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Tijaro-Bulla S, Nyandwi SP, Cui H. Physiological and engineered tRNA aminoacylation. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1789. [PMID: 37042417 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases form the protein family that controls the interpretation of the genetic code, with tRNA aminoacylation being the key chemical step during which an amino acid is assigned to a corresponding sequence of nucleic acids. In consequence, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases have been studied in their physiological context, in disease states, and as tools for synthetic biology to enable the expansion of the genetic code. Here, we review the fundamentals of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase biology and classification, with a focus on mammalian cytoplasmic enzymes. We compile evidence that the localization of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases can be critical in health and disease. In addition, we discuss evidence from synthetic biology which made use of the importance of subcellular localization for efficient manipulation of the protein synthesis machinery. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing Translation > Translation Regulation RNA Processing > tRNA Processing RNA Export and Localization > RNA Localization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Haissi Cui
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2
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Piper JA, Al Hammouri N, Jansen MI, Rodgers KJ, Musumeci G, Dhungana A, Ghorbanpour SM, Bradfield LA, Castorina A. L-Proline Prevents Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Microglial Cells Exposed to L-azetidine-2-carboxylic Acid. Molecules 2023; 28:4808. [PMID: 37375363 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124808] [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: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
L-Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (AZE) is a non-protein amino acid that shares structural similarities with its proteogenic L-proline amino acid counterpart. For this reason, AZE can be misincorporated in place of L-proline, contributing to AZE toxicity. In previous work, we have shown that AZE induces both polarization and apoptosis in BV2 microglial cells. However, it is still unknown if these detrimental effects involve endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and whether L-proline co-administration prevents AZE-induced damage to microglia. Here, we investigated the gene expression of ER stress markers in BV2 microglial cells treated with AZE alone (1000 µM), or co-treated with L-proline (50 µM), for 6 or 24 h. AZE reduced cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) secretion and caused a robust activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) genes (ATF4, ATF6, ERN1, PERK, XBP1, DDIT3, GADD34). These results were confirmed by immunofluorescence in BV2 and primary microglial cultures. AZE also altered the expression of microglial M1 phenotypic markers (increased IL-6, decreased CD206 and TREM2 expression). These effects were almost completely prevented upon L-proline co-administration. Finally, triple/quadrupole mass spectrometry demonstrated a robust increase in AZE-bound proteins after AZE treatment, which was reduced by 84% upon L-proline co-supplementation. This study identified ER stress as a pathogenic mechanism for AZE-induced microglial activation and death, which is reversed by co-administration of L-proline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Allan Piper
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (LCMN), School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Nour Al Hammouri
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (LCMN), School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Margo Iris Jansen
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (LCMN), School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Kenneth J Rodgers
- Neurotoxin Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Musumeci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Anatomy, Histology and Movement Science, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia n°97, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Amolika Dhungana
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Sahar Masoumeh Ghorbanpour
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Laura A Bradfield
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Alessandro Castorina
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (LCMN), School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
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3
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Fry M. Ontologically simple theories do not indicate the true nature of complex biological systems: three test cases. HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 42:17. [PMID: 32346811 DOI: 10.1007/s40656-020-00310-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A longstanding philosophical premise perceives simplicity as a desirable attribute of scientific theories. One of several raised justifications for this notion is that simple theories are more likely to indicate the true makeup of natural systems. Qualitatively parsimonious hypotheses and theories keep to a minimum the number of different postulated entities within a system. Formulation of such ontologically simple working hypotheses proved to be useful in the experimental probing of narrowly defined bio systems. It is less certain, however, whether qualitatively parsimonious theories are effective indicators of the true nature of complex biological systems. This paper assesses the success of ontologically simple theories in envisaging the makeup of three complex systems in bacteriology, immunology, and molecular biology. Evidence shows that parsimonious theories completely misconstrued the actual ontologically complex constitutions of the three examined systems. Since evolution and selective pressures typically produce ontologically intricate rather than simple bio systems, qualitatively parsimonious theories are mostly inapt indicators of the true nature of complex biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Fry
- Department of Biochemistry, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, POB 9649, 31096, Bat Galim, Haifa, Israel.
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4
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Berg MD, Giguere DJ, Dron JS, Lant JT, Genereaux J, Liao C, Wang J, Robinson JF, Gloor GB, Hegele RA, O'Donoghue P, Brandl CJ. Targeted sequencing reveals expanded genetic diversity of human transfer RNAs. RNA Biol 2019; 16:1574-1585. [PMID: 31407949 PMCID: PMC6779403 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2019.1646079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transfer RNAs are required to translate genetic information into proteins as well as regulate other cellular processes. Nucleotide changes in tRNAs can result in loss or gain of function that impact the composition and fidelity of the proteome. Despite links between tRNA variation and disease, the importance of cytoplasmic tRNA variation has been overlooked. Using a custom capture panel, we sequenced 605 human tRNA-encoding genes from 84 individuals. We developed a bioinformatic pipeline that allows more accurate tRNA read mapping and identifies multiple polymorphisms occurring within the same variant. Our analysis identified 522 unique tRNA-encoding sequences that differed from the reference genome from 84 individuals. Each individual had ~66 tRNA variants including nine variants found in less than 5% of our sample group. Variants were identified throughout the tRNA structure with 17% predicted to enhance function. Eighteen anticodon mutants were identified including potentially mistranslating tRNAs; e.g., a tRNASer that decodes Phe codons. Similar engineered tRNA variants were previously shown to inhibit cell growth, increase apoptosis and induce the unfolded protein response in mammalian cell cultures and chick embryos. Our analysis shows that human tRNA variation has been underestimated. We conclude that the large number of tRNA genes provides a buffer enabling the emergence of variants, some of which could contribute to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Berg
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada
| | - Daniel J Giguere
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada
| | - Jacqueline S Dron
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada
| | - Jeremy T Lant
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada
| | - Julie Genereaux
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada
| | - Calwing Liao
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada
| | - Jian Wang
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada
| | - John F Robinson
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada
| | - Gregory B Gloor
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada
| | - Robert A Hegele
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada.,Department of Medicine, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada
| | - Patrick O'Donoghue
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada.,Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada
| | - Christopher J Brandl
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario , London , ON , Canada
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5
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Lee YH, Lo YT, Chang CP, Yeh CS, Chang TH, Chen YW, Tseng YK, Wang CC. Naturally occurring dual recognition of tRNA His substrates with and without a universal identity element. RNA Biol 2019; 16:1275-1285. [PMID: 31179821 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2019.1626663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The extra 5' guanine nucleotide (G-1) on tRNAHis is a nearly universal feature that specifies tRNAHis identity. The G-1 residue is either genome encoded or post-transcriptionally added by tRNAHis guanylyltransferase (Thg1). Despite Caenorhabditis elegans being a Thg1-independent organism, its cytoplasmic tRNAHis (CetRNAnHis) retains a genome-encoded G-1. Our study showed that this eukaryote possesses a histidyl-tRNA synthetase (CeHisRS) gene encoding two distinct HisRS isoforms that differ only at their N-termini. Most interestingly, its mitochondrial tRNAHis (CetRNAmHis) lacks G-1, a scenario never observed in any organelle. This tRNA, while lacking the canonical identity element, can still be efficiently aminoacylated in vivo. Even so, addition of G-1 to CetRNAmHis strongly enhanced its aminoacylation efficiency in vitro. Overexpression of CeHisRS successfully bypassed the requirement for yeast THG1 in the presence of CetRNAnHis without G-1. Mutagenesis assays showed that the anticodon takes a primary role in CetRNAHis identity recognition, being comparable to the universal identity element. Consequently, simultaneous introduction of both G-1 and the anticodon of tRNAHis effectively converted a non-cognate tRNA to a tRNAHis-like substrate. Our study suggests that a new balance between identity elements of tRNAHis relieves HisRS from the absolute requirement for G-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hsueh Lee
- a Department of Life Sciences, National Central University , Taoyuan , Taiwan
| | - Ya-Ting Lo
- a Department of Life Sciences, National Central University , Taoyuan , Taiwan
| | - Chia-Pei Chang
- a Department of Life Sciences, National Central University , Taoyuan , Taiwan
| | - Chung-Shu Yeh
- b Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan
| | | | - Yu-Wei Chen
- c Department of Neurology, Landseed International Hospital , Taoyuan , Taiwan
| | - Yi-Kuan Tseng
- d Graduate Institute of Statistics, National Central University , Taoyuan , Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chia Wang
- a Department of Life Sciences, National Central University , Taoyuan , Taiwan
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6
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Florentz C, Giegé R. History of tRNA research in strasbourg. IUBMB Life 2019; 71:1066-1087. [PMID: 31185141 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The tRNA molecules, in addition to translating the genetic code into protein and defining the second genetic code via their aminoacylation by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, act in many other cellular functions and dysfunctions. This article, illustrated by personal souvenirs, covers the history of ~60 years tRNA research in Strasbourg. Typical examples point up how the work in Strasbourg was a two-way street, influenced by and at the same time influencing investigators outside of France. All along, research in Strasbourg has nurtured the structural and functional diversity of tRNA. It produced massive sequence and crystallographic data on tRNA and its partners, thereby leading to a deeper physicochemical understanding of tRNA architecture, dynamics, and identity. Moreover, it emphasized the role of nucleoside modifications and in the last two decades, highlighted tRNA idiosyncrasies in plants and organelles, together with cellular and health-focused aspects. The tRNA field benefited from a rich local academic heritage and a strong support by both university and CNRS. Its broad interlinks to the worldwide community of tRNA researchers opens to an exciting future. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 2019 © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(8):1066-1087, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Florentz
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS and Université de Strasbourg, F-67084, 15 rue René Descartes, Strasbourg, France.,Direction de la Recherche et de la Valorisation, Université de Strasbourg, F-67084, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, Strasbourg, France
| | - Richard Giegé
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS and Université de Strasbourg, F-67084, 15 rue René Descartes, Strasbourg, France
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7
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Gao P, Li N, Ji K, Wang Y, Xu C, Liu Y, Wang Q, Wang J, He N, Sun Z, Du L, Liu Q. Resveratrol targets TyrRS acetylation to protect against radiation-induced damage. FASEB J 2019; 33:8083-8093. [PMID: 30939244 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802474rr] [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] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Resveratrol (RSV) has broad prospective applications as a radiation protection drug, but its mechanism of action is not yet clear. Here, we found that 5 μM RSV can effectively reduce the cell death caused by irradiation. Irradiation leads to G2/M phase arrest in the cell cycle, whereas RSV treatment increases S-phase cell cycle arrest, which is associated with sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) regulation. Meanwhile, RSV promotes DNA damage repair, mainly by accelerating the efficiency of homologous recombination repair. Under oxidative stress, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) is transported to the nucleus to protect against DNA damage. RSV can promote TyrRS acetylation, thus promoting TyrRS to enter the nucleus, where it regulates the relevant signaling proteins and reduces apoptosis and DNA damage. SIRT1 is a deacetylase, and SIRT1 knockdown or inhibition can increase TyrRS acetylation levels, further reducing radiation-induced apoptosis after RSV treatment. Our study revealed a new radiation protection mechanism for RSV, in which the acetylation of TyrRS and its translocation into the nucleus is promoted, and this mechanism may also represent a novel protective target against irradiation.-Gao, P., Li, N., Ji, K., Wang, Y., Xu, C., Liu, Y., Wang, Q., Wang, J., He, N., Sun, Z., Du, L., Liu, Q. Resveratrol targets TyrRS acetylation to protect against radiation-induced damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piaoyang Gao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Na Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Kaihua Ji
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Chang Xu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Jihan Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Ningning He
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhijuan Sun
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Liqing Du
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
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8
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Kuang M, Zheng D, Tao X, Peng Y, Pan Y, Zheng S, Zhang Y, Li H, Yuan C, Zhang Y, Xiang J, Li Y, Chen H, Sun Y. tRNA-based prognostic score in predicting survival outcomes of lung adenocarcinomas. Int J Cancer 2019; 145:1982-1990. [PMID: 30838640 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
As the most abundant noncoding RNA in cells, tRNA plays an important role in tumorigenesis and development. The report of tRNA on the pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma is rare. It is of great clinical significance to explore the relationship between tRNA expression and prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma. The expression level of tRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and paracarcinoma tissues was detected using a tRNA RT-qPCR array. A total of 104 lung adenocarcinomas were included in the analysis of the correlation between candidate tRNAs expression and prognosis. A tRNA-based prognostic model was constructed and validated using Cox proportional hazards regression. A nomogram was built to help clinicians develop treatment strategies. We screened a series of differentially expressed tRNAs between lung adenocarcinoma tissues and paracarcinoma tissues. Among these tRNAs, tRNAAsn ATT , tRNAIle AAT , tRNALeu TAA , mt-tRNATrp TCA , mt-tRNALeu TAA , tRNAPro AGG , tRNALys CTT -1 and tRNALeu AAG were associated with the clinicopathological characteristics of lung adenocarcinoma. tRNALys CTT -1 , mt-tRNASer GCT and tRNATyr ATA were associated with cancer-specific survival. We constructed a prognostic model for lung adenocarcinoma using specific tRNA expression levels as reference factors. Multivariate analyses showed that tRNA-based prognostic score was a significant and important prognostic factor. The prognostic model based on the tRNAs expression signatures can help predict the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muyu Kuang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Difan Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoting Tao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yizhou Peng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunjian Pan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanbo Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hang Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chongze Yuan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yawei Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaqing Xiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiquan Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihua Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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9
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Rodrigues RAL, Arantes TS, Oliveira GP, dos Santos Silva LK, Abrahão JS. The Complex Nature of Tupanviruses. Adv Virus Res 2019; 103:135-166. [PMID: 30635075 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aivir.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of giant viruses revealed a new level of complexity in the virosphere, raising important questions about the diversity, ecology, and evolution of these viruses. The family Mimiviridae was the first group of amoebal giant viruses to be discovered (by Bernard La Scola and Didier Raoult team), containing viruses with structural and genetic features that challenged many concepts of classic virology. The tupanviruses are among the newest members of this family and exhibit structural, biological, and genetic features never previously observed in other giant viruses. The complexity of these viruses has put us one step forward toward the comprehension of giant virus biology and evolution, but also has raised important questions that still need to be addressed. In this chapter, we tell the history behind the discovery of one of the most complex viruses isolated to date, highlighting the unique features exhibited by tupanviruses, and discuss how these giant viruses have contributed to redefining limits for the virosphere.
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10
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Chen R, Wang J, Liao C, Zhang L, Guo Q, Wang X. Exploring the biomarkers and therapeutic mechanism of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome treated by You-gui pill using systems pharmacology and serum metabonomics. RSC Adv 2018; 8:1098-1115. [PMID: 35539000 PMCID: PMC9077015 DOI: 10.1039/c7ra12451a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, systems pharmacology was used to predict the molecular targets of You-gui pill (YGP) and explore the therapeutic mechanism of Kidney-Yang Deficiency Syndrome (KYDS) treated with YGP. On the basis of this, serum samples from control group, KYDS model group and YGP group rats were studied using 1H NMR to verify the results of systems pharmacology from the level of metabonomics. Simultaneously, 1H NMR spectra of serum samples were obtained and statistically assessed using pattern recognition analysis. Biochemical analyses of serums were performed via radioimmunoassays. Furthermore, histopathological studies were conducted on the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands, and testicles of the control, KYDS and YGP rats. Using systems pharmacology to analyze the active components of YGP, 61 active compounds were finally found. These compounds were likely to have an effect on 3177 target proteins and involve 234 pathways. Using metabonomics to analyze serum from KYDS rats treated with YGP, 22 endogenous biomarkers were found. These biomarkers were mainly involved in 10 metabolic pathways. Combining systems pharmacology and metabonomics, we found that the regulation of KYDS was primarily associated with 19 active compounds of 5 Chinese herbal medicines in YGP. These active compounds mainly had an effect on 8 target proteins, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, betaine-homocysteine s-methyltransferase 1, alcohol dehydrogenase 1C, etc. These target proteins were primarily involved in 6 overlapping pathways, namely aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism. In addition, there were 4 non-overlapping pathways, respectively alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, d-glutamine and d-glutamate metabolism, ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis, and galactose metabolism. In summary, the therapeutic effects of YGP on KYDS were mainly associated with neuroendocrine regulation, energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, inflammatory responses, apoptosis, oxidative stress and intestinal flora metabolism. What's more, we also found that YGP possessed the potential to protect liver and kidney function. Our study demonstrated that systems pharmacology and metabonomics methods were novel strategies for the exploration of the mechanisms of KYDS and TCM formulas. In this study, systems pharmacology was used to predict the molecular targets of You-gui pills (YGP) and explore the therapeutic mechanism of Kidney-Yang Deficiency Syndrome (KYDS) treated with YGP.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqun Chen
- School of Basic Courses
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University
- Guangzhou 510006
- P. R. China
| | - Jia Wang
- School of Basic Courses
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University
- Guangzhou 510006
- P. R. China
| | - Chengbin Liao
- School of Basic Courses
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University
- Guangzhou 510006
- P. R. China
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of Basic Courses
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University
- Guangzhou 510006
- P. R. China
| | - Qian Guo
- School of Basic Courses
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University
- Guangzhou 510006
- P. R. China
| | - Xiufeng Wang
- School of Basic Courses
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University
- Guangzhou 510006
- P. R. China
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11
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Double mimicry evades tRNA synthetase editing by toxic vegetable-sourced non-proteinogenic amino acid. Nat Commun 2017; 8:2281. [PMID: 29273753 PMCID: PMC5741666 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02201-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hundreds of non-proteinogenic (np) amino acids (AA) are found in plants and can in principle enter human protein synthesis through foods. While aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (AARS) editing potentially provides a mechanism to reject np AAs, some have pathological associations. Co-crystal structures show that vegetable-sourced azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (Aze), a dual mimic of proline and alanine, is activated by both human prolyl- and alanyl-tRNA synthetases. However, it inserts into proteins as proline, with toxic consequences in vivo. Thus, dual mimicry increases odds for mistranslation through evasion of one but not both tRNA synthetase editing systems.
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12
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Blocquel D, Li S, Wei N, Daub H, Sajish M, Erfurth ML, Kooi G, Zhou J, Bai G, Schimmel P, Jordanova A, Yang XL. Alternative stable conformation capable of protein misinteraction links tRNA synthetase to peripheral neuropathy. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:8091-8104. [PMID: 28531329 PMCID: PMC5737801 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
While having multiple aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases implicated in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease suggests a common mechanism, a defect in enzymatic activity is not shared among the CMT-causing mutants. Protein misfolding is a common hypothesis underlying the development of many neurological diseases. Its process usually involves an initial reduction in protein stability and then the subsequent oligomerization and aggregation. Here, we study the structural effect of three CMT-causing mutations in tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS or YARS). Through various approaches, we found that the mutations do not induce changes in protein secondary structures, or shared effects on oligomerization state and stability. However, all mutations provide access to a surface masked in the wild-type enzyme, and that access correlates with protein misinteraction. With recent data on another CMT-linked tRNA synthetase, we suggest that an inherent plasticity, engendering the formation of alternative stable conformations capable of aberrant interactions, links the tRNA synthetase family to CMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Blocquel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Na Wei
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Herwin Daub
- Dynamic Biosensors GmbH, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Mathew Sajish
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Maria-Luise Erfurth
- Molecular Neurogenomics Group, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Grace Kooi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jiadong Zhou
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ge Bai
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Paul Schimmel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Albena Jordanova
- Molecular Neurogenomics Group, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Xiang-Lei Yang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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13
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Sissler M, González-Serrano LE, Westhof E. Recent Advances in Mitochondrial Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases and Disease. Trends Mol Med 2017; 23:693-708. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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14
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Lee YH, Chang CP, Cheng YJ, Kuo YY, Lin YS, Wang CC. Evolutionary gain of highly divergent tRNA specificities by two isoforms of human histidyl-tRNA synthetase. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:2663-2677. [PMID: 28321488 PMCID: PMC11107585 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2491-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The discriminator base N73 is a key identity element of tRNAHis. In eukaryotes, N73 is an "A" in cytoplasmic tRNAHis and a "C" in mitochondrial tRNAHis. We present evidence herein that yeast histidyl-tRNA synthetase (HisRS) recognizes both A73 and C73, but somewhat prefers A73 even within the context of mitochondrial tRNAHis. In contrast, humans possess two distinct yet closely related HisRS homologues, with one encoding the cytoplasmic form (with an extra N-terminal WHEP domain) and the other encoding its mitochondrial counterpart (with an extra N-terminal mitochondrial targeting signal). Despite these two isoforms sharing high sequence similarities (81% identity), they strongly preferred different discriminator bases (A73 or C73). Moreover, only the mitochondrial form recognized the anticodon as a strong identity element. Most intriguingly, swapping the discriminator base between the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNAHis isoacceptors conveniently switched their enzyme preferences. Similarly, swapping seven residues in the active site between the two isoforms readily switched their N73 preferences. This study suggests that the human HisRS genes, while descending from a common ancestor with dual function for both types of tRNAHis, have acquired highly specialized tRNA recognition properties through evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hsueh Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Jungli District, Taoyuan, 32001, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Pei Chang
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Jungli District, Taoyuan, 32001, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ju Cheng
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Jungli District, Taoyuan, 32001, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Yi Kuo
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Jungli District, Taoyuan, 32001, Taiwan
| | - Yeong-Shin Lin
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30068, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chia Wang
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Jungli District, Taoyuan, 32001, Taiwan.
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15
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Abstract
All types of nucleic acids in cells undergo naturally occurring chemical modifications, including DNA, rRNA, mRNA, snRNA, and most prominently tRNA. Over 100 different modifications have been described and every position in the purine and pyrimidine bases can be modified; often the sugar is also modified [1]. In tRNA, the function of modifications varies; some modulate global and/or local RNA structure, and others directly impact decoding and may be essential for viability. Whichever the case, the overall importance of modifications is highlighted by both their evolutionary conservation and the fact that organisms use a substantial portion of their genomes to encode modification enzymes, far exceeding what is needed for the de novo synthesis of the canonical nucleotides themselves [2]. Although some modifications occur at exactly the same nucleotide position in tRNAs from the three domains of life, many can be found at various positions in a particular tRNA and their location may vary between and within different tRNAs. With this wild array of chemical diversity and substrate specificities, one of the big challenges in the tRNA modification field has been to better understand at a molecular level the modes of substrate recognition by the different modification enzymes; in this realm RNA binding rests at the heart of the problem. This chapter will focus on several examples of modification enzymes where their mode of RNA binding is well understood; from these, we will try to draw general conclusions and highlight growing themes that may be applicable to the RNA modification field at large.
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16
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Abrahão JS, Araújo R, Colson P, La Scola B. The analysis of translation-related gene set boosts debates around origin and evolution of mimiviruses. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006532. [PMID: 28207761 PMCID: PMC5313130 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The giant mimiviruses challenged the well-established concept of viruses, blurring the roots of the tree of life, mainly due to their genetic content. Along with other nucleo-cytoplasmic large DNA viruses, they compose a new proposed order-named Megavirales-whose origin and evolution generate heated debate in the scientific community. The presence of an arsenal of genes not widespread in the virosphere related to important steps of the translational process, including transfer RNAs, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and translation factors for peptide synthesis, constitutes an important element of this debate. In this review, we highlight the main findings to date about the translational machinery of the mimiviruses and compare their distribution along the distinct members of the family Mimiviridae. Furthermore, we discuss how the presence and/or absence of the translation-related genes among mimiviruses raises important insights to boost the debate on their origin and evolutionary history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jônatas Santos Abrahão
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63 CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1095, Aix-Marseille Univ., 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France.,Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, Laboratório de Vírus, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Araújo
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, Laboratório de Vírus, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Philippe Colson
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63 CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1095, Aix-Marseille Univ., 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Bernard La Scola
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63 CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1095, Aix-Marseille Univ., 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
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17
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Cantara WA, Olson ED, Musier-Forsyth K. Analysis of RNA structure using small-angle X-ray scattering. Methods 2017; 113:46-55. [PMID: 27777026 PMCID: PMC5253320 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2016.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to their role in correctly attaching specific amino acids to cognate tRNAs, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) have been found to possess many alternative functions and often bind to and act on other nucleic acids. In contrast to the well-defined 3D structure of tRNA, the structures of many of the other RNAs recognized by aaRSs have not been solved. Despite advances in the use of X-ray crystallography (XRC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) for structural characterization of biomolecules, significant challenges to solving RNA structures still exist. Recently, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) has been increasingly employed to characterize the 3D structures of RNAs and RNA-protein complexes. SAXS is capable of providing low-resolution tertiary structure information under physiological conditions and with less intensive sample preparation and data analysis requirements than XRC, NMR and cryo-EM. In this article, we describe best practices involved in the process of RNA and RNA-protein sample preparation, SAXS data collection, data analysis, and structural model building.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Cantara
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Erik D Olson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Karin Musier-Forsyth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States.
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18
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Barciszewska MZ, Perrigue PM, Barciszewski J. tRNA--the golden standard in molecular biology. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2016; 12:12-7. [PMID: 26549858 DOI: 10.1039/c5mb00557d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) represent a major class of RNA molecules. Their primary function is to help decode a messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence in order to synthesize protein and thus ensures the precise translation of genetic information that is imprinted in DNA. The discovery of tRNA in the late 1950's provided critical insight into a genetic machinery when little was known about the central dogma of molecular biology. In 1965, Robert Holley determined the first nucleotide sequence of alanine transfer RNA (tRNA(Ala)) which earned him the 1968 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Today, tRNA is one of the best described and characterized biological molecules. Here we review some of the key historical events in tRNA research which led to breakthrough discoveries and new developments in molecular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirosława Z Barciszewska
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12, 61-704 Poznań, Poland.
| | - Patrick M Perrigue
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12, 61-704 Poznań, Poland.
| | - Jan Barciszewski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12, 61-704 Poznań, Poland.
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19
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p53-Dependent DNA damage response sensitive to editing-defective tRNA synthetase in zebrafish. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:8460-5. [PMID: 27402763 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1608139113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain and heart pathologies are caused by editing defects of transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetases, which preserve genetic code fidelity by removing incorrect amino acids misattached to tRNAs. To extend understanding of the broader impact of synthetase editing reactions on organismal homeostasis, and based on effects in bacteria ostensibly from small amounts of mistranslation of components of the replication apparatus, we investigated the sensitivity to editing of the vertebrate genome. We show here that in zebrafish embryos, transient overexpression of editing-defective valyl-tRNA synthetase (ValRS(ED)) activated DNA break-responsive H2AX and p53-responsive downstream proteins, such as cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21, which promotes cell-cycle arrest at DNA damage checkpoints, and Gadd45 and p53R2, with pivotal roles in DNA repair. In contrast, the response of these proteins to expression of ValRS(ED) was abolished in p53-deficient fish. The p53-activated downstream signaling events correlated with suppression of abnormal morphological changes caused by the editing defect and, in adults, reversed a shortened life span (followed for 2 y). Conversely, with normal editing activities, p53-deficient fish have a normal life span and few morphological changes. Whole-fish deep sequencing showed genomic mutations associated with the editing defect. We suggest that the sensitivity of p53 to expression of an editing-defective tRNA synthetase has a critical role in promoting genome integrity and organismal homeostasis.
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20
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Chang CY, Chien CI, Chang CP, Lin BC, Wang CC. A WHEP Domain Regulates the Dynamic Structure and Activity of Caenorhabditis elegans Glycyl-tRNA Synthetase. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:16567-75. [PMID: 27298321 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.730812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
WHEP domains exist in certain eukaryotic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and play roles in tRNA or protein binding. We present evidence herein that cytoplasmic and mitochondrial forms of Caenorhabditis elegans glycyl-tRNA synthetase (CeGlyRS) are encoded by the same gene (CeGRS1) through alternative initiation of translation. The cytoplasmic form possessed an N-terminal WHEP domain, whereas its mitochondrial isoform possessed an extra N-terminal sequence consisting of an mitochondrial targeting signal and an appended domain. Cross-species complementation assays showed that CeGRS1 effectively rescued the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial defects of a yeast GRS1 knock-out strain. Although both forms of CeGlyRS efficiently charged the cytoplasmic tRNAs(Gly) of C. elegans, the mitochondrial form was much more efficient than its cytoplasmic counterpart in charging the mitochondrial tRNA(Gly) isoacceptor, which carries a defective TψC hairpin. Despite the WHEP domain per se lacking tRNA binding activity, deletion of this domain reduced the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme. Most interestingly, the deletion mutant possessed a higher thermal stability and a somewhat lower structural flexibility. Our study suggests a role for the WHEP domain as a regulator of the dynamic structure and activity of the enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Yao Chang
- From the Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Chin-I Chien
- From the Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Pei Chang
- From the Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Chun Lin
- From the Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chia Wang
- From the Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
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21
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Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are modular enzymes globally conserved in the three kingdoms of life. All catalyze the same two-step reaction, i.e., the attachment of a proteinogenic amino acid on their cognate tRNAs, thereby mediating the correct expression of the genetic code. In addition, some aaRSs acquired other functions beyond this key role in translation. Genomics and X-ray crystallography have revealed great structural diversity in aaRSs (e.g., in oligomery and modularity, in ranking into two distinct groups each subdivided in 3 subgroups, by additional domains appended on the catalytic modules). AaRSs show huge structural plasticity related to function and limited idiosyncrasies that are kingdom or even species specific (e.g., the presence in many Bacteria of non discriminating aaRSs compensating for the absence of one or two specific aaRSs, notably AsnRS and/or GlnRS). Diversity, as well, occurs in the mechanisms of aaRS gene regulation that are not conserved in evolution, notably between distant groups such as Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria. The review focuses on bacterial aaRSs (and their paralogs) and covers their structure, function, regulation, and evolution. Structure/function relationships are emphasized, notably the enzymology of tRNA aminoacylation and the editing mechanisms for correction of activation and charging errors. The huge amount of genomic and structural data that accumulated in last two decades is reviewed, showing how the field moved from essentially reductionist biology towards more global and integrated approaches. Likewise, the alternative functions of aaRSs and those of aaRS paralogs (e.g., during cell wall biogenesis and other metabolic processes in or outside protein synthesis) are reviewed. Since aaRS phylogenies present promiscuous bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryal features, similarities and differences in the properties of aaRSs from the three kingdoms of life are pinpointed throughout the review and distinctive characteristics of bacterium-like synthetases from organelles are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Giegé
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IBMC, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Mathias Springer
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Cité, UPR9073 CNRS, IBPC, 75005 Paris, France
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22
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Fang P, Guo M. Evolutionary Limitation and Opportunities for Developing tRNA Synthetase Inhibitors with 5-Binding-Mode Classification. Life (Basel) 2015; 5:1703-25. [PMID: 26670257 PMCID: PMC4695845 DOI: 10.3390/life5041703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are enzymes that catalyze the transfer of amino acids to their cognate tRNAs as building blocks for translation. Each of the aaRS families plays a pivotal role in protein biosynthesis and is indispensable for cell growth and survival. In addition, aaRSs in higher species have evolved important non-translational functions. These translational and non-translational functions of aaRS are attractive for developing antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic agents and for treating other human diseases. The interplay between amino acids, tRNA, ATP, EF-Tu and non-canonical binding partners, had shaped each family with distinct pattern of key sites for regulation, with characters varying among species across the path of evolution. These sporadic variations in the aaRSs offer great opportunity to target these essential enzymes for therapy. Up to this day, growing numbers of aaRS inhibitors have been discovered and developed. Here, we summarize the latest developments and structural studies of aaRS inhibitors, and classify them with distinct binding modes into five categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
- Department of Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
| | - Min Guo
- Department of Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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23
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Dutta S, Nandi N. Dynamics of the Active Sites of Dimeric Seryl tRNA Synthetase from Methanopyrus kandleri. J Phys Chem B 2015; 119:10832-48. [PMID: 25794108 DOI: 10.1021/jp511585w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Saheb Dutta
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal 741235, India
| | - Nilashis Nandi
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal 741235, India
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24
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Vanderwaltozyma polyspora possesses two glycyl-tRNA synthetase genes: one constitutive and one inducible. Fungal Genet Biol 2015; 76:47-56. [PMID: 25683380 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2015.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are housekeeping enzymes essential for protein synthesis. We herein present evidence that the yeast Vanderwaltozyma polyspora possesses two paralogous glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) genes-GRS1 and GRS2. Paradoxically, GRS1 provided functions in both the cytoplasm and mitochondria, while GRS2 was essentially silent under normal growth conditions. Expression of GRS2 could be activated by stresses such as high pH or ethanol and most effectively by high temperature. The expressed GlyRS2 protein was exclusively found in the cytoplasm and more stable under heat-shock conditions (37°C) than under normal growth conditions (30°C) in vivo. In addition, GRS2 effectively rescued the cytoplasmic defect of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae GRS1 knockout strain when expressed from a constitutive promoter. Moreover, the purified GlyRS2 enzyme was fairly active at both 30°C and 37°C in glycylation of yeast tRNA in vitro. However, unexpectedly, the purified GlyRS2 enzyme was practically inactive at temperature above 40°C in vitro. Our study suggests that GRS2 is an inducible gene that acts under stress conditions where GlyRS1 may be insufficient, unavailable, or rendered inactive.
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25
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Wei N, Shi Y, Truong LN, Fisch KM, Xu T, Gardiner E, Fu G, Hsu YSO, Kishi S, Su AI, Wu X, Yang XL. Oxidative stress diverts tRNA synthetase to nucleus for protection against DNA damage. Mol Cell 2014; 56:323-332. [PMID: 25284223 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2014.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Revised: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) is known for its essential aminoacylation function in protein synthesis. Here we report a function for TyrRS in DNA damage protection. We found that oxidative stress, which often downregulates protein synthesis, induces TyrRS to rapidly translocate from the cytosol to the nucleus. We also found that angiogenin mediates or potentiates this stress-induced translocalization. The nuclear-localized TyrRS activates transcription factor E2F1 to upregulate the expression of DNA damage repair genes such as BRCA1 and RAD51. The activation is achieved through direct interaction of TyrRS with TRIM28 to sequester this vertebrate-specific epigenetic repressor and its associated HDAC1 from deacetylating and suppressing E2F1. Remarkably, overexpression of TyrRS strongly protects against UV-induced DNA double-strand breaks in zebrafish, whereas restricting TyrRS nuclear entry completely abolishes the protection. Therefore, oxidative stress triggers an essential cytoplasmic enzyme used for protein synthesis to translocate to the nucleus to protect against DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Wei
- Departments of Chemical Physiology and Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yi Shi
- Departments of Chemical Physiology and Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Lan N Truong
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kathleen M Fisch
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tao Xu
- Departments of Chemical Physiology and Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Elisabeth Gardiner
- Departments of Chemical Physiology and Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Guangsen Fu
- Departments of Chemical Physiology and Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yun-Shiuan Olivia Hsu
- Departments of Chemical Physiology and Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Shuji Kishi
- Department of Metabolism and Aging, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Andrew I Su
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Xiaohua Wu
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Xiang-Lei Yang
- Departments of Chemical Physiology and Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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26
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Seligmann H. Putative anticodons in mitochondrial tRNA sidearm loops: Pocketknife tRNAs? J Theor Biol 2013; 340:155-63. [PMID: 24012463 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2013.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2013] [Revised: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The hypothesis that tRNA sidearm loops bear anticodons assumes crossovers between anticodon and sidearms, or translation by expressed aminoacylated tRNA halves forming single stem-loops. Only the latter might require ribosomal adaptations. Drosophila mitochondrial codon usages coevolve with sidearm numbers bearing matching putative anticodons (comparing different codon families in one genome, macroevolution) and when comparing different genomes for single codon families (microevolution). Coevolution between Drosophila and yeast mitochondrial antisense tRNAs and codon usages partly confounds microevolutionary patterns for putative sidearm anticodons. Some tRNA sidearm loops have more than seven nucleotides, putative expanded anticodons potentially matching quadruplet codons (tetracodons, codons expanded by a fourth silent position, forming tetragenes (predicted by alignment analyses of Drosophila mitochondrial genomes)). Tetracodon numbers coevolve with expanded tRNA sidearm loops. Sidearm coevolution with amino acid usages and tetragenes occurs for putative anticodons in 5' and 3' sidearms loops (D and TΨC loops, respectively), are stronger for the D-loop. Results slightly favour isolated stem-loops upon crossover hypotheses. An alternative hypothesis, that patterns observed for sidearm 'anticodons' do not imply translational activity, but recognition signals for tRNA synthetases that aminoacylate tRNAs, is incompatible with tetracodon/tetra-anticodon coevolution. Hence analyses strengthen translational hypotheses for tRNA sidearm anticodons, tetragenes, and antisense tRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Seligmann
- National Natural History Museum Collections, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Life Sciences, Ben Gurion University, 84105 Beer Sheva, Israel.
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An insertion peptide in yeast glycyl-tRNA synthetase facilitates both productive docking and catalysis of cognate tRNAs. Mol Cell Biol 2013; 33:3515-23. [PMID: 23816885 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00122-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae possesses two distinct glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) genes: GRS1 and GRS2. GRS1 is dually functional, encoding both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial activities, while GRS2 is dysfunctional and not required for growth. The protein products of these two genes, GlyRS1 and GlyRS2, are much alike but are distinguished by an insertion peptide of GlyRS1, which is absent from GlyRS2 and other eukaryotic homologues. We show that deletion or mutation of the insertion peptide modestly impaired the enzyme's catalytic efficiency in vitro (with a 2- to 3-fold increase in Km and a 5- to 8-fold decrease in kcat). Consistently, GRS2 can be conveniently converted to a functional gene via codon optimization, and the insertion peptide is dispensable for protein stability and the rescue activity of GRS1 at 30°C in vivo. A phylogenetic analysis further showed that GRS1 and GRS2 are paralogues that arose from a gene duplication event relatively recently, with GRS1 being the predecessor. These results indicate that GlyRS2 is an active enzyme essentially resembling the insertion peptide-deleted form of GlyRS1. Our study suggests that the insertion peptide represents a novel auxiliary domain, which facilitates both productive docking and catalysis of cognate tRNAs.
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Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNAsynthetases (aaRSs) are modular enzymesglobally conserved in the three kingdoms of life. All catalyze the same two-step reaction, i.e., the attachment of a proteinogenic amino acid on their cognate tRNAs, thereby mediating the correct expression of the genetic code. In addition, some aaRSs acquired other functions beyond this key role in translation.Genomics and X-ray crystallography have revealed great structural diversity in aaRSs (e.g.,in oligomery and modularity, in ranking into two distinct groups each subdivided in 3 subgroups, by additional domains appended on the catalytic modules). AaRSs show hugestructural plasticity related to function andlimited idiosyncrasies that are kingdom or even speciesspecific (e.g.,the presence in many Bacteria of non discriminating aaRSs compensating for the absence of one or two specific aaRSs, notably AsnRS and/or GlnRS).Diversity, as well, occurs in the mechanisms of aaRS gene regulation that are not conserved in evolution, notably betweendistant groups such as Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria.Thereview focuses on bacterial aaRSs (and their paralogs) and covers their structure, function, regulation,and evolution. Structure/function relationships are emphasized, notably the enzymology of tRNA aminoacylation and the editing mechanisms for correction of activation and charging errors. The huge amount of genomic and structural data that accumulatedin last two decades is reviewed,showing how thefield moved from essentially reductionist biologytowards more global and integrated approaches. Likewise, the alternative functions of aaRSs and those of aaRSparalogs (e.g., during cellwall biogenesis and other metabolic processes in or outside protein synthesis) are reviewed. Since aaRS phylogenies present promiscuous bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryal features, similarities and differences in the properties of aaRSs from the three kingdoms of life are pinpointedthroughout the reviewand distinctive characteristics of bacterium-like synthetases from organelles are outlined.
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Conformational preferences of modified nucleoside N(2)-methylguanosine (m(2)G) and its derivative N(2), N(2)-dimethylguanosine (m(2)(2)G) occur at 26th position (hinge region) in tRNA. Cell Biochem Biophys 2012; 61:507-21. [PMID: 21735129 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-011-9233-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Conformational preferences of the modified nucleosides N(2)-methylguanosine (m(2)G) and N(2), N(2)-dimethylguanosine (m(2)(2)G) have been studied theoretically by using quantum chemical perturbative configuration interaction with localized orbitals (PCILO) method. Automated complete geometry optimization using semiempirical quantum chemical RM1, along with ab initio molecular orbital Hartree-Fock (HF-SCF), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations has also been made to compare the salient features. Single-point energy calculation studies have been made on various models of m(2)G26:C/A/U44 and m(2)(2)G26:C/A/U44. The glycosyl torsion angle prefers "syn" (χ = 286°) conformation for m(2)G and m(2)(2)G molecules. These conformations are stabilized by N(3)-HC2' and N(3)-HC3' by replacing weak interaction between O5'-HC(8). The N(2)-methyl substituent of (m(2)G26) prefers "proximal" or s-trans conformation. It may also prefer "distal" or s-cis conformation that allows base pairing with A/U44 instead of C at the hinge region. Thus, N(2)-methyl group of m(2)G may have energetically two stable s-trans m(2)G:C/A/U or s-cis m(2)G:A/U rotamers. This could be because of free rotations around C-N bond. Similarly, N(2), N(2)-dimethyl substituent of (m(2)(2)G) prefers "distal" conformation that may allow base pairing with A/U instead of C at 44th position. Such orientations of m(2)G and m(2)(2)G could play an important role in base-stacking interactions at the hinge region of tRNA during protein biosynthesis process.
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Fu G, Xu T, Shi Y, Wei N, Yang XL. tRNA-controlled nuclear import of a human tRNA synthetase. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:9330-4. [PMID: 22291016 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.c111.325902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, essential components of the cytoplasmic translation apparatus, also have nuclear functions that continue to be elucidated. However, little is known about how the distribution between cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments is controlled. Using a combination of methods, here we showed that human tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) distributes to the nucleus and that the nuclear import of human TyrRS is regulated by its cognate tRNA(Tyr). We identified a hexapeptide motif in the anticodon recognition domain that is critical for nuclear import of the synthetase. Remarkably, this nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence motif is also important for interacting with tRNA(Tyr). As a consequence, mutational alteration of the hexapeptide simultaneously attenuated aminoacylation and nuclear localization. Because the NLS is sterically blocked when the cognate tRNA is bound to TyrRS, we hypothesized that the nuclear distribution of TyrRS is regulated by tRNA(Tyr). This expectation was confirmed by RNAi knockdown of tRNA(Tyr) expression, which led to robust nuclear import of TyrRS. Further bioinformatics analysis showed that to have nuclear import of TyrRS directly controlled by tRNA(Tyr) in higher organisms, the NLS of lower eukaryotes was abandoned, whereas the new NLS was evolved from an anticodon-binding hexapeptide motif. Thus, higher organisms developed a strategy to make tRNA a regulator of the nuclear trafficking of its cognate synthetase. The design in principle should coordinate nuclear import of a tRNA synthetase with the demands of protein synthesis in the cytoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangsen Fu
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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Abstract
Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases are ancient proteins that interpret the genetic material in all life forms. They are thought to have appeared during the transition from the RNA world to the theatre of proteins. During translation, they establish the rules of the genetic code, whereby each amino acid is attached to a tRNA that is cognate to the amino acid. Mistranslation occurs when an amino acid is attached to the wrong tRNA and subsequently is misplaced in a nascent protein. Mistranslation can be toxic to bacteria and mammalian cells, and can lead to heritable mutations. The great challenge for nature appears to be serine-for-alanine mistranslation, where even small amounts of this mistranslation cause severe neuropathologies in the mouse. To minimize serine-for-alanine mistranslation, powerful selective pressures developed to prevent mistranslation through a special editing activity imbedded within alanyl-tRNA synthetases (AlaRSs). However, serine-for-alanine mistranslation is so challenging that a separate, genome-encoded fragment of the editing domain of AlaRS is distributed throughout the Tree of Life to redundantly prevent serine-to-alanine mistranslation. Detailed X-ray structural and functional analysis shed light on why serine-for-alanine mistranslation is a universal problem, and on the selective pressures that engendered the appearance of AlaXps at the base of the Tree of Life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Schimmel
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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32
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Protein translation in Plasmodium parasites. Trends Parasitol 2011; 27:467-76. [PMID: 21741312 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2011.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2011] [Revised: 05/13/2011] [Accepted: 05/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Paradox of mistranslation of serine for alanine caused by AlaRS recognition dilemma. Nature 2010; 462:808-12. [PMID: 20010690 PMCID: PMC2799227 DOI: 10.1038/nature08612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2009] [Accepted: 10/26/2009] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Mistranslation from confusion of serine for alanine by alanyl-tRNA synthetases (AlaRSs) has profound functional consequences1-3. Throughout evolution, two editing-checkpoints prevent disease-causing mistranslation from confusing glycine or serine for alanine at the active site of AlaRS. In both bacteria and mice, Ser poses a bigger challenge than Gly1,2. One checkpoint is the AlaRS editing center, while the other is from widely distributed AlaXps—free-standing, genome-encoded editing proteins that clear Ser-tRNAAla. The paradox of misincorporating both a smaller (glycine) and a larger amino acid (serine) suggests a deep conflict for nature-designed AlaRS. To understand the chemical basis for this conflict, kinetic and mutational analysis, together with nine crystal structures, provided snapshots of adenylate formation for each amino acid. An inherent dilemma is posed by constraints of a structural design that pins down the α–amino group of the bound amino acid using an acidic residue. This design, of more than 3 billion years, creates a serendipitous interaction with the serine OH that is difficult to avoid. Apparently not able to find better architecture for recognition of alanine, the serine misactivation problem was solved through free-standing AlaXps, which appeared contemporaneously with early AlaRSs. The results reveal unconventional problems and solutions arising from the historical design of the protein synthesis machinery.
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Moura GR, Paredes JA, Santos MA. Development of the genetic code: Insights from a fungal codon reassignment. FEBS Lett 2009; 584:334-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.11.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2009] [Revised: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 11/18/2009] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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35
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Messmer M, Blais SP, Balg C, Chênevert R, Grenier L, Lagüe P, Sauter C, Sissler M, Giegé R, Lapointe J, Florentz C. Peculiar inhibition of human mitochondrial aspartyl-tRNA synthetase by adenylate analogs. Biochimie 2009; 91:596-603. [PMID: 19254750 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2009.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2008] [Accepted: 02/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Human mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (mt-aaRSs), the enzymes which esterify tRNAs with the cognate specific amino acid, form mainly a different set of proteins than those involved in the cytosolic translation machinery. Many of the mt-aaRSs are of bacterial-type in regard of sequence and modular structural organization. However, the few enzymes investigated so far do have peculiar biochemical and enzymological properties such as decreased solubility, decreased specific activity and enlarged spectra of substrate tRNAs (of same specificity but from various organisms and kingdoms), as compared to bacterial aaRSs. Here the sensitivity of human mitochondrial aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (AspRS) to small substrate analogs (non-hydrolysable adenylates) known as inhibitors of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa AspRSs is evaluated and compared to the sensitivity of eukaryal cytosolic human and bovine AspRSs. L-aspartol-adenylate (aspartol-AMP) is a competitive inhibitor of aspartylation by mitochondrial as well as cytosolic mammalian AspRSs, with K(i) values in the micromolar range (4-27 microM for human mt- and mammalian cyt-AspRSs). 5'-O-[N-(L-aspartyl)sulfamoyl]adenosine (Asp-AMS) is a 500-fold stronger competitive inhibitor of the mitochondrial enzyme than aspartol-AMP (10nM) and a 35-fold lower competitor of human and bovine cyt-AspRSs (300 nM). The higher sensitivity of human mt-AspRS for both inhibitors as compared to either bacterial or mammalian cytosolic enzymes, is not correlated with clear-cut structural features in the catalytic site as deduced from docking experiments, but may result from dynamic events. In the scope of new antibacterial strategies directed against aaRSs, possible side effects of such drugs on the mitochondrial human aaRSs should thus be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Messmer
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Université Louis Pasteur, CNRS, IBMC 15 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France
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Crystal structure of tRNA N2,N2-guanosine dimethyltransferase Trm1 from Pyrococcus horikoshii. J Mol Biol 2008; 383:871-84. [PMID: 18789948 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2008.08.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2008] [Accepted: 08/21/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Trm1 catalyzes a two-step reaction, leading to mono- and dimethylation of guanosine at position 26 in most eukaryotic and archaeal tRNAs. We report the crystal structures of Trm1 from Pyrococcus horikoshii liganded with S-adenosyl-l-methionine or S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine. The protein comprises N-terminal and C-terminal domains with class I methyltransferase and novel folds, respectively. The methyl moiety of S-adenosyl-l-methionine points toward the invariant Phe27 and Phe140 within a narrow pocket, where the target G26 might flip in. Mutagenesis of Phe27 or Phe140 to alanine abolished the enzyme activity, indicating their role in methylating G26. Structural analyses revealed that the movements of Phe140 and the loop preceding Phe27 may be involved in dissociation of the monomethylated tRNA*Trm1 complex prior to the second methylation. Moreover, the catalytic residues Asp138, Pro139, and Phe140 are in a different motif from that in DNA 6-methyladenosine methyltransferases, suggesting a different methyl transfer mechanism in the Trm1 family.
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37
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Mallick B, Ghosh Z, Chakrabarti J. Structural determinants characteristic to AARS subclasses and tRNA-splicing endonuclease in eukaryotes. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2008; 26:223-34. [PMID: 18597544 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2008.10507238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
We compare and analyse the whole set of cytoplasmic, nonorganellar transfer RNA genes from 22 eukaryal genomes. Grouping this whole set into sets of isoacceptors we have elucidated structural elements that are characteristic to individual isoacceptor tRNAs within the subclasses of aminoacyl tRNA synthetases. Further, we have observed structural motifs straddling the exon-intron boundaries, which includes selective occurrence of both symmetric- 3-4-3 and asymmetric-3-4-(4, 5) bulge-helix-bulge-like structural motifs. Among all the tRNA isoacceptors, Ile, Leu, Ser, Pro, Met, Arg, and Tyr harbor BHB-like secondary structures at exon-intron boundaries. The structural signatories at the exon-intron boundaries appear to contribute to the specificity of splice site recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibekanand Mallick
- Computational Biology Group, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Calcutta 700032, India.
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Ledoux S, Uhlenbeck OC. [3'-32P]-labeling tRNA with nucleotidyltransferase for assaying aminoacylation and peptide bond formation. Methods 2008; 44:74-80. [PMID: 18241789 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2007.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2007] [Accepted: 08/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of reactions involving amino acids esterified to tRNAs traditionally uses radiolabeled amino acids. We describe here an alternative assay involving [3'-32P]-labeled tRNA followed by nuclease digestion and TLC analysis that permits aminoacylation to be monitored in an efficient, quantitative manner while circumventing many of the problems faced when using radiolabeled amino acids. We also describe a similar assay using [3'-32P]-labeled aa-tRNAs to determine the rate of peptide bond formation on the ribosome. This type of assay can also potentially be adapted to study other reactions involving an amino acid or peptide esterified to tRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ledoux
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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39
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Tumor endothelial cell tube formation model for determining anti-angiogenic activity of a tRNA synthetase cytokine. Methods 2008; 44:190-5. [PMID: 18241800 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2007.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2007] [Revised: 10/10/2007] [Accepted: 10/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to their key role in protein biosynthesis, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases have other biological functions that appeared during their long evolutionary development. In mammalian cells, specific members of this family of enzymes are also procytokines that, upon conversion, are active cytokines in pathways for angiogenesis, and thereby connect translation to control of blood vessel development. Here we describe an in vitro assay for tube formation by tumor endothelial cells on a matrigel substrate. In contrast to normal endothelial cells, tumor endothelial cells have strong angiogenic capabilities and the ability to form vessel-like tubes on a solid substrate. In particular, we found that a SV40-immortalized mouse lymphoid endothelial cell line was robust in this assay and yielded data that could be quantified with high precision. Consequently, this specific tube formation model provides an opportunity to discover and analyze potent agents that specifically affect angiogenesis. It has proven effective for studying the angiogenic functions of tRNA synthetase cytokines.
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40
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Jakó É, Ittzés P, Szenes Á, Kun Á, Szathmáry E, Pál G. In silico detection of tRNA sequence features characteristic to aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase class membership. Nucleic Acids Res 2007; 35:5593-609. [PMID: 17704131 PMCID: PMC2018626 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkm598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (aaRS) are grouped into Class I and II based on primary and tertiary structure and enzyme properties suggesting two independent phylogenetic lineages. Analogously, tRNA molecules can also form two respective classes, based on the class membership of their corresponding aaRS. Although some aaRS–tRNA interactions are not extremely specific and require editing mechanisms to avoid misaminoacylation, most aaRS–tRNA interactions are rather stereospecific. Thus, class-specific aaRS features could be mirrored by class-specific tRNA features. However, previous investigations failed to detect conserved class-specific nucleotides. Here we introduce a discrete mathematical approach that evaluates not only class-specific ‘strictly present’, but also ‘strictly absent’ nucleotides. The disjoint subsets of these elements compose a unique partition, named extended consensus partition (ECP). By analyzing the ECP for both Class I and II tDNA sets from 50 (13 archaeal, 30 bacterial and 7 eukaryotic) species, we could demonstrate that class-specific tRNA sequence features do exist, although not in terms of strictly conserved nucleotides as it had previously been anticipated. This finding demonstrates that important information was hidden in tRNA sequences inaccessible for traditional statistical methods. The ECP analysis might contribute to the understanding of tRNA evolution and could enrich the sequence analysis tool repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éena Jakó
- Theoretical Biology and Ecology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, eScience Regional Knowledge Center, at Eötvös Loránd University, Collegium Budapest, Institute for Advanced Study, Budapest, Hungary, Department of Biochemistry and Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Ittzés
- Theoretical Biology and Ecology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, eScience Regional Knowledge Center, at Eötvös Loránd University, Collegium Budapest, Institute for Advanced Study, Budapest, Hungary, Department of Biochemistry and Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Áron Szenes
- Theoretical Biology and Ecology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, eScience Regional Knowledge Center, at Eötvös Loránd University, Collegium Budapest, Institute for Advanced Study, Budapest, Hungary, Department of Biochemistry and Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ádám Kun
- Theoretical Biology and Ecology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, eScience Regional Knowledge Center, at Eötvös Loránd University, Collegium Budapest, Institute for Advanced Study, Budapest, Hungary, Department of Biochemistry and Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eörs Szathmáry
- Theoretical Biology and Ecology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, eScience Regional Knowledge Center, at Eötvös Loránd University, Collegium Budapest, Institute for Advanced Study, Budapest, Hungary, Department of Biochemistry and Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Pál
- Theoretical Biology and Ecology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, eScience Regional Knowledge Center, at Eötvös Loránd University, Collegium Budapest, Institute for Advanced Study, Budapest, Hungary, Department of Biochemistry and Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- *To whom correspondence should be addressed. +36 1 2090555/8577+36 1 3812172
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Söll
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA.
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