derived small RNA 3'U-tRF ValCAC promotes tumour migration and early progression in ovarian cancer. Eur J Cancer 2023; 180:134-145. [PMID: 36599181 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite recent advances in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) management, the highly heterogenous histological/molecular tumour background and patients' treatment response obstructs personalised prognosis and therapeutics. Herein, we have studied the role and clinical utility of the novel subclass of tRNA-derived small RNA fragments emerging via 3'-trailer processing of pre-tRNAs (3'U-tRFs) in EOC. METHODS SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells were used for in vitro study. Following transfection, cell growth and migration were assessed by CCK8 and wound healing assays, respectively. 3'U-tRFs levels were assessed by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), following 3'-end RNA polyadenylation. A screening (OVCAD, n = 100) and institutionally independent validation (TU Munich, n = 103) cohorts were employed for survival analysis using disease progression and patients' death as clinical end-points. Bootstrap analysis was performed for internal validation, and decision curve analysis was used to evaluate clinical benefit on disease prognosis. RESULTS Following primary clinical assessment, target prediction and gene ontology analyses, the 3'U-tRFValCAC (derived from pre-tRNAValCAC) was highlighted to regulate cell proliferation and adhesion, and to correlate with inferior patients' outcome. 3'U-tRFValCAC transfection of SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells resulted in significantly increased cell growth and migration, in a dose-dependent manner. Elevated tumour 3'U-tRFValCAC levels were associated with significantly higher risk for early progression and worse survival following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, independently of patients' clinicopathological data, chemotherapy response, and residual tumour. Interestingly, 3'U-tRFValCAC-fitted multivariate models improved risk stratification and provided superior clinical net benefit in prediction of treatment outcome compared to disease established markers. CONCLUSIONS 3'U-tRFValCAC promotes tumour cell growth and migration and supports modern risk stratification and prognosis in EOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Panoutsopoulou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Magkou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Tobias Dreyer
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Dorn
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eva Obermayr
- Molecular Oncology Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Comprehensive Cancer Center-Gynecologic Cancer Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sven Mahner
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Toon van Gorp
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ioana Braicu
- Department of Gynecology, Charité University Medicine, Campus Virchow, Berlin, Germany
| | - Viktor Magdolen
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert Zeillinger
- Molecular Oncology Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Comprehensive Cancer Center-Gynecologic Cancer Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Margaritis Avgeris
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry - Molecular Diagnostics, Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "P. & A. Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
| | - Andreas Scorilas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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14
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Kaur R, Nikkel DJ, Aboelnga MM, Wetmore SD. The Impact of DFT Functional, Cluster Model Size, and Implicit Solvation on the Structural Description of Single-Metal-Mediated DNA Phosphodiester Bond Cleavage: The Case Study of APE1. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:10672-10683. [PMID: 36485014 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c06756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Phosphodiester bond hydrolysis in nucleic acids is a ubiquitous reaction that can be facilitated by enzymes called nucleases, which often use metal ions to achieve catalytic function. While a two-metal-mediated pathway has been well established for many enzymes, there is growing support that some enzymes require only one metal for the catalytic step. Using human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE1) as a prototypical example and cluster models, this study clarifies the impact of DFT functional, cluster model size, and implicit solvation on single-metal-mediated phosphodiester bond cleavage and provides insight into how to efficiently model this chemistry. Initially, a model containing 69 atoms built from a high-resolution X-ray crystal structure is used to explore the reaction pathway mapped by a range of DFT functionals and basis sets, which provides support for the use of standard functionals (M06-2X and B3LYP-D3) to study this reaction. Subsequently, systematically increasing the model size to 185 atoms by including additional amino acids and altering residue truncation points highlights that small models containing only a few amino acids or β carbon truncation points introduce model strains and lead to incorrect metal coordination. Indeed, a model that contains all key residues (general base and acid, residues that stabilize the substrate, and amino acids that maintain the metal coordination) is required for an accurate structural depiction of the one-metal-mediated phosphodiester bond hydrolysis by APE1, which results in 185 atoms. The additional inclusion of the broader enzyme environment through continuum solvation models has negligible effects. The insights gained in the present work can be used to direct future computational studies of other one-metal-dependent nucleases to provide a greater understanding of how nature achieves this difficult chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajwinder Kaur
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Dylan J Nikkel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Mohamed M Aboelnga
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada.,Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, New Damietta 34517, Egypt
| | - Stacey D Wetmore
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
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15
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Hou J, Li Q, Wang J, Lu W. tRFs and tRNA Halves: Novel Cellular Defenders in Multiple Biological Processes. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:5949-5962. [PMID: 36547066 PMCID: PMC9777342 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44120405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
tRNA fragments derived from angiogenin or Dicer cleavage are referred to as tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) and tRNA halves. tRFs and tRNA halves have been identified in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes and are precisely cleaved at specific sites on either precursor or mature tRNA transcripts rather than via random degradation. tRFs and tRNA halves are highly involved in regulating transcription and translation in a canonical or non-canonical manner in response to cellular stress. In this review, we summarize the biogenesis and types of tRFs and tRNA halves, clarify the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of tRNA fragments in both physiological and pathological processes with a particular focus on their cytoprotective roles in defending against oxidation and apoptosis, and highlight their potential application as biomarkers in determining cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiani Hou
- Jilin Provincial International Joint Research Center of Animal Breeding & Reproduction Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- Key Lab of the Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Qianqing Li
- Jilin Provincial International Joint Research Center of Animal Breeding & Reproduction Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- Key Lab of the Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Jilin Provincial International Joint Research Center of Animal Breeding & Reproduction Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- Key Lab of the Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- Correspondence: (J.W.); (W.L.); Tel.: +86-0431-84533525; Fax: +861-0431-84533525
| | - Wenfa Lu
- Jilin Provincial International Joint Research Center of Animal Breeding & Reproduction Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- Key Lab of the Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- Correspondence: (J.W.); (W.L.); Tel.: +86-0431-84533525; Fax: +861-0431-84533525
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16
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Sekulovski S, Trowitzsch S. Transfer RNA processing - from a structural and disease perspective. Biol Chem 2022; 403:749-763. [PMID: 35728022 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2021-0406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are highly structured non-coding RNAs which play key roles in translation and cellular homeostasis. tRNAs are initially transcribed as precursor molecules and mature by tightly controlled, multistep processes that involve the removal of flanking and intervening sequences, over 100 base modifications, addition of non-templated nucleotides and aminoacylation. These molecular events are intertwined with the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of tRNAs to make them available at translating ribosomes. Defects in tRNA processing are linked to the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we summarize structural aspects of tRNA processing steps with a special emphasis on intron-containing tRNA splicing involving tRNA splicing endonuclease and ligase. Their role in neurological pathologies will be discussed. Identification of novel RNA substrates of the tRNA splicing machinery has uncovered functions unrelated to tRNA processing. Future structural and biochemical studies will unravel their mechanistic underpinnings and deepen our understanding of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samoil Sekulovski
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, D-60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Simon Trowitzsch
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, D-60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
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17
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Westhof E, Thornlow B, Chan PP, Lowe TM. Eukaryotic tRNA sequences present conserved and amino acid-specific structural signatures. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4100-4112. [PMID: 35380696 PMCID: PMC9023262 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Metazoan organisms have many tRNA genes responsible for decoding amino acids. The set of all tRNA genes can be grouped in sets of common amino acids and isoacceptor tRNAs that are aminoacylated by corresponding aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Analysis of tRNA alignments shows that, despite the high number of tRNA genes, specific tRNA sequence motifs are highly conserved across multicellular eukaryotes. The conservation often extends throughout the isoacceptors and isodecoders with, in some cases, two sets of conserved isodecoders. This study is focused on non-Watson–Crick base pairs in the helical stems, especially GoU pairs. Each of the four helical stems may contain one or more conserved GoU pairs. Some are amino acid specific and could represent identity elements for the cognate aminoacyl tRNA synthetases. Other GoU pairs are found in more than a single amino acid and could be critical for native folding of the tRNAs. Interestingly, some GoU pairs are anticodon-specific, and others are found in phylogenetically-specific clades. Although the distribution of conservation likely reflects a balance between accommodating isotype-specific functions as well as those shared by all tRNAs essential for ribosomal translation, such conservations may indicate the existence of specialized tRNAs for specific translation targets, cellular conditions, or alternative functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Westhof
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, CNRS UPR 9002, 2, allée Konrad Roentgen, F-67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Bryan Thornlow
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Baskin School of Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.,UCSC Genomics Institute, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Patricia P Chan
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Baskin School of Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.,UCSC Genomics Institute, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Todd M Lowe
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Baskin School of Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.,UCSC Genomics Institute, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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18
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Williams AM, Jensen DM, Pan X, Liu P, Liu J, Huls S, Regner KR, Iczkowski KA, Wang F, Li J, Gallan AJ, Wang T, Baker MA, Liu Y, Lalehzari N, Liang M. Histologically resolved small RNA maps in primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis indicate progressive changes within glomerular and tubulointerstitial regions. Kidney Int 2022; 101:766-778. [PMID: 35114200 PMCID: PMC8940673 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2021.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pathological heterogeneity is common in clinical tissue specimens and complicates the interpretation of molecular data obtained from the specimen. As a typical example, a kidney biopsy specimen often contains glomeruli and tubulointerstitial regions with different levels of histological injury, including some that are histologically normal. We reasoned that the molecular profiles of kidney tissue regions with specific histological injury scores could provide new insights into kidney injury progression. Therefore, we developed a strategy to perform small RNA deep sequencing analysis for individually scored glomerular and tubulointerstitial regions in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded kidney needle biopsies. This approach was applied to study focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), the leading cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Large numbers of small RNAs, including microRNAs, 3'-tRFs, 5'-tRFs, and mitochondrial tRFs, were differentially expressed between histologically indistinguishable tissue regions from patients with FSGS and matched healthy controls. A majority of tRFs were upregulated in FSGS. Several small RNAs were differentially expressed between tissue regions with different histological scores in FSGS. Notably, with increasing levels of histological damage, miR-21-5p was upregulated progressively and miR-192-5p was downregulated progressively in glomerular and tubulointerstitial regions, respectively. This study marks the first genome scale molecular profiling conducted in histologically characterized glomerular and tubulointerstitial regions. Thus, substantial molecular changes in histologically normal kidney regions in FSGS might contribute to initiating tissue injury or represent compensatory mechanisms. In addition, several small RNAs might contribute to subsequent progression of glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury, and histologically mapping small RNA profiles may be applied to analyze tissue specimens in any disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Marie Williams
- Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - David M Jensen
- Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Pan
- Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Mathematics, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengyuan Liu
- Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jing Liu
- Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Sean Huls
- Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kevin R Regner
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kenneth A Iczkowski
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Feng Wang
- Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Junhui Li
- Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Alexander J Gallan
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tao Wang
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute of Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Maria Angeles Baker
- Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Yong Liu
- Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nava Lalehzari
- Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mingyu Liang
- Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
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19
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Luo K, Li S, Zheng Z, Lai X, Ju M, Li C, Wan X. tsRNAs及其对植物响应非生物胁迫时基因表达的调控. CHINESE SCIENCE BULLETIN-CHINESE 2022. [DOI: 10.1360/tb-2022-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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20
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Structural basis for impaired 5' processing of a mutant tRNA associated with defects in neuronal homeostasis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2119529119. [PMID: 35238631 PMCID: PMC8915964 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2119529119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding and treating neurological disorders are global priorities. Some of these diseases are engendered by mutations that cause defects in the cellular synthesis of transfer RNAs (tRNAs), which function as adapter molecules that translate messenger RNAs into proteins. During tRNA biogenesis, ribonuclease P catalyzes removal of the transcribed sequence upstream of the mature tRNA. Here, we focus on a cytoplasmic tRNAArgUCU that is expressed specifically in neurons and, when harboring a particular point mutation, contributes to neurodegeneration in mice. Our results suggest that this mutation favors stable alternative structures that are not cleaved by mouse ribonuclease P and motivate a paradigm that may help to understand the molecular basis for disease-associated mutations in other tRNAs. n-Tr20 is a neuron-specific, cytoplasmic transfer RNAArgUCU (tRNAArgUCU) isodecoder that affects seizure susceptibility, neuronal excitability, and translation signaling in mice. In addition, the C50U substitution in n-Tr20 (n-Tr20C50U), which is found in the widely used C57BL/6J (B6J) inbred mouse line, contributes to neurodegeneration by epistatic interactions with mutations in Gtpbp1 or Gtpbp2, two factors that rescue ribosomal stalling. The brains of B6J mice have high levels of immature and low levels of mature n-Tr20C50U, implicating defective tRNA biogenesis as the basis for neuronal dysfunction, a hypothesis tested in this study. We demonstrate that partially purified mouse brain ribonuclease P, the endonuclease responsible for 5′ maturation of tRNAs, exhibits at 1 mM magnesium a 20-fold lower apparent cleavage rate for processing the n-Tr20C50U precursor than the wild-type precursor. Thermal denaturation studies unexpectedly revealed that substituting the native C50-G64 base pair with the U50-G64 wobble pair in n-Tr20C50U increased the Tm by as much as 8 °C, with the magnitude of the change dependent on [Mg2+]. Moreover, results from thermal denaturation, native gel electrophoresis, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and kinetic studies collectively support the presence of stable alternative folds for n-Tr20C50U that may also be sampled transiently and in low abundance by the wild-type tRNA. These findings suggest that mutation-driven restructuring could foster nonnative folds and that conformational toggling of tRNAs poses an intrinsic risk for dysfunction when point mutations selectively stabilize nonnative states. This model may be applicable for understanding the molecular basis of other diseases that are associated with tRNA mutations.
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21
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Sun Z, Hu Y, Zhou Y, Jiang N, Hu S, Li L, Li T. tRNA-derived fragments from wheat are potentially involved in susceptibility to Fusarium head blight. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 22:3. [PMID: 34979923 PMCID: PMC8722339 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-021-03393-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum is a devastating fungal disease of wheat. The mechanism underlying F. graminearum-wheat interaction remains largely unknown. tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are RNase-dependent small RNAs derived from tRNAs, and they have not been reported in wheat yet, and whether tRFs are involved in wheat-F. graminearum interactions remains unknown. RESULTS Herein, small RNAs from the spikelets inoculated with F. graminearum and mock from an FHB-susceptible variety Chinese Spring (CS) and an FHB-resistant variety Sumai3 (SM) were sequenced respectively. A total of 1249 putative tRFs were identified, in which 15 tRFs was CS-specific and 12 SM-specific. Compared with mock inoculation, 39 tRFs were significantly up-regulated across both wheat varieties after F. graminearum challenge and only nine tRFs were significantly down-regulated. tRFGlu, tRFLys and tRFThr were dramatically induced by F. graminearum infection, with significantly higher fold changes in CS than those in SM. The expression patterns of the three highly induced tRFs were further validated by stem-loop qRT-PCR. The accumulation of tRFs were closely related to ribonucleases T2 family members, which were induced by F. graminearum challenge. The tRFs' targets in host were predicted and were validated by RNA sequencing. CONCLUSION Integrative analysis of the differentially expressed tRFs and their candidate targets indicated that tRFGlu, tRFLys and tRFThr might negatively regulate wheat resistance to FHB. Our results unvealed the potential roles of tRFs in wheat-F. graminearum interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengxi Sun
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Jiangsu, Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Collaborative Innovation of Modern Crops and Food Crops in Jiangsu/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Yi Hu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Jiangsu, Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Collaborative Innovation of Modern Crops and Food Crops in Jiangsu/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Yilei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Jiangsu, Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Collaborative Innovation of Modern Crops and Food Crops in Jiangsu/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Jiangsu, Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Collaborative Innovation of Modern Crops and Food Crops in Jiangsu/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Sijia Hu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Jiangsu, Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Collaborative Innovation of Modern Crops and Food Crops in Jiangsu/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Lei Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Jiangsu, Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Collaborative Innovation of Modern Crops and Food Crops in Jiangsu/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Tao Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Jiangsu, Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Collaborative Innovation of Modern Crops and Food Crops in Jiangsu/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
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22
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Wang Y, Weng Q, Ge J, Zhang X, Guo J, Ye G. tRNA-derived small RNAs: mechanisms and potential roles in cancers. Genes Dis 2022; 9:1431-1442. [PMID: 36157501 PMCID: PMC9485285 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2021.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are essential for protein synthesis. Mature or pre-tRNAs may be cleaved to produce tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs). tsRNAs, divided into tRNA-derived stress-induced RNA (tiRNAs) and tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs), play versatile roles in a number of fundamental biological processes. tsRNAs not only play regulatory roles in gene silencing, RNA stability, reverse transcription, and translation, but are also closely related to cell proliferation, migration, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Their abnormal expression is associated with the occurrence and development of various human diseases, especially cancer. This paper reviews the classification, biogenesis, and mechanism of action of tsRNAs, and the research progress to date on tsRNAs in cancers. These findings provide new opportunities for diagnostic biomarkers and treatment targets of several types of cancers including gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinomas, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, thyroid cancer, oral cancer, and leukemia.
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23
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Bakre AA, Duffy C, Abdullah H, Cosby SL, Tripp RA. Small Non-coding RNA Expression Following Respiratory Syncytial Virus or Measles Virus Infection of Neuronal Cells. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:671852. [PMID: 34539595 PMCID: PMC8446675 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.671852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or measles virus (MeV) infection modifies host responses through small non-coding RNA (sncRNA) expression. We show that RSV or MeV infection of neuronal cells induces sncRNAs including various microRNAs and transfer RNA fragments (tRFs). We show that these tRFs originate from select tRNAs (GCC and CAC for glycine, CTT and AAC for Valine, and CCC and TTT for Lysine). Some of the tRNAs are rarely used by RSV or MeV as indicated by relative synonymous codon usage indices suggesting selective cleavage of the tRNAs occurs in infected neuronal cells. The data implies that differentially expressed sncRNAs may regulate host gene expression via multiple mechanisms in neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijeet A Bakre
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Catherine Duffy
- Virology Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Hani'ah Abdullah
- Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - S Louise Cosby
- Virology Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, United Kingdom.,Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Ralph A Tripp
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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24
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Analysis of SINE Families B2, Dip, and Ves with Special Reference to Polyadenylation Signals and Transcription Terminators. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189897. [PMID: 34576060 PMCID: PMC8466645 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Short Interspersed Elements (SINEs) are eukaryotic non-autonomous retrotransposons transcribed by RNA polymerase III (pol III). The 3′-terminus of many mammalian SINEs has a polyadenylation signal (AATAAA), pol III transcription terminator, and A-rich tail. The RNAs of such SINEs can be polyadenylated, which is unique for pol III transcripts. Here, B2 (mice and related rodents), Dip (jerboas), and Ves (vespertilionid bats) SINE families were thoroughly studied. They were divided into subfamilies reliably distinguished by relatively long indels. The age of SINE subfamilies can be estimated, which allows us to reconstruct their evolution. The youngest and most active variants of SINE subfamilies were given special attention. The shortest pol III transcription terminators are TCTTT (B2), TATTT (Ves and Dip), and the rarer TTTT. The last nucleotide of the terminator is often not transcribed; accordingly, the truncated terminator of its descendant becomes nonfunctional. The incidence of complete transcription of the TCTTT terminator is twice higher compared to TTTT and thus functional terminators are more likely preserved in daughter SINE copies. Young copies have long poly(A) tails; however, they gradually shorten in host generations. Unexpectedly, the tail shortening below A10 increases the incidence of terminator elongation by Ts thus restoring its efficiency. This process can be critical for the maintenance of SINE activity in the genome.
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Porter JJ, Heil CS, Lueck JD. Therapeutic promise of engineered nonsense suppressor tRNAs. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2021; 12:e1641. [PMID: 33567469 PMCID: PMC8244042 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Nonsense mutations change an amino acid codon to a premature termination codon (PTC) generally through a single-nucleotide substitution. The generation of a PTC results in a defective truncated protein and often in severe forms of disease. Because of the exceedingly high prevalence of nonsense-associated diseases and a unifying mechanism, there has been a concerted effort to identify PTC therapeutics. Most clinical trials for PTC therapeutics have been conducted with small molecules that promote PTC read through and incorporation of a near-cognate amino acid. However, there is a need for PTC suppression agents that recode PTCs with the correct amino acid while being applicable to PTC mutations in many different genomic landscapes. With these characteristics, a single therapeutic will be able to treat several disease-causing PTCs. In this review, we will focus on the use of nonsense suppression technologies, in particular, suppressor tRNAs (sup-tRNAs), as possible therapeutics for correcting PTCs. Sup-tRNAs have many attractive qualities as possible therapeutic agents although there are knowledge gaps on their function in mammalian cells and technical hurdles that need to be overcome before their promise is realized. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > tRNA Processing Translation > Translation Regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J. Porter
- Department of Pharmacology and PhysiologyUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Christina S. Heil
- Department of Pharmacology and PhysiologyUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - John D. Lueck
- Department of Pharmacology and PhysiologyUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
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26
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Cristodero M, Brogli R, Joss O, Schimanski B, Schneider A, Polacek N. tRNA 3' shortening by LCCR4 as a response to stress in Trypanosoma brucei. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:1647-1661. [PMID: 33406257 PMCID: PMC7897491 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensing of environmental cues is crucial for cell survival. To adapt to changes in their surroundings cells need to tightly control the repertoire of genes expressed at any time. Regulation of translation is key, especially in organisms in which transcription is hardly controlled, like Trypanosoma brucei. In this study, we describe the shortening of the bulk of the cellular tRNAs during stress at the expense of the conserved 3' CCA-tail. This tRNA shortening is specific for nutritional stress and renders tRNAs unsuitable substrates for translation. We uncovered the nuclease LCCR4 (Tb927.4.2430), a homologue of the conserved deadenylase Ccr4, as being responsible for tRNA trimming. Once optimal growth conditions are restored tRNAs are rapidly repaired by the trypanosome tRNA nucleotidyltransferase thus rendering the recycled tRNAs amenable for translation. This mechanism represents a fast and efficient way to repress translation during stress, allowing quick reactivation with a low energy input.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca Brogli
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Joss
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Schimanski
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - André Schneider
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Norbert Polacek
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Norbert Polacek. Tel: +41 031 631 4320;
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Berg MD, Brandl CJ. Transfer RNAs: diversity in form and function. RNA Biol 2021; 18:316-339. [PMID: 32900285 PMCID: PMC7954030 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1809197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
As the adaptor that decodes mRNA sequence into protein, the basic aspects of tRNA structure and function are central to all studies of biology. Yet the complexities of their properties and cellular roles go beyond the view of tRNAs as static participants in protein synthesis. Detailed analyses through more than 60 years of study have revealed tRNAs to be a fascinatingly diverse group of molecules in form and function, impacting cell biology, physiology, disease and synthetic biology. This review analyzes tRNA structure, biosynthesis and function, and includes topics that demonstrate their diversity and growing importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Berg
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
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28
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Mattijssen S, Kozlov G, Fonseca BD, Gehring K, Maraia RJ. LARP1 and LARP4: up close with PABP for mRNA 3' poly(A) protection and stabilization. RNA Biol 2021; 18:259-274. [PMID: 33522422 PMCID: PMC7928012 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1868753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
La-related proteins (LARPs) share a La motif (LaM) followed by an RNA recognition motif (RRM). Together these are termed the La-module that, in the prototypical nuclear La protein and LARP7, mediates binding to the UUU-3'OH termination motif of nascent RNA polymerase III transcripts. We briefly review La and LARP7 activities for RNA 3' end binding and protection from exonucleases before moving to the more recently uncovered poly(A)-related activities of LARP1 and LARP4. Two features shared by LARP1 and LARP4 are direct binding to poly(A) and to the cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding protein (PABP, also known as PABPC1). LARP1, LARP4 and other proteins involved in mRNA translation, deadenylation, and decay, contain PAM2 motifs with variable affinities for the MLLE domain of PABP. We discuss a model in which these PABP-interacting activities contribute to poly(A) pruning of active mRNPs. Evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA virus targets PABP, LARP1, LARP 4 and LARP 4B to control mRNP activity is also briefly reviewed. Recent data suggests that LARP4 opposes deadenylation by stabilizing PABP on mRNA poly(A) tails. Other data suggest that LARP1 can protect mRNA from deadenylation. This is dependent on a PAM2 motif with unique characteristics present in its La-module. Thus, while nuclear La and LARP7 stabilize small RNAs with 3' oligo(U) from decay, LARP1 and LARP4 bind and protect mRNA 3' poly(A) tails from deadenylases through close contact with PABP.Abbreviations: 5'TOP: 5' terminal oligopyrimidine, LaM: La motif, LARP: La-related protein, LARP1: La-related protein 1, MLLE: mademoiselle, NTR: N-terminal region, PABP: cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding protein (PABPC1), Pol III: RNA polymerase III, PAM2: PABP-interacting motif 2, PB: processing body, RRM: RNA recognition motif, SG: stress granule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Mattijssen
- Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Guennadi Kozlov
- Department of Biochemistry & Centre for Structural Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Kalle Gehring
- Department of Biochemistry & Centre for Structural Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Richard J. Maraia
- Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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29
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Ding Y, Zhuo G, Guo Q, Li M. Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: the roles of mitochondrial transfer RNA variants. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10651. [PMID: 33552719 PMCID: PMC7819119 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) was a common maternally inherited disease causing severe and permanent visual loss which mostly affects males. Three primary mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, ND1 3460G>A, ND4 11778G>A and ND6 14484T>C, which affect genes encoding respiratory chain complex I subunit, are responsible for >90% of LHON cases worldwide. Families with maternally transmitted LHON show incomplete penetrance with a male preponderance for visual loss, suggesting the involvement of secondary mtDNA variants and other modifying factors. In particular, variants in mitochondrial tRNA (mt-tRNA) are important risk factors for LHON. These variants decreased the tRNA stability, prevent tRNA aminoacylation, influence the post-transcriptionalmodification and affect tRNA maturation. Failure of mt-tRNA metabolism subsequently impairs protein synthesis and expression, folding, and function of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) enzymes, which aggravates mitochondrial dysfunction that is involved in the progression and pathogenesis of LHON. This review summarizes the recent advances in our understanding of mt-tRNA biology and function, as well as the reported LHON-related mt-tRNA second variants; it also discusses the molecular mechanism behind the involvement of these variants in LHON.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ding
- Central laboratory, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guangchao Zhuo
- Central laboratory, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qinxian Guo
- Central laboratory, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Meiya Li
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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30
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Cao J, Cowan DB, Wang DZ. tRNA-Derived Small RNAs and Their Potential Roles in Cardiac Hypertrophy. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:572941. [PMID: 33041815 PMCID: PMC7527594 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.572941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are abundantly expressed, small non-coding RNAs that have long been recognized as essential components of the protein translation machinery. The tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), including tRNA halves (tiRNAs), and tRNA fragments (tRFs), were unexpectedly discovered and have been implicated in a variety of important biological functions such as cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and apoptosis. Mechanistically, tsRNAs regulate mRNA destabilization and translation, as well as retro-element reverse transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes. Emerging evidence has shown that tsRNAs are expressed in the heart, and their expression can be induced by pathological stress, such as hypertrophy. Interestingly, cardiac pathophysiological conditions, such as oxidative stress, aging, and metabolic disorders can be viewed as inducers of tsRNA biogenesis, which further highlights the potential involvement of tsRNAs in these conditions. There is increasing enthusiasm for investigating the molecular and biological functions of tsRNAs in the heart and their role in cardiovascular disease. It is anticipated that this new class of small non-coding RNAs will offer new perspectives in understanding disease mechanisms and may provide new therapeutic targets to treat cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Cao
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Douglas B Cowan
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Da-Zhi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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31
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Crystal Structure of a Variant PAM2 Motif of LARP4B Bound to the MLLE Domain of PABPC1. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10060872. [PMID: 32517187 PMCID: PMC7356810 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells determine the protein output of their genetic program by regulating mRNA transcription, localization, translation and turnover rates. This regulation is accomplished by an ensemble of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that bind to any given mRNA, thus forming mRNPs. Poly(A) binding proteins (PABPs) are prominent members of virtually all mRNPs that possess poly(A) tails. They serve as multifunctional scaffolds, allowing the recruitment of diverse factors containing a poly(A)-interacting motif (PAM) into mRNPs. We present the crystal structure of the variant PAM motif (termed PAM2w) in the N-terminal part of the positive translation factor LARP4B, which binds to the MLLE domain of the poly(A) binding protein C1 cytoplasmic 1 (PABPC1). The structural analysis, along with mutational studies in vitro and in vivo, uncovered a new mode of interaction between PAM2 motifs and MLLE domains.
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32
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Zeng T, Hua Y, Sun C, Zhang Y, Yang F, Yang M, Yang Y, Li J, Huang X, Wu H, Fu Z, Li W, Yin Y. Relationship between tRNA-derived fragments and human cancers. Int J Cancer 2020; 147:3007-3018. [PMID: 32427348 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
tRNA-derived fragments, a class of small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs), have been identified in numerous studies in recent years. tRNA-derived fragments are classified into two main groups, including tRNA halves (tiRNAs) and tRNA-derived small RNA fragments (tRFs), according to different cleavage positions of the precursor or mature tRNAs. Instead of random tRNA degradation debris, a growing body of evidence has shown that tRNA-derived fragments are precise products of specific tRNA modifications and play important roles in biological activities, such as regulating protein translation, affecting gene expression, and altering immune signaling. Recently, the relations between tRNA-derived fragments and the occurrence of human diseases, especially cancers, have generated wide interest. It has been demonstrated that tRNA-derived fragments are involved in cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, progression and survival. In this review, we will describe the biogenesis of tRNA-derived fragments, the distinct expression and function of tRNA-derived fragments in the development of cancers, and their emerging roles as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and precise targets of future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Zeng
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yijia Hua
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunxiao Sun
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuchen Zhang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengzhu Yang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yiqi Yang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang Huang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziyi Fu
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Medical Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongmei Yin
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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33
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Long Noncoding RNAs Involved in the Endocrine Therapy Resistance of Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061424. [PMID: 32486413 PMCID: PMC7353012 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are defined as RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides that do not encode proteins. Recent studies have demonstrated that numerous lncRNAs are expressed in humans and play key roles in the development of various types of cancers. Intriguingly, some lncRNAs have been demonstrated to be involved in endocrine therapy resistance for breast cancer through their own mechanisms, suggesting that lncRNAs could be promising new biomarkers and therapeutic targets of breast cancer. Here, we summarize the functions and mechanisms of lncRNAs related to the endocrine therapy resistance of breast cancer.
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34
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Janin M, Coll-SanMartin L, Esteller M. Disruption of the RNA modifications that target the ribosome translation machinery in human cancer. Mol Cancer 2020; 19:70. [PMID: 32241281 PMCID: PMC7114786 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01192-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic and epigenetic changes deregulate RNA and protein expression in cancer cells. In this regard, tumors exhibit an abnormal proteome in comparison to the corresponding normal tissues. Translation control is a crucial step in the regulation of gene expression regulation under normal and pathological conditions that ultimately determines cellular fate. In this context, evidence shows that transfer and ribosomal RNA (tRNA and rRNA) modifications affect the efficacy and fidelity of translation. The number of RNA modifications increases with the complexity of organisms, suggesting an evolutionary diversification of the possibilities for fine-tuning the functions of coding and non-coding RNAs. In this review, we focus on alterations of modifications of transfer and ribosomal RNA that affect translation in human cancer. This variation in the RNA modification status can be the result of altered modifier expression (writers, readers or erasers), but also due to components of the machineries (C/D or H/ACA boxes) or alterations of proteins involved in modifier expression. Broadening our understanding of the mechanisms by which site-specific modifications modulate ribosome activity in the context of tumorigenesis will enable us to enrich our knowledge about how ribosomes can influence cell fate and form the basis of new therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Janin
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Laia Coll-SanMartin
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
- Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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35
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Shikha S, Schneider A. The single CCA-adding enzyme of T. brucei has distinct functions in the cytosol and in mitochondria. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:6138-6150. [PMID: 32234763 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
tRNAs universally carry a CCA nucleotide triplet at their 3'-ends. In eukaryotes, the CCA is added post-transcriptionally by the CCA-adding enzyme (CAE). The mitochondrion of the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei lacks tRNA genes and therefore imports all of its tRNAs from the cytosol. This has generated interest in the tRNA modifications and their distribution in this organism, including how CCA is added to tRNAs. Here, using a BLAST search for genes encoding putative CAE proteins in T. brucei, we identified a single ORF, Tb927.9.8780, as a potential candidate. Knockdown of this putative protein, termed TbCAE, resulted in the accumulation of truncated tRNAs, abolished translation, and inhibited both total and mitochondrial CCA-adding activities, indicating that TbCAE is located both in the cytosol and mitochondrion. However, mitochondrially localized tRNAs were much less affected by the TbCAE ablation than the other tRNAs. Complementation assays revealed that the N-terminal 10 amino acids of TbCAE are dispensable for its activity and mitochondrial localization and that deletion of 10 further amino acids abolishes both. A growth arrest caused by the TbCAE knockdown was rescued by the expression of the cytosolic isoform of yeast CAE, even though it was not imported into mitochondria. This finding indicated that the yeast enzyme complements the essential function of TbCAE by adding CCA to the primary tRNA transcripts. Of note, ablation of the mitochondrial TbCAE activity, which likely has a repair function, only marginally affected growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Shikha
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland
| | - André Schneider
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland.
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36
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Qin C, Xu PP, Zhang X, Zhang C, Liu CB, Yang DG, Gao F, Yang ML, Du LJ, Li JJ. Pathological significance of tRNA-derived small RNAs in neurological disorders. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:212-221. [PMID: 31552886 PMCID: PMC6905339 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.265560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a type of RNA that is not translated into proteins. Transfer RNAs (tRNAs), a type of ncRNA, are the second most abundant type of RNA in cells. Recent studies have shown that tRNAs can be cleaved into a heterogeneous population of ncRNAs with lengths of 18–40 nucleotides, known as tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs). There are two main types of tsRNA, based on their length and the number of cleavage sites that they contain: tRNA-derived fragments and tRNA-derived stress-induced RNAs. These RNA species were first considered to be byproducts of tRNA random cleavage. However, mounting evidence has demonstrated their critical functional roles as regulatory factors in the pathophysiological processes of various diseases, including neurological diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms by which tsRNAs affect specific cellular processes are largely unknown. Therefore, this study comprehensively summarizes the following points: (1) The biogenetics of tsRNA, including their discovery, classification, formation, and the roles of key enzymes. (2) The main biological functions of tsRNA, including its miRNA-like roles in gene expression regulation, protein translation regulation, regulation of various cellular activities, immune mediation, and response to stress. (3) The potential mechanisms of pathophysiological changes in neurological diseases that are regulated by tsRNA, including neurodegeneration and neurotrauma. (4) The identification of the functional diversity of tsRNA may provide valuable information regarding the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of neurological disorders, thus providing a new reference for the clinical treatment of neurological diseases. Research into tsRNAs in neurological diseases also has the following challenges: potential function and mechanism studies, how to accurately quantify expression, and the exact relationship between tsRNA and miRNA. These challenges require future research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Qin
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Pei-Pei Xu
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Chang-Bin Liu
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - De-Gang Yang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Gao
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-Liang Yang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Liang-Jie Du
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Jun Li
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; Department of Spinal and Neural Functional Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
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Cosentino C, Cnop M, Igoillo-Esteve M. The tRNA Epitranscriptome and Diabetes: Emergence of tRNA Hypomodifications as a Cause of Pancreatic β-Cell Failure. Endocrinology 2019; 160:1262-1274. [PMID: 30907926 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
tRNAs are crucial noncoding RNA molecules that serve as amino acid carriers during protein synthesis. The transcription of tRNA genes is a highly regulated process. The tRNA pool is tissue and cell specific, it varies during development, and it is modulated by the environment. tRNAs are highly posttranscriptionally modified by specific tRNA-modifying enzymes. The tRNA modification signature of a cell determines the tRNA epitranscriptome. Perturbations in the tRNA epitranscriptome, as a consequence of mutations in tRNAs and tRNA-modifying enzymes or environmental exposure, have been associated with human disease, including diabetes. tRNA fragmentation induced by impaired tRNA modifications or dietary factors has been linked to pancreatic β-cell demise and paternal inheritance of metabolic traits. Herein, we review recent findings that associate tRNA epitranscriptome perturbations with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Cosentino
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Miriam Cnop
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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38
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Watson CN, Belli A, Di Pietro V. Small Non-coding RNAs: New Class of Biomarkers and Potential Therapeutic Targets in Neurodegenerative Disease. Front Genet 2019; 10:364. [PMID: 31080456 PMCID: PMC6497742 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are becoming increasingly prevalent in the world, with an aging population. In the last few decades, due to the devastating nature of these diseases, the research of biomarkers has become crucial to enable adequate treatments and to monitor the progress of disease. Currently, gene mutations, CSF and blood protein markers together with the neuroimaging techniques are the most used diagnostic approaches. However, despite the efforts in the research, conflicting data still exist, highlighting the need to explore new classes of biomarkers, particularly at early stages. Small non-coding RNAs (MicroRNA, Small nuclear RNA, Small nucleolar RNA, tRNA derived small RNA and Piwi-interacting RNA) can be considered a "relatively" new class of molecule that have already proved to be differentially regulated in many NDs, hence they represent a new potential class of biomarkers to be explored. In addition, understanding their involvement in disease development could depict the underlying pathogenesis of particular NDs, so novel treatment methods that act earlier in disease progression can be developed. This review aims to describe the involvement of small non-coding RNAs as biomarkers of NDs and their potential role in future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callum N. Watson
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Belli
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Valentina Di Pietro
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
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Tuorto F, Parlato R. rRNA and tRNA Bridges to Neuronal Homeostasis in Health and Disease. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:1763-1779. [PMID: 30876917 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of protein translation is emerging as a unifying mechanism in the pathogenesis of many neuronal disorders. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA) are structural molecules that have complementary and coordinated functions in protein synthesis. Defects in both rRNAs and tRNAs have been described in mammalian brain development, neurological syndromes, and neurodegeneration. In this review, we present the molecular mechanisms that link aberrant rRNA and tRNA transcription, processing and modifications to translation deficits, and neuropathogenesis. We also discuss the interdependence of rRNA and tRNA biosynthesis and how their metabolism brings together proteotoxic stress and impaired neuronal homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Tuorto
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Rosanna Parlato
- Institute of Applied Physiology, University of Ulm, Albert Einstein Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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40
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Abstract
RNA-binding proteins chaperone the biological functions of noncoding RNA by reducing RNA misfolding, improving matchmaking between regulatory RNA and targets, and exerting quality control over RNP biogenesis. Recent studies of Escherichia coli CspA, HIV NCp, and E. coli Hfq are beginning to show how RNA-binding proteins remodel RNA structures. These different protein families use common strategies for disrupting or annealing RNA double helices, which can be used to understand the mechanisms by which proteins chaperone RNA-dependent regulation in bacteria.
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41
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Shang J, Wu L, Yang Y, Li Y, Liu Z, Huang Y. Overexpression of Schizosaccharomyces pombe tRNA 3′-end processing enzyme Trz2 leads to an increased cellular iron level and apoptotic cell death. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 122:11-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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42
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Wu J, Niu S, Tan M, Huang C, Li M, Song Y, Wang Q, Chen J, Shi S, Lan P, Lei M. Cryo-EM Structure of the Human Ribonuclease P Holoenzyme. Cell 2018; 175:1393-1404.e11. [PMID: 30454648 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ribonuclease (RNase) P is a ubiquitous ribozyme that cleaves the 5' leader from precursor tRNAs. Here, we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of the human nuclear RNase P alone and in complex with tRNAVal. Human RNase P is a large ribonucleoprotein complex that contains 10 protein components and one catalytic RNA. The protein components form an interlocked clamp that stabilizes the RNA in a conformation optimal for substrate binding. Human RNase P recognizes the tRNA using a double-anchor mechanism through both protein-RNA and RNA-RNA interactions. Structural comparison of the apo and tRNA-bound human RNase P reveals that binding of tRNA induces a local conformational change in the catalytic center, transforming the ribozyme into an active state. Our results also provide an evolutionary model depicting how auxiliary RNA elements in bacterial RNase P, essential for substrate binding, and catalysis, were replaced by the much more complex and multifunctional protein components in higher organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Shuangshuang Niu
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ming Tan
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Chenhui Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Mingyue Li
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yang Song
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Qianmin Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Juan Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Shaohua Shi
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Pengfei Lan
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China.
| | - Ming Lei
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China; Key laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China.
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43
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Lan P, Tan M, Zhang Y, Niu S, Chen J, Shi S, Qiu S, Wang X, Peng X, Cai G, Cheng H, Wu J, Li G, Lei M. Structural insight into precursor tRNA processing by yeast ribonuclease P. Science 2018; 362:science.aat6678. [PMID: 30262633 DOI: 10.1126/science.aat6678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is a universal ribozyme responsible for processing the 5'-leader of pre-transfer RNA (pre-tRNA). Here, we report the 3.5-angstrom cryo-electron microscopy structures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNase P alone and in complex with pre-tRNAPhe The protein components form a hook-shaped architecture that wraps around the RNA and stabilizes RNase P into a "measuring device" with two fixed anchors that recognize the L-shaped pre-tRNA. A universally conserved uridine nucleobase and phosphate backbone in the catalytic center together with the scissile phosphate and the O3' leaving group of pre-tRNA jointly coordinate two catalytic magnesium ions. Binding of pre-tRNA induces a conformational change in the catalytic center that is required for catalysis. Moreover, simulation analysis suggests a two-metal-ion SN2 reaction pathway of pre-tRNA cleavage. These results not only reveal the architecture of yeast RNase P but also provide a molecular basis of how the 5'-leader of pre-tRNA is processed by eukaryotic RNase P.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Lan
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Ming Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yuebin Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Shuangshuang Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS, Shanghai 200031, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Juan Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Shaohua Shi
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Shuwan Qiu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Xuejuan Wang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Xiangda Peng
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Gang Cai
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Hong Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China.
| | - Guohui Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, Dalian 116023, China.
| | - Ming Lei
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China. .,Key laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai, 201210, China.,Shanghai Science Research Center, CAS, Shanghai, 201204, China
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44
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Thornlow BP, Hough J, Roger JM, Gong H, Lowe TM, Corbett-Detig RB. Transfer RNA genes experience exceptionally elevated mutation rates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:8996-9001. [PMID: 30127029 PMCID: PMC6130373 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1801240115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are a central component for the biological synthesis of proteins, and they are among the most highly conserved and frequently transcribed genes in all living things. Despite their clear significance for fundamental cellular processes, the forces governing tRNA evolution are poorly understood. We present evidence that transcription-associated mutagenesis and strong purifying selection are key determinants of patterns of sequence variation within and surrounding tRNA genes in humans and diverse model organisms. Remarkably, the mutation rate at broadly expressed cytosolic tRNA loci is likely between 7 and 10 times greater than the nuclear genome average. Furthermore, evolutionary analyses provide strong evidence that tRNA genes, but not their flanking sequences, experience strong purifying selection acting against this elevated mutation rate. We also find a strong correlation between tRNA expression levels and the mutation rates in their immediate flanking regions, suggesting a simple method for estimating individual tRNA gene activity. Collectively, this study illuminates the extreme competing forces in tRNA gene evolution and indicates that mutations at tRNA loci contribute disproportionately to mutational load and have unexplored fitness consequences in human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan P Thornlow
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
| | - Josh Hough
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
| | - Jacquelyn M Roger
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
| | - Henry Gong
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
| | - Todd M Lowe
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064;
- Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
| | - Russell B Corbett-Detig
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064;
- Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
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45
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Siira SJ, Rossetti G, Richman TR, Perks K, Ermer JA, Kuznetsova I, Hughes L, Shearwood AMJ, Viola HM, Hool LC, Rackham O, Filipovska A. Concerted regulation of mitochondrial and nuclear non-coding RNAs by a dual-targeted RNase Z. EMBO Rep 2018; 19:embr.201846198. [PMID: 30126926 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201846198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular roles of the dually targeted ElaC domain protein 2 (ELAC2) during nuclear and mitochondrial RNA processing in vivo have not been distinguished. We generated conditional knockout mice of ELAC2 to identify that it is essential for life and its activity is non-redundant. Heart and skeletal muscle-specific loss of ELAC2 causes dilated cardiomyopathy and premature death at 4 weeks. Transcriptome-wide analyses of total RNAs, small RNAs, mitochondrial RNAs, and miRNAs identified the molecular targets of ELAC2 in vivo We show that ELAC2 is required for processing of tRNAs and for the balanced maintenance of C/D box snoRNAs, miRNAs, and a new class of tRNA fragments. We identify that correct biogenesis of regulatory non-coding RNAs is essential for both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial protein synthesis and the assembly of mitochondrial ribosomes and cytoplasmic polysomes. We show that nuclear tRNA processing is required for the balanced production of snoRNAs and miRNAs for gene expression and that 3' tRNA processing is an essential step in the production of all mature mitochondrial RNAs and the majority of nuclear tRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan J Siira
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Giulia Rossetti
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Tara R Richman
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Kara Perks
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Judith A Ermer
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Irina Kuznetsova
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Laetitia Hughes
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Anne-Marie J Shearwood
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Helena M Viola
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Livia C Hool
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,School of Human Sciences (Physiology), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Oliver Rackham
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Aleksandra Filipovska
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia .,School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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46
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Li S, Xu Z, Sheng J. tRNA-Derived Small RNA: A Novel Regulatory Small Non-Coding RNA. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E246. [PMID: 29748504 PMCID: PMC5977186 DOI: 10.3390/genes9050246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Deep analysis of next-generation sequencing data unveils numerous small non-coding RNAs with distinct functions. Recently, fragments derived from tRNA, named as tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA), have attracted broad attention. There are mainly two types of tsRNAs, including tRNA-derived stress-induced RNA (tiRNA) and tRNA-derived fragment (tRF), which differ in the cleavage position of the precursor or mature tRNA transcript. Emerging evidence has shown that tsRNAs are not merely tRNA degradation debris but have been recognized to play regulatory roles in many specific physiological and pathological processes. In this review, we summarize the biogeneses of various tsRNAs, present the emerging concepts regarding functions and mechanisms of action of tsRNAs, highlight the potential application of tsRNAs in human diseases, and put forward the current problems and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Li
- Institute of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Zhengping Xu
- Institute of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Jinghao Sheng
- Institute of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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47
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Arimbasseri GA. Interactions between RNAP III transcription machinery and tRNA processing factors. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1861:354-360. [PMID: 29428193 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotes have at least three nuclear RNA polymerases to carry out transcription. While RNA polymerases I and II are responsible for ribosomal RNA transcription and messenger RNA transcription, respectively, RNA Polymerase III transcribes approximately up to 300 nt long noncoding RNAs, including tRNA. For all three RNAPs, the nascent transcripts generated undergo extensive post-transcriptional processing. Transcription of mRNAs by RNAP II and their processing are coupled with the aid of the C-terminal domain of the RNAP II. RNAP I transcription and the processing of its transcripts are co-localized to the nucleolus and to some extent, rRNA processing occurs co-transcriptionally. Here, I review the current evidence for the interaction between tRNA processing factors and RNA polymerase III. These interactions include the moonlighting functions of tRNA processing factors in RNAP III transcription and the indirect effect of tRNA transcription levels on tRNA modification machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Aneeshkumar Arimbasseri
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India.
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48
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Blewett NH, Maraia RJ. La involvement in tRNA and other RNA processing events including differences among yeast and other eukaryotes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1861:361-372. [PMID: 29397330 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The conserved nuclear RNA-binding factor known as La protein arose in an ancient eukaryote, phylogenetically associated with another eukaryotic hallmark, synthesis of tRNA by RNA polymerase III (RNAP III). Because 3'-oligo(U) is the sequence-specific signal for transcription termination by RNAP III as well as the high affinity binding site for La, the latter is linked to the intranuclear posttranscriptional processing of eukaryotic precursor-tRNAs. The pre-tRNA processing pathway must accommodate a variety of substrates that are destined for both common steps as well as tRNA-specific events. The order of intranuclear pre-tRNA processing steps is mediated in part by three activities derived from interaction with La protein: 3'-end protection from untimely decay by 3' exonucleases, nuclear retention and chaperone activity that helps prevent pre-tRNA misfolding and mischanneling into offline pathways. A focus of this perspective will be on differences between yeast and mammals in the subcellular partitioning of pre-tRNA intermediates and differential interactions with La. We review how this is most relevant to pre-tRNA splicing which occurs in the cytoplasm of yeasts but in nuclei of higher eukaryotes. Also divergent is La architecture, comprised of three RNA-binding domains in organisms in all examined branches of the eukaryal tree except yeast, which have lost the C-terminal RNA recognition motif-2α (RRM2α) domain. We also review emerging data that suggest mammalian La interacts with nuclear pre-tRNA splicing intermediates and may impact this branch of the tRNA maturation pathway. Finally, because La is involved in intranuclear tRNA biogenesis we review relevant aspects of tRNA-associated neurodegenerative diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: SI: Regulation of tRNA synthesis and modification in physiological conditions and disease edited by Dr. Boguta Magdalena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan H Blewett
- Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard J Maraia
- Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Commissioned Corps, U.S. Public Health Service, Rockville, MD, USA.
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49
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Willis IM, Moir RD. Signaling to and from the RNA Polymerase III Transcription and Processing Machinery. Annu Rev Biochem 2018; 87:75-100. [PMID: 29328783 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biochem-062917-012624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
RNA polymerase (Pol) III has a specialized role in transcribing the most abundant RNAs in eukaryotic cells, transfer RNAs (tRNAs), along with other ubiquitous small noncoding RNAs, many of which have functions related to the ribosome and protein synthesis. The high energetic cost of producing these RNAs and their central role in protein synthesis underlie the robust regulation of Pol III transcription in response to nutrients and stress by growth regulatory pathways. Downstream of Pol III, signaling impacts posttranscriptional processes affecting tRNA function in translation and tRNA cleavage into smaller fragments that are increasingly attributed with novel cellular activities. In this review, we consider how nutrients and stress control Pol III transcription via its factors and its negative regulator, Maf1. We highlight recent work showing that the composition of the tRNA population and the function of individual tRNAs is dynamically controlled and that unrestrained Pol III transcription can reprogram central metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M Willis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA; , .,Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - Robyn D Moir
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA; ,
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50
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Gao Z, Herrera-Carrillo E, Berkhout B. Delineation of the Exact Transcription Termination Signal for Type 3 Polymerase III. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 10:36-44. [PMID: 29499947 PMCID: PMC5725217 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Type 3 Pol III promoters such as U6 are widely used for expression of small RNAs, including short hairpin RNA for RNAi applications and guide RNA in CRISPR genome-editing platforms. RNA polymerase III uses a T-stretch as termination signal, but the exact properties have not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we systematically measured the in vivo termination efficiency and the actual site of termination for different T-stretch signals in three commonly used human Pol III promoters (U6, 7SK, and H1). Both the termination efficiency and the actual termination site depend on the T-stretch signal. The T4 signal acts as minimal terminator, but full termination efficiency is reached only with a T-stretch of ≥6. The termination site within the T-stretch is quite heterogeneous, and consequently small RNAs have a variable U-tail of 1–6 nucleotides. We further report that such variable U-tails can have a significant negative effect on the functionality of the crRNA effector of the CRISPR-AsCpf1 system. We next improved these crRNAs by insertion of the HDV ribozyme to avoid U-tails. This study provides detailed design guidelines for small RNA expression cassettes based on Pol III.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongliang Gao
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elena Herrera-Carrillo
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ben Berkhout
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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