The ori sequences of the mitochondrial genome of a wild-type yeast strain: number, location, orientation and structure

The Identification of the Mitochondrial DNA Polymerase γ (Mip1) of the Entomopathogenic Fungus Metarhizium brunneum

Replication of the mitochondrial (mt) genome in filamentous fungi is under-studied, and knowledge is based mainly on data from yeasts and higher eukaryotes. In this study, the mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ (Mip1) of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum is characterized and analyzed with disruption experiments and its in silico interactions with key proteins implicated in mt gene transcription, i.e., mt RNA polymerase Rpo41 and mt transcription factor Mtf1. Disruption of mip1 gene and its partial expression influences cell growth, morphology, germination and stress tolerance. A putative in silico model of Mip1-Rpo41-Mtf1, which is known to be needed for the initiation of replication, was proposed and helped to identify potential amino acid residues of Mip1 that interact with the Rpo41-Mtf1 complex. Moreover, the reduced expression of mip1 indicates that Mip1 is not required for efficient transcription but only for replication. Functional differences between the M. brunneum Mip1 and its counterparts from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and higher eukaryotes are discussed.

Decreasing mitochondrial RNA polymerase activity reverses biased inheritance of hypersuppressive mtDNA

Faithful inheritance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is crucial for cellular respiration/oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial membrane potential. However, how mtDNA is transmitted to progeny is not fully understood. We utilized hypersuppressive mtDNA, a class of respiratory deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae mtDNA that is preferentially inherited over wild-type mtDNA (rho+), to uncover the factors governing mtDNA inheritance. We found that some regions of rho+ mtDNA persisted while others were lost after a specific hypersuppressive takeover indicating that hypersuppressive preferential inheritance may partially be due to active destruction of rho+ mtDNA. From a multicopy suppression screen, we found that overexpression of putative mitochondrial RNA exonuclease PET127 reduced biased inheritance of a subset of hypersuppressive genomes. This suppression required PET127 binding to the mitochondrial RNA polymerase RPO41 but not PET127 exonuclease activity. A temperature-sensitive allele of RPO41 improved rho+ mtDNA inheritance over a specific hypersuppressive mtDNA at semi-permissive temperatures revealing a previously unknown role for rho+ transcription in promoting hypersuppressive mtDNA inheritance.

The Yeast Mitochondrial RNA Polymerase and Transcription Factor Complex Catalyzes Efficient Priming of DNA Synthesis on Single-stranded DNA

Primases use single-stranded (ss) DNAs as templates to synthesize short oligoribonucleotide primers that initiate lagging strand DNA synthesis or reprime DNA synthesis after replication fork collapse, but the origin of this activity in the mitochondria remains unclear. Herein, we show that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial RNA polymerase (Rpo41) and its transcription factor (Mtf1) is an efficient primase that initiates DNA synthesis on ssDNA coated with the yeast mitochondrial ssDNA-binding protein, Rim1. Both Rpo41 and Rpo41-Mtf1 can synthesize short and long RNAs on ssDNA template and prime DNA synthesis by the yeast mitochondrial DNA polymerase Mip1. However, the ssDNA-binding protein Rim1 severely inhibits the RNA synthesis activity of Rpo41, but not the Rpo41-Mtf1 complex, which continues to prime DNA synthesis efficiently in the presence of Rim1. We show that RNAs as short as 10-12 nt serve as primers for DNA synthesis. Characterization of the RNA-DNA products shows that Rpo41 and Rpo41-Mtf1 have slightly different priming specificity. However, both prefer to initiate with ATP from short priming sequences such as 3'-TCC, TTC, and TTT, and the consensus sequence is 3'-Pu(Py)2-3 Based on our studies, we propose that Rpo41-Mtf1 is an attractive candidate for serving as the primase to initiate lagging strand DNA synthesis during normal replication and/or to restart stalled replication from downstream ssDNA.

Yeast mitochondrial RNA polymerase primes mitochondrial DNA polymerase at origins of replication and promoter sequences

Three proteins phylogenetically grouped with proteins from the T7 replisome localize to yeast mitochondria: DNA polymerase γ (Mip1), mitochondrial RNA polymerase (Rpo41), and a single-stranded binding protein (Rim1). Human and T7 bacteriophage RNA polymerases synthesize primers for their corresponding DNA polymerases. In contrast, DNA replication in yeast mitochondria is explained by two models: a transcription-dependent model in which Rpo41 primes Mip1 and a model in which double stranded breaks create free 3' OHs that are extended by Mip1. Herein we found that Rpo41 transcribes RNAs that can be extended by Mip1 on single and double-stranded DNA. In contrast to human mitochondrial RNA polymerase, which primes DNA polymerase γ using transcripts from the light-strand and heavy-strand origins of replication, Rpo41 primes Mip1 at replication origins and promoter sequences in vitro. Our results suggest that in ori1, short transcripts serve as primers, whereas in ori5 an RNA transcript longer than 29 nucleotides is used as primer.

Replication intermediates of the linear mitochondrial DNA of Candida parapsilosis suggest a common recombination based mechanism for yeast mitochondria

Variation in the topology of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in eukaryotes evokes the question if differently structured DNAs are replicated by a common mechanism. RNA-primed DNA synthesis has been established as a mechanism for replicating the circular animal/mammalian mtDNA. In yeasts, circular mtDNA molecules were assumed to be templates for rolling circle DNA-replication. We recently showed that in Candida albicans, which has circular mapping mtDNA, recombination driven replication is a major mechanism for replicating a complex branched mtDNA network. Careful analyses of C. albicans-mtDNA did not reveal detectable amounts of circular DNA molecules. In the present study we addressed the question of how the unit sized linear mtDNA of Candida parapsilosis terminating at both ends with arrays of tandem repeats (mitochondrial telomeres) is replicated. Originally, we expected to find replication intermediates diagnostic of canonical bi-directional replication initiation at the centrally located bi-directional promoter region. However, we found that the linear mtDNA of Candida parapsilosis also employs recombination for replication initiation. The most striking findings were that the mitochondrial telomeres appear to be hot spots for recombination driven replication, and that stable RNA:DNA hybrids, with a potential role in mtDNA replication, are also present in the mtDNA preparations.

The generation of oxidative stress-induced rearrangements in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mtDNA is dependent on the Nuc1 (EndoG/ExoG) nuclease and is enhanced by inactivation of the MRX complex

Oxidative stress is known to enhance the frequency of two major types of alterations in the mitochondrial genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: point mutations and large deletions resulting in the generation of respiration-deficient petite rhō mutants. We investigated the effect of antimycin A, a well-known agent inducing oxidative stress, on the stability of mtDNA. We show that antimycin enhances exclusively the generation of respiration-deficient petite mutants and this is accompanied by a significant increase in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and in a marked drop of cellular ATP. Whole mitochondrial genome sequencing revealed that mtDNAs of antimycin-induced petite mutants are deleted for most of the wild-type sequence and usually contain one of the active origins of mtDNA replication: ori1, ori2 ori3 or ori5. We show that the frequency of antimycin-induced rhō mutants is significantly elevated in mutants deleted either for the RAD50 or XRS2 gene, both encoding the components of the MRX complex, which is known to be involved in the repair of double strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA. Furthermore, enhanced frequency of rhō mutants in cultures of antimycin-treated cells lacking Rad50 was further increased by the simultaneous absence of the Ogg1 glycosylase, an important enzyme functioning in mtBER. We demonstrate also that rad50Δ and xrs2Δ deletion mutants display a considerable reduction in the frequency of allelic mitochondrial recombination, suggesting that it is the deficiency in homologous recombination which is responsible for enhanced rearrangements of mtDNA in antimycin-treated cells of these mutants. Finally, we show that the generation of large-scale mtDNA deletions induced by antimycin is markedly decreased in a nuc1Δ mutant lacking the activity of the Nuc1 nuclease, an ortholog of the mammalian mitochondrial nucleases EndoG and ExoG. This result indicates that the nuclease plays an important role in processing of oxidative stress-induced lesions in the mitochondrial genome.

Yeast exonuclease 5 is essential for mitochondrial genome maintenance

Yeast exonuclease 5 is encoded by the YBR163w (DEM1) gene, and this gene has been renamed EXO5. It is distantly related to the Escherichia coli RecB exonuclease class. Exo5 is localized to the mitochondria, and EXO5 deletions or nuclease-defective EXO5 mutants invariably yield petites, amplifying either the ori3 or ori5 region of the mitochondrial genome. These petites remain unstable and undergo continuous rearrangement. The mitochondrial phenotype of exo5Delta strains suggests an essential role for the enzyme in DNA replication and recombination. No nuclear phenotype associated with EXO5 deletions has been detected. Exo5 is a monomeric 5' exonuclease that releases dinucleotides as products. It is specific for single-stranded DNA and does not hydrolyze RNA. However, Exo5 has the capacity to slide across 5' double-stranded DNA or 5' RNA sequences and resumes cutting two nucleotides downstream of the double-stranded-to-single-stranded junction or RNA-to-DNA junction, respectively.

DNA recombination-initiation plays a role in the extremely biased inheritance of yeast [rho-] mitochondrial DNA that contains the replication origin ori5

Hypersuppressiveness, as observed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is an extremely biased inheritance of a small mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragment that contains a replication origin (HS [rho(-)] mtDNA). Our previous studies showed that concatemers (linear head-to-tail multimers) are obligatory intermediates for mtDNA partitioning and are primarily formed by rolling-circle replication mediated by Mhr1, a protein required for homologous mtDNA recombination. In this study, we found that Mhr1 is required for the hypersuppressiveness of HS [ori5] [rho(-)] mtDNA harboring ori5, one of the replication origins of normal ([rho(+)]) mtDNA. In addition, we detected an Ntg1-stimulated double-strand break at the ori5 locus. Purified Ntg1, a base excision repair enzyme, introduced a double-stranded break by itself into HS [ori5] [rho(-)] mtDNA at ori5 isolated from yeast cells. Both hypersuppressiveness and concatemer formation of HS [ori5] [rho(-)] mtDNA are simultaneously suppressed by the ntg1 null mutation. These results support a model in which, like homologous recombination, rolling-circle HS [ori5] [rho(-)] mtDNA replication is initiated by double-stranded breakage in ori5, followed by Mhr1-mediated homologous pairing of the processed nascent DNA ends with circular mtDNA. The hypersuppressiveness of HS [ori5] [rho(-)] mtDNA depends on a replication advantage furnished by the higher density of ori5 sequences and on a segregation advantage furnished by the higher genome copy number on transmitted concatemers.

Lessons from a small, dispensable genome: the mitochondrial genome of yeast

This article reviews the investigations on the mitochondrial genomes of yeast carried out in the author's laboratory during a quarter of a century (to be precise between 1966 and 1992). Our studies dealt with the structural basis for the cytoplasmic petite mutation, the replication, the transcription and the recombination of the mitochondrial genome, a genome which is dispensable and which comprises abundant non-coding sequences. This work led to some general conclusions on the nuclear genome of eukaryotes. Some recent results in apparent contradiction with our conclusions on ori sequences will also be briefly discussed.

Helicase Hmi1 stimulates the synthesis of concatemeric mitochondrial DNA molecules in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Hmi1p is a helicase in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae required for maintenance of the wild-type mitochondrial genome. Disruption of the HMI1 ORF generates rho(-) and rho(0) cells. Here we demonstrate that, in rho(-) yeast strains, Hmi1p stimulates the synthesis of long concatemeric mitochondrial DNA molecules associated with a reduction in the number of nucleoids used for mitochondrial DNA packaging. Surprisingly, the ATPase negative mutants of Hmi1p can also stimulate the synthesis of long concatemeric rho(-) mitochondrial DNA molecules and support the maintenance of the wild-type mitochondrial genome, albeit with reduced efficiency. We show that, in the mutant hmi1-5 background, the wild-type mitochondrial DNA is fragmented; and we propose that, in hmi1Delta yeast cells, the loss of the wild-type mitochondrial genome is caused by this fragmentation of the mitochondrial DNA.

Sequence analysis of three mitochondrial DNA molecules reveals interesting differences among Saccharomyces yeasts

The complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the two budding yeasts Saccharomyces castellii and Saccharomyces servazzii, consisting of 25 753 and 30 782 bp, respectively, were analysed and compared to Saccharomyces cerevisiae mtDNA. While some of the traits are very similar among Saccharomyces yeasts, others have highly diverged. The two mtDNAs are much more compact than that of S.cerevisiae and contain fewer introns and intergenic sequences, although they have almost the same coding potential. A few genes contain group I introns, but group II introns, otherwise found in S.cerevisiae mtDNA, are not present. Surprisingly, four genes (ATP6, COX2, COX3 and COB) in the mtDNA of S.servazzii contain, in total, five +1 frameshifts. mtDNAs of S.castellii, S.servazzii and S.cerevisiae contain all genes on the same strand, except for one tRNA gene. On the other hand, the gene order is very different. Several gene rearrangements have taken place upon separation of the Saccharomyces lineages, and even a part of the transcription units have not been preserved. It seems that the mechanism(s) involved in the generation of the rearrangements has had to ensure that all genes stayed encoded by the same DNA strand.

Purification and characterization of an endo-exonuclease from Podospora anserina mitochondria

The senescence phenotype of Podospora anserina wild-type strains depends on mitochondrial (mt) genome stability. Characterization of activities implicated in the maintenance of the mt DNA is therefore essential for a better understanding of these degenerative processes. To address this question we looked for a nuclease activity in this fungal mitochondria. Here we describe the purification of an endo-exonuclease active on single-stranded, double-stranded and flap DNA. The Podospora nuclease also possesses an RNase H activity. Gel filtration chromatography showed a native molecular mass of 90 kDa for the P. anserina enzyme. The highly purified fraction shows a single polypeptide chain of 49 kDa on SDS-PAGE, indicating that the Podospora enzyme is probably active as a dimer. Purification and sequencing of the endolysine digestion peptides of the Podospora mt nuclease suggested that this enzyme could belong to the 5' structure-specific endo-exonuclease family. The possible involvement of this nuclease in mt DNA recombination during the senescence process is evoked.

GC clusters and the stability of mitochondrial genomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and related yeats

The occurrence of GC clusters in Saccharomyces spp. and related yeasts was examined to clarify their association with the stability of intact mitochondrial genome. Abundance of nonspecific or specific GC clusters in these species decreases with phylogenetic distance from S. cerevisiae. Their number but not the number of replication origins correlates with the ability to form respiration-deficient mutants induced by ethidium bromide. This effect is not associated with the nuclear background since the cybrids having identical nuclei and mitochondria from different species gave similar results. In contrast to grand genomes, the presence of GC clusters in rho- mutants does not play any role in ethidium bromide induced mtDNA loss. The most plausible explanation for mitotically lost petite mtDNA seems to be dilution during the distribution.

Replication and preferential inheritance of hypersuppressive petite mitochondrial DNA

Wild-type yeast mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited biparentally, whereas mtDNA of hypersuppressive petite mutants is inherited uniparentally in crosses to strains with wild-type mtDNA. Genomes of hypersuppressive petites contain a conserved ori sequence that includes a promoter, but it is unclear whether the ori confers a segregation or replication advantage. Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis of wild-type and petite mtDNAs in crosses reveals no preferential segregation of hypersuppressive petite mtDNA to first zygotic buds. We identify single-stranded DNA circles and RNA-primed DNA replication intermediates in hypersuppressive petite mtDNA that are absent from non-hypersuppressive petites. Mutating the promoter blocks hypersuppressiveness in crosses to wild-type strains and eliminates the distinctive replication intermediates. We propose that promoter-dependent RNA-primed replication accounts for the uniparental inheritance of hypersuppressive petite mtDNA.

Binding of human mitochondrial transcription factor A, an HMG box protein, to a four-way DNA junction

Mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA), the only known transcription factor in mitochondria, is also implicated in maintenance of mitochondrial genome although little is elucidated about its molecular basis. mtTFA is a member of HMG box proteins family. Some HMG proteins bind with high affinity to four-way DNA junctions that mimic a Holliday structure, a putative intermediate in DNA recombination. To explore possible involvement of a Holliday-like structure in the maintenance of mitochondrial genome, we examine the binding of recombinant human mtTFA to a synthetic four-way DNA junction. The human mtTFA binds to the four-way DNA junction with an approximately 10-fold higher affinity than to the corresponding linear duplex DNA and with essentially the same affinity as to a 40-mer DNA containing the human mitochondrial light strand promoter sequence. The mtTFA binds to the four-way as a monomer. Both of the two HMG box domains of human mtTFA are required for the high affinity binding to the four-way junction.

Mitochondria--tool for taxonomic identification of yeasts from Saccharomyces sensu stricto complex

Mitochondrial genomes of Saccharomyces and close relatives previously used for transplacement of mitochondria to S. cerevisiae were examined. The origins of replication in mitochondrial DNA, the presence of nuclear and mitochondrial polymorphic loci and the ability to produce mitochondrial respiration-deficient mutants were used to reclassify some collection yeasts and to assign others into four separate subgroups. The first included isolates identical to Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. italicus, S. oviformis, S. chevalieri and S. capensis) which possess 5 or more replication origins. The second group consists of S paradoxus (var douglasii) mitochondrial genome with the equal number of ori sequences but incompatible mitochondria. The third group represents Saccharomyces sensu stricto petite-positive species (S. carlsbergensis, S. heterogenicus, S. uvarum, S. willianus) with 1-2 origins of replication significantly different from S. cerevisiae. In addition, the locus between tRNA(fMet) and tRNA(Pro) is about one-half of the 1400 bp members of S. cerevisiae complex. The last group includes isolates that do not belong to Saccharomyces sensu stricto group as they are petite-negative and devoid of any S. cerevisiae-like replication origins.

The petite mutation in yeasts: 50 years on

Fifty years ago it was reported that baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, can form "petite colonie" mutants when treated with the DNA-targeting drug acriflavin. To mark the jubilee of studies on cytoplasmic inheritance, a review of the early work will be presented together with some observations on current developments. The primary emphasis is to address the questions of how loss of mtDNA leads to lethality (rho 0-lethality) in petite-negative yeasts and how S. cerevisiae tolerates elimination of mtDNA. Recent investigation have revealed that rho 0-lethality can be suppressed by specific mutations in the alpha, beta, and gamma subunits of the mitochondrial F1-ATPase of the petite-negative yeast Kluyveromyces lactis and by the nuclear ptp alleles in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. In contrast, inactivation of genes coding for F1-ATPase alpha and beta subunits and disruption of AAC2, PGS1/PEL1, and YME1 genes in S. cerevisiae convert this petite-positive yeast into a petite-negative form. Studies on nuclear genes affecting dependence on mtDNA have provided important insight into the functions provided by the mitochondrial genome and the maintenance of structural and functional integrity of the mitochondrial inner membrane.

The complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The currently available yeast mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence is incomplete, contains many errors and is derived from several polymorphic strains. Here, we report that the mtDNA sequence of the strain used for nuclear genome sequencing assembles into a circular map of 85,779 bp which includes 10 kb of new sequence. We give a list of seven small hypothetical open reading frames (ORFs). Hot spots of point mutations are found in exons near the insertion sites of optional mobile group I intron-related sequences. Our data suggest that shuffling of mobile elements plays an important role in the remodelling of the yeast mitochondrial genome.

Transcription-dependent DNA transactions in the mitochondrial genome of a yeast hypersuppressive petite mutant

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains highly conserved sequences, called rep/ori, that are associated with several aspects of its metabolism. These rep/ori sequences confer the transmission advantage exhibited by a class of deletion mutants called hypersuppressive petite mutants. In addition, because they share features with the mitochondrial leading-strand DNA replication origin of mammals, rep/ori sequences have also been proposed to participate in mtDNA replication initiation. Like the mammalian origins, where transcription is used as a priming mechanism for DNA synthesis, yeast rep/ori sequences contain an active promoter. Although transcription is required for maintenance of wild-type mtDNA in yeast, the role of the rep/ori promoter as a cis-acting element involved in the replication of wild-type mtDNA is unclear, since mitochondrial deletion mutants need neither transcription nor a rep/ori sequence to maintain their genome. Similarly, transcription from the rep/ori promoter does not seem to be necessary for biased inheritance of mtDNA. As a step to elucidate the function of the rep/ori promoter, we have attempted to detect transcription-dependent DNA transactions in the mtDNA of a hypersuppressive petite mutant. We have examined the mtDNA of the well-characterized petite mutant a-1/1R/Z1, whose repeat unit shelters the rep/ori sequence ori1, in strains carrying either wild-type or null alleles of the nuclear genes encoding the mitochondrial transcription apparatus. Complex DNA transactions were detected that take place around GC-cluster C, an evolutionarily conserved GC-rich sequence block immediately downstream from the rep/ori promoter. These transactions are strictly dependent upon mitochondrial transcription.

Precise mapping and characterization of the RNA primers of DNA replication for a yeast hypersuppressive petite by in vitro capping with guanylyltransferase

The active origins of DNA replication for yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mitochondrial DNA share 280 conserved base pairs and have a promoter. Since intact replication intermediates retain their initiating ribonucleotide triphosphate, we used guanylyltransferase to in vitro cap the replication intermediates present in restriction enzyme-cut DNA from an ori-5 hypersuppressive petite. Restriction mapping and RNA sequencing of these labeled intermediates showed that each DNA strand is primed at a single discrete nucleotide, that one primer starts at the promoter and that the other primer starts 34 nt away, outside the conserved region. Deoxyribonuclease digestion of the capped fragments left resistant RNA primers, which enabled identification of zones of transition from RNA to DNA synthesis. Some of the results contradict the prevailing model for priming at the yeast mitochondrial origins.

Initiation of DNA replication at palindromic telomeres is mediated by a duplex-to-hairpin transition induced by the minute virus of mice nonstructural protein NS1

The linear single-stranded DNA genome of the minute virus of mice (MVM) is replicated via a double-stranded replicative form (RF) intermediate. Amplification of this RF is initiated by the folding-back of palindromic sequences serving as primers for strand-displacement synthesis and formation of dimeric RF DNA. Using an in vitro replication assay and a cloned MVM DNA template, we observed hairpin-primed DNA replication at both MVM DNA termini, with a bias toward right-end initiation. Initiation of DNA replication is favored by nuclear components of A9 cell extract and highly stimulated by the MVM nonstructural protein NS1. Hairpin-primed DNA replication is also observed in the presence of NS1 and the Klenow fragment of the Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. Addition of ATPgammaS (adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate)) blocks the initiation of DNA replication but not the extension of pre-existing hairpin primers formed in the presence of NS1 only. The NS1-mediated unwinding of the right-end palindrome may account for the recently reported capacity of NS1 for driving dimer RF synthesis in vitro.

Mitochondrial DNA maintenance in vertebrates

The discovery that mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can be pathogenic in humans has increased interest in understanding mtDNA maintenance. The functional state of mtDNA requires a great number of factors for gene expression, DNA replication, and DNA repair. These processes are ultimately controlled by the cell nucleus, because the requisite proteins are all encoded by nuclear genes and imported into the mitochondrion. DNA replication and transcription are linked in vertebrate mitochondria because RNA transcripts initiated at the light-strand promoter are the primers for mtDNA replication at the heavy-strand origin. Study of this transcription-primed DNA replication mechanism has led to isolation of key factors involved in mtDNA replication and transcription and to elucidation of unique nucleic acid structures formed at this origin. Because features of a transcription-primed mechanism appear to be conserved in vertebrates, a general model for initiation of vertebrate heavy-strand DNA synthesis is proposed. In many organisms, mtDNA maintenance requires not only faithful mtDNA replication, but also mtDNA repair and recombination. The extent to which these latter two processes are involved in mtDNA maintenance in vertebrates is also appraised.

Analysis of mitochondrial DNA nucleoids in wild-type and a mutant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that lacks the mitochondrial HMG box protein Abf2p

DNA-protein complexes (nucleoids) are believed to be the segregating unit of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A mitochondrial HMG box protein, Abf2p, is needed for maintenance of mtDNA in cells grown on rich dextrose medium, but is dispensible in glycerol grown cells. As visualized by 4',6'-diamino-2-phenylindole staining, mtDNA nucleoids in mutant cells lacking Abf2p ( delta abf2) are diffuse compared with those in wild-type cells. We have isolated mtDNA nucleoids and characterized two mtDNA-protein complexes, termed NCLDp-2 and NCLDs-2, containing distinct but overlapping sets of polypeptides. This protocol yields similar nucleoid complexes from the delta abf2 mutant, although several proteins appear lacking from NCLDs-2. Segments of mtDNA detected with probes to COXII, VAR1 and ori5 sequences are equally sensitive to DNase I digestion in NCLDs-2 and NCLDp-2 from wild-type cells and from the delta abf2 mutant. However, COXII and VAR1 sequences are 4-to 5-fold more sensitive to DNase I digestion of mtDNA in toluene-permeabilized mitochondria from the delta abf2 mutant than from wild-type cells, but no difference in DNase I sensitivity was detected with the ori5 probe. These results provide a first indication that Abf2p influences differential organization of mtDNA sequences.

Linear mitochondrial genome organization in vivo in the genus Pythium

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of isolates of Pythium oligandrum with linear mitochondrial genomes revealed a distinct band in ethidium bromide-stained gels similar in size to values estimated by restriction mapping of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Southern analysis confirmed that these bands were mtDNA and indicated that linear genomes were present in unit-length size as well as multimers. Isolates of this species with circular mtDNA restriction maps also had low levels of linear mono- and multimers visualized by Southern analysis of PFGE gels. Examination of 17 additional species revealed similar results; three species had distinct linear mtDNA bands in ethidium bromide-stained gels while the remainder had linear mono- and multi-mers in lower amounts detected only by Southern analysis. Sequence analysis of an isolate of P. oligandrum with a primarily circular mitochondrial genomic map and a low amount of linear molecules revealed that the small unique region of the circular map (which corresponded to the terminal region of linear genomes) was flanked by palindromic intrastrand complementary sequences separated by a unique 194-bp sequence. Sequences with similarity to ATPase9 coding regions from other organisms were located adjacent to this region. Sequences with similarity to mitochondrial origins of replication and autonomously replicating sequences were also located in this region: their potential involvement in the generation of linear molecules is discussed.

Molecular cloning and complete nucleotide sequence of the repeated unit and flanking gene of the scallop Pecten maximus mitochondrial DNA: putative replication origin features

In the bivalve mollusc Pecten maximus, the size of the mitochondrial DNA molecules ranges from 20 to 25.8 kbp. This variability is mainly correlated with the occurrence of a variable domain composed with two to five 1.6-kbp repeated units tandemly arrayed in the genome. DNA fragments spanning the 1,586-base-pair-long repeated element and the nearest flanking gene have been cloned and sequenced. This sequence was analyzed regarding its base composition and potential secondary structures. The repeated unit domain was positioned and oriented with regard to the known flanking gene. It ends 2 base pairs upstream relative to the beginning of the tRNAgly gene. The peculiar properties of the repeated unit were compared with those of the 1,442-bp repeated element found in the mitochondrial genome of the deep sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus. This comparison provided evidence for the absence of nucleotide conservation, except for a small sequence engaged in a secondary structure, but argued for a strong pressure maintaining domains with specific nucleotide content. A possible role for the conserved sequence is discussed.

A developmentally regulated chromosomal origin of replication uses essential transcription elements

Only one of the two chromosomes in the asymmetric Caulobacter predivisional cell initiates replication in the progeny cells. Transcription from a strong promoter within the origin occurs uniquely from the replication-competent chromosome at the stalked pole of the predivisional cell. This regulated promoter has an unusual sequence organization, and transcription from this promoter is essential for regulated (cell type-specific) replication. Our analysis defines a new class of bacterial origins and suggests a coupling between transcription and replication that is consistent with the phylogenetic relationship of Caulobacter to the ancestral mitochondrion.

A persistent RNA-DNA hybrid is formed during transcription at a phylogenetically conserved mitochondrial DNA sequence

Critical features of the mitochondrial leading-strand DNA replication origin are conserved from Saccharomyces cerevisiae to humans. These include a promoter and a downstream GC-rich sequence block (CSBII) that encodes rGs within the primer RNA. During in vitro transcription at yeast mitochondrial replication origins, there is stable and persistent RNA-DNA hybrid formation that begins at the 5' end of the rG region. The short rG-dC sequence is the necessary and sufficient nucleic acid element for establishing stable hybrids, and the presence of rGs within the RNA strand of the RNA-DNA hybrid is required. The efficiency of hybrid formation depends on the length of RNA synthesized 5' to CSBII and the type of RNA polymerase employed. Once made, the RNA strand of an RNA-DNA hybrid can serve as an effective primer for mitochondrial DNA polymerase. These results reveal a new mechanism for persistent RNA-DNA hybrid formation and suggest a step in priming mitochondrial DNA replication that requires both mitochondrial RNA polymerase and an rG-dC sequence-specific event to form an extensive RNA-DNA hybrid.

Nucleo-mitochondrial interactions in mitochondrial gene expression

All proteins encoded by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are dependent on proteins encoded by nuclear genes for their synthesis and function. Recent developments in the identification of these genes and the elucidation of the roles their products play at various stages of mitochondrial gene expression are covered in this review, which focuses mainly on work with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The high degree of evolutionary conservation of many cellular processes between this yeast and higher eukaryotes, the ease with which mitochondrial biogenesis can be manipulated both genetically and physiologically, and the fact that it will be the first organism for which a complete genomic sequence will be available within the next 2 to 3 years makes it the organism of choice for drawing up an inventory of all nuclear genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and for the identification of their counterparts in other organisms.

Lack of site-specific recombination between mitochondrial genomes of petite mutants of yeast

Previous work from our laboratory showed that mitochondrial (mt) genomes, with tandem repeat units, from spontaneous, cytoplasmic petite mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae do not exhibit site-specific recombination in petite x petite crosses [Rayko et al., Gene 63 (1988) 213-226]. Here, we have extended and confirmed these observations by studying other crosses of petites with tandem repeat units, as well as crosses in which one of the parents was, instead, an unstable petite, a-15/4/1, having a palindromic mt genome. In no case was site-specific recombination of the parental mt genomes observed. Progeny cells harbored mt genomes derived from either one or both of the two parents, as shown by analysis of restriction fragments. In the case of biparental inheritance, extensive subcloning of the diploids showed that this was due to a persistent heteroplasmic state and not to intermolecular recombination. The 'new' restriction fragments present in the mt DNA from some diploids were shown to be derived from the unstable parental genome, a-15/4/1, by a secondary excision process. Lack of site-specific recombination is, therefore, not only a feature of crosses involving petite genomes made up of tandem repeat units, but also of crosses in which one parental genome consists of inverted repeats and frequently originates secondary petite genomes formed by tandem repeats. Previous reports of mt recombination in petite mutants are discussed in light of these results.

Conserved features of yeast and mammalian mitochondrial DNA replication

Mammalian mitochondrial DNA replication is initiated by the processing of RNA transcripts derived from an upstream promoter to create RNA primers for DNA replication. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mitochondrial ori/rep sequences contain a transcription promoter upstream of the site of transition from RNA to DNA synthesis, suggesting a common mode of replication initiation. Recent research has identified features in the mode and machinery of DNA replication conserved from yeast to mammals.

Yeast site-specific ribonucleoprotein endoribonuclease MRP contains an RNA component homologous to mammalian RNase MRP RNA and essential for cell viability

RNase MRP is a site-specific ribonucleoprotein endoribonuclease that cleaves RNA sequence complementary to mammalian mitochondrial origins of replication in a manner consistent with a role in primer RNA metabolism. The same activity in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has recently been identified; it cleaves an RNA substrate complementary to a yeast mitochondrial origin of replication at an exact site of linkage of RNA to DNA. We have purified this yeast enzyme further and detect a single, novel RNA of 340 nucleotides associated with the enzymatic activity. The single-copy nuclear gene for this RNA was sequenced and mapped to the right arm of chromosome XIV. The identity of the clone, as encoding the RNA copurifying with enzymatic activity, was confirmed by a match to the directly determined sequence of the RNA. The gene sequence also identified a 340-nucleotide RNA in total yeast RNA and in purified RNase MRP enzyme preparations. Inspection of the sequence of the yeast RNA revealed homologies to the RNA component of mouse RNase MRP, 49% overall with specific regions of much greater similarity. The flanking regions of the gene showed characteristics of an RNA polymerase II transcription unit, including a TATAAA box and a 7/8 match to the yeast cell cycle box UAS. The RNase MRP RNA gene was deleted by insertional replacement and found to be essential for cellular viability, indicating a critical nuclear role for RNase MRP.

Rainbow trout mitochondrial DNA: sequence and structural characteristics of the non-coding control region and flanking tRNA genes

We have determined the sequence of the 1003-bp control region (also referred to as the 'displacement-loop region') and flanking tRNA genes in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. This region has the same overall structure (i.e., trnT-trnP-control region-trnF) as in mammalian and amphibian (Xenopus laevis) mitochondrial (mt)DNAs. The trout control region contains apparent homologues of the conserved sequence blocks (CSB) and termination-associated sequences identified in all other vertebrate mtDNA control regions; however, it is distinguished by having an imperfect direct repeat (68/73 bp; 77% positional identity) in the right domain (proximal to the phenylalanine tRNA gene), downstream from CSB-3 in the direction of heavy-strand transcription. Within the control region, rainbow trout mtDNA shares considerable sequence similarity with the mtDNAs of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua (Johansen et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 18 (1990) 411-419] and white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus (Buroker et al., Genetics 124 (1990) 157-163). The highest level of identity in pairwise comparisons is 60-70% over about 80 bp in the right domain (encompassing CSB-2 and CSB-3). About 270 bp comprising the central domain of the control region (encompassing a polypyrimidine tract) are more moderately conserved (55-60% identity in pairwise comparisons), while the left domain is highly divergent. Comparison of five trout mitochondrial tRNA sequences with their human and X. laevis homologues emphasizes the strong A+T substitution bias shown by the human sequences.

Genetic approaches to the study of mitochondrial biogenesis in yeast

In contrast to most other organisms, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae can survive without functional mitochondria. This ability has been exploited in genetic approaches to the study of mitochondrial biogenesis. In the last two decades, mitochondrial genetics have made major contributions to the identification of genes on the mitochondrial genome, the mapping of these genes and the establishment of structure-function relationships in the products they encode. In parallel, more than 200 complementation groups, corresponding to as many nuclear genes necessary for mitochondrial function or biogenesis have been described. Many of the latter are required for post-transcriptional events in mitochondrial gene expression, including the processing of mitochondrial pre-RNAs, the translation of mitochondrial mRNAs, or the assembly of mitochondrial translation products into the membrane. The aim of this review is to describe the genetic approaches used to unravel the intricacies of mitochondrial biogenesis and to summarize recent insights gained from their application.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains an RNase MRP that cleaves at a conserved mitochondrial RNA sequence implicated in replication priming

Yeast mitochondrial DNA contains multiple promoters that sponsor different levels of transcription. Several promoters are individually located immediately adjacent to presumed origins of replication and have been suggested to play a role in priming of DNA replication. Although yeast mitochondrial DNA replication origins have not been extensively characterized at the primary sequence level, a common feature of these putative origins is the occurrence of a short guanosine-rich region in the priming strand downstream of the transcriptional start site. This situation is reminiscent of vertebrate mitochondrial DNA origins and raises the possibility of common features of origin function. In the case of human and mouse cells, there exists an RNA processing activity with the capacity to cleave at a guanosine-rich mitochondrial RNA sequence at an origin; we therefore sought the existence of a yeast endoribonuclease that had such a specificity. Whole cell and mitochondrial extracts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain an RNase that cleaves yeast mitochondrial RNA in a site-specific manner similar to that of the human and mouse RNA processing activity RNase MRP. The exact location of cleavage within yeast mitochondrial RNA corresponds to a mapped site of transition from RNA to DNA synthesis. The yeast activity also cleaved mammalian mitochondrial RNA in a fashion similar to that of the mammalian RNase MRPs. The yeast endonuclease is a ribonucleoprotein, as judged by its sensitivity to nucleases and proteinase, and it was present in yeast strains lacking mitochondrial DNA, which demonstrated that all components required for in vitro cleavage are encoded by nuclear genes. We conclude that this RNase is the yeast RNase MRP.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains an RNase MRP that cleaves at a conserved mitochondrial RNA sequence implicated in replication priming

Yeast mitochondrial DNA contains multiple promoters that sponsor different levels of transcription. Several promoters are individually located immediately adjacent to presumed origins of replication and have been suggested to play a role in priming of DNA replication. Although yeast mitochondrial DNA replication origins have not been extensively characterized at the primary sequence level, a common feature of these putative origins is the occurrence of a short guanosine-rich region in the priming strand downstream of the transcriptional start site. This situation is reminiscent of vertebrate mitochondrial DNA origins and raises the possibility of common features of origin function. In the case of human and mouse cells, there exists an RNA processing activity with the capacity to cleave at a guanosine-rich mitochondrial RNA sequence at an origin; we therefore sought the existence of a yeast endoribonuclease that had such a specificity. Whole cell and mitochondrial extracts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain an RNase that cleaves yeast mitochondrial RNA in a site-specific manner similar to that of the human and mouse RNA processing activity RNase MRP. The exact location of cleavage within yeast mitochondrial RNA corresponds to a mapped site of transition from RNA to DNA synthesis. The yeast activity also cleaved mammalian mitochondrial RNA in a fashion similar to that of the mammalian RNase MRPs. The yeast endonuclease is a ribonucleoprotein, as judged by its sensitivity to nucleases and proteinase, and it was present in yeast strains lacking mitochondrial DNA, which demonstrated that all components required for in vitro cleavage are encoded by nuclear genes. We conclude that this RNase is the yeast RNase MRP.

Assignment of a yeast protein necessary for mitochondrial transcription initiation

Yeast mitochondrial DNA contains multiple promoters that are responsible for expression of its genes. The basic yeast mitochondrial promoter consists of a nonanucleotide consensus sequence [5'-ATATAAGTA(+1)-3'] that must be recognized by transcription proteins, including mitochondrial RNA polymerase and any relevant trans-acting factors. Since mitochondrial RNA polymerase alone appeared unable to recognize a mitochondrial promoter, we examined the effects of providing accessory proteins to enable promoter function. After expression in Escherichia coli or purification from yeast mitochondria, two proteins were tested; they were ABF2 (a structural homologue of the human mitochondrial transcriptional activator mtTF1) and MTF1 (the gene product of a yeast locus known to exhibit a mitochondrial transcription phenotype). The results show that MTF1 specifies correct transcriptional initiation while ABF2 does not. We conclude that MTF1 is an essential key protein in yeast mitochondrial promoter function. Considering the increasing complexity of the mitochondrial transcription apparatus, we propose a nomenclature system for its components.

Transcription and replication of animal mitochondrial DNAs

The development of in vitro transcription and replication systems has allowed the identification of promoter sequences and origins of replication for several animal mtDNAs. As a consequence, the necessary reagents and basic information are available to permit the characterization of transacting factors that are required for transcription and replication. All of the animal trans-acting species purified at this time are known or reasoned to be nuclear gene products. There is now the opportunity to learn how these nuclear genes are regulated and the mechanisms that are utilized for the import of their products into the organelle. With regard to import, the human transcription factor mtTF1 appears to have an amino-terminal sequence characteristic of other imported mitochondrial proteins (Parisi and Clayton, 1991). An interesting issue is the degree to which fundamental features of mtDNA replication and transcription are conserved between species. With regard to animal mtDNAs, there is very little in the way of conservation of DNA sequence at the promoters and origins of replication. The exceptions to this are the presence of a characteristic stem-loop L-strand origin of replication sequence in vertebrates [except for chicken mtDNA (Desjardins and Morais, 1990)] and the general presence of CSBs II and III (and to a lesser extent CSB I) in most higher animal mtDNAs. Because mtDNA promoters are not highly conserved, it is perhaps not surprising that general cross-species transcription does not occur, except for very limited examples of closely related species and sequences (Chang et al., 1985b). Using crude mtRNA polymerase holoenzyme preparations, there is no specific transcriptional initiation when proteins from human mitochondria are used with mouse mtDNA promoter templates, and vice versa. However, in contrast to this overall observation, purified fractions of human or mouse mtTF1 can be exchanged and shown to function across species boundaries (Fisher et al., 1989). The ability of mitochondrial mtTF1-type proteins to operate across even greater evolutionary distances was suggested by the ability of human and yeast proteins to recognize some mitochondrial promoter sequences in common (Fisher et al., 1992). More recent studies suggest that human mtTF1 can substitute for its yeast homolog in vivo, and thereby perform at least the most critical functions required to maintain yeast mtDNA in the cell (M.A. Parisi, B. Xu, and D.A. Clayton, submitted for publication). The other sites of conserved macromolecular interactions are related to the two origins of DNA replication.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Two potential Petunia hybrida mitochondrial DNA replication origins show structural and in vitro functional homology with the animal mitochondrial DNA heavy and light strand replication origins

Four Petunia hybrida mitochondrial (mt) DNA fragments have been isolated, sequenced, localized on the physical map and analyzed for their ability to initiate specific DNA synthesis. When all four mtDNA fragments were tested as templates in an in vitro DNA synthesizing lysate system, developed from purified P. hybrida mitochondria, specific initiation of DNA synthesis could only be observed starting within two fragments, oriA and oriB. When DNA synthesis incubations were performed with DNA templates consisting of both the A and B origins in the same plasmid in complementary strands, DNA synthesis first initiates in the A-origin, proceeds in the direction of the B-origin after which replication is also initiated in the B-origin. Based on these observations, a replication model for the P. hybrida mitochondrial genome is presented.

Sequence rearrangements at the ori 7 region of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial DNA

Three ori elements (ori 2, ori 5, and ori 7) have been sequenced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain Dip 2 and compared to the equivalent ori elements of a second strain (B). Both ori 2 and ori 5 exhibit 98% base matching between strains Dip 2 and B. In contrast, the third ori element (ori 7) exhibits extensive sequence rearrangements whereby a segment located downstream in the consensus strain occurs within the ori structure in Dip 2. This represents a novel polymorphic form of the yeast mitochondrial genome.

Characterization of a novel plasmid-like element in Neurospora crassa derived mostly from the mitochondrial DNA

We have identified a plasmid-like element within mitochondria of Neurospora crassa strain stp-B1. It is derived from the EcoRI-4 and EcoRI-6 regions of the mitochondrial DNA, and an additional 124 bp DNA segment of unknown origin. The plasmid DNA consists of an oligomeric series of circular molecules of monomer length 2.2 kbp. The abundance of the plasmid suggests its autonomous replication and the presence of an efficient origin of replication. An unusually large number of palindromes capable of forming secondary structures are present in the plasmid. Such a palindrome, located near sequences reminiscent of mammalian and fungal mtDNA origins of replication, may define the replication origin of the plasmid. This putative origin might also represent the replication origin of the wild-type mtDNA.

Conversion at large intergenic regions of mitochondrial DNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial DNA deletion mutants have been used to examine whether base-biased intergenic regions of the genome influence mitochondrial biogenesis. One strain (delta 5.0) lacks a 5-kilobase (kb) segment extending from the proline tRNA gene to the small rRNA gene that includes ori1, while a second strain (delta 3.7) is missing a 3.7-kb region between the genes for ATPase subunit 6 and glutamic acid tRNA that encompasses ori7 plus ori2. Growth of these strains on both fermentable and nonfermentable substrates does not differ from growth of the wild-type strain, indicating that the deletable regions of the genome do not play a direct role in the expression of mitochondrial genes. Examination of whether the 5- or 3.7-kb regions influence mitochondrial DNA transmission was undertaken by crossing strains and examining mitochondrial genotypes in zygotic colonies. In a cross between strain delta 5.0, harboring three active ori elements (ori2, ori3, and ori5), and strain delta 3.7, containing only two active ori elements (ori3 and ori5), there is a preferential recovery of the genome containing two active ori elements (37% of progeny) over that containing three active elements (20%). This unexpected result, suggesting that active ori elements do not influence transmission of respiratory-competent genomes, is interpreted to reflect a preferential conversion of the delta 5.0 genome to the wild type (41% of progeny). Supporting evidence for conversion over biased transmission is shown by preferential recovery of a nonparental genome in the progeny of a heterozygous cross in which both parental molecules can be identified by size polymorphisms.

Hypersensitive mung bean nuclease cleavage sites in Plasmodium knowlesi DNA

Nucleotide sequences of Plasmodium knowlesi DNA that are cleaved by mung bean nuclease (Mbn) at low enzyme concentration (0.2 units enzyme per micrograms DNA) are listed. They are tandemly repeated purine/pyrimidine (RpY) stretches of DNA with (ApT) dimers predominating. Most cut sites are within almost 100% RpY tracts. The enzyme cleaves at many points within the RpY stretch and usually hydrolyzes the 5'-ApT-3' linkage. These alternating RpY target sites are flanked by homopurine and homopyrimidine stretches. At least one Mbn target site lies next to an in vivo transcribed region.

Conversion at large intergenic regions of mitochondrial DNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial DNA deletion mutants have been used to examine whether base-biased intergenic regions of the genome influence mitochondrial biogenesis. One strain (delta 5.0) lacks a 5-kilobase (kb) segment extending from the proline tRNA gene to the small rRNA gene that includes ori1, while a second strain (delta 3.7) is missing a 3.7-kb region between the genes for ATPase subunit 6 and glutamic acid tRNA that encompasses ori7 plus ori2. Growth of these strains on both fermentable and nonfermentable substrates does not differ from growth of the wild-type strain, indicating that the deletable regions of the genome do not play a direct role in the expression of mitochondrial genes. Examination of whether the 5- or 3.7-kb regions influence mitochondrial DNA transmission was undertaken by crossing strains and examining mitochondrial genotypes in zygotic colonies. In a cross between strain delta 5.0, harboring three active ori elements (ori2, ori3, and ori5), and strain delta 3.7, containing only two active ori elements (ori3 and ori5), there is a preferential recovery of the genome containing two active ori elements (37% of progeny) over that containing three active elements (20%). This unexpected result, suggesting that active ori elements do not influence transmission of respiratory-competent genomes, is interpreted to reflect a preferential conversion of the delta 5.0 genome to the wild type (41% of progeny). Supporting evidence for conversion over biased transmission is shown by preferential recovery of a nonparental genome in the progeny of a heterozygous cross in which both parental molecules can be identified by size polymorphisms.