1
|
Fu Y, Jiang F, Zhang X, Pan Y, Xu R, Liang X, Wu X, Li X, Lin K, Shi R, Zhang X, Ferrandon D, Liu J, Pei D, Wang J, Wang T. Perturbation of METTL1-mediated tRNA N 7- methylguanosine modification induces senescence and aging. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5713. [PMID: 38977661 PMCID: PMC11231295 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49796-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence is characterized by a decrease in protein synthesis, although the underlying processes are mostly unclear. Chemical modifications to transfer RNAs (tRNAs) frequently influence tRNA activity, which is crucial for translation. We describe how tRNA N7-methylguanosine (m7G46) methylation, catalyzed by METTL1-WDR4, regulates translation and influences senescence phenotypes. Mettl1/Wdr4 and m7G gradually diminish with senescence and aging. A decrease in METTL1 causes a reduction in tRNAs, especially those with the m7G modification, via the rapid tRNA degradation (RTD) pathway. The decreases cause ribosomes to stall at certain codons, impeding the translation of mRNA that is essential in pathways such as Wnt signaling and ribosome biogenesis. Furthermore, chronic ribosome stalling stimulates the ribotoxic and integrative stress responses, which induce senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Moreover, restoring eEF1A protein mitigates senescence phenotypes caused by METTL1 deficiency by reducing RTD. Our findings demonstrate that tRNA m7G modification is essential for preventing premature senescence and aging by enabling efficient mRNA translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yudong Fu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yingyi Pan
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Xu
- Department of pediatrics, Foshan maternal and children's hospital affiliated to southern medical university, 528000, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiu Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofen Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Kaixuan Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruona Shi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofei Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dominique Ferrandon
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Modèles Insectes de l'Immunité Innée, UPR 9022 du CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jing Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou, China
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Joint School of Lifesciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China, Guangzhou Medical University, 511436, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Duanqing Pei
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
- GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou, China.
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
- Joint School of Lifesciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China, Guangzhou Medical University, 511436, Guangzhou, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Tao Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
- GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou, China.
- GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tresky R, Miyamoto Y, Nagayoshi Y, Yabuki Y, Araki K, Takahashi Y, Komohara Y, Ge H, Nishiguchi K, Fukuda T, Kaneko H, Maeda N, Matsuura J, Iwasaki S, Sakakida K, Shioda N, Wei FY, Tomizawa K, Chujo T. TRMT10A dysfunction perturbs codon translation of initiator methionine and glutamine and impairs brain functions in mice. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae520. [PMID: 38950903 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
In higher eukaryotes, tRNA methyltransferase 10A (TRMT10A) is responsible for N1-methylguanosine modification at position nine of various cytoplasmic tRNAs. Pathogenic mutations in TRMT10A cause intellectual disability, microcephaly, diabetes, and short stature in humans, and generate cytotoxic tRNA fragments in cultured cells; however, it is not clear how TRMT10A supports codon translation or brain functions. Here, we generated Trmt10a null mice and showed that tRNAGln(CUG) and initiator methionine tRNA levels were universally decreased in various tissues; the same was true in a human cell line lacking TRMT10A. Ribosome profiling of mouse brain revealed that dysfunction of TRMT10A causes ribosome slowdown at the Gln(CAG) codon and increases translation of Atf4 due to higher frequency of leaky scanning of its upstream open reading frames. Broadly speaking, translation of a subset of mRNAs, especially those for neuronal structures, is perturbed in the mutant brain. Despite not showing discernable defects in the pancreas, liver, or kidney, Trmt10a null mice showed lower body weight and smaller hippocampal postsynaptic densities, which is associated with defective synaptic plasticity and memory. Taken together, our study provides mechanistic insight into the roles of TRMT10A in the brain, and exemplifies the importance of universal tRNA modification during translation of specific codons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roland Tresky
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yuta Miyamoto
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yu Nagayoshi
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yasushi Yabuki
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Kimi Araki
- Division of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Yukie Takahashi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Komohara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Huicong Ge
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Kayo Nishiguchi
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Takaichi Fukuda
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hitomi Kaneko
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Nobuko Maeda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Jin Matsuura
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Shintaro Iwasaki
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
| | - Kourin Sakakida
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Norifumi Shioda
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Fan-Yan Wei
- Department of Modomics Biology and Medicine, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Tomizawa
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Takeshi Chujo
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ward C, Beharry A, Tennakoon R, Rozik P, Wilhelm SDP, Heinemann IU, O’Donoghue P. Mechanisms and Delivery of tRNA Therapeutics. Chem Rev 2024; 124:7976-8008. [PMID: 38801719 PMCID: PMC11212642 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) therapeutics will provide personalized and mutation specific medicines to treat human genetic diseases for which no cures currently exist. The tRNAs are a family of adaptor molecules that interpret the nucleic acid sequences in our genes into the amino acid sequences of proteins that dictate cell function. Humans encode more than 600 tRNA genes. Interestingly, even healthy individuals contain some mutant tRNAs that make mistakes. Missense suppressor tRNAs insert the wrong amino acid in proteins, and nonsense suppressor tRNAs read through premature stop signals to generate full length proteins. Mutations that underlie many human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and diverse rare genetic disorders, result from missense or nonsense mutations. Thus, specific tRNA variants can be strategically deployed as therapeutic agents to correct genetic defects. We review the mechanisms of tRNA therapeutic activity, the nature of the therapeutic window for nonsense and missense suppression as well as wild-type tRNA supplementation. We discuss the challenges and promises of delivering tRNAs as synthetic RNAs or as gene therapies. Together, tRNA medicines will provide novel treatments for common and rare genetic diseases in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cian Ward
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Aruun Beharry
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Rasangi Tennakoon
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Peter Rozik
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Sarah D. P. Wilhelm
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Ilka U. Heinemann
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Patrick O’Donoghue
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Schultz SK, Katanski CD, Halucha M, Peña N, Fahlman RP, Pan T, Kothe U. Modifications in the T arm of tRNA globally determine tRNA maturation, function, and cellular fitness. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2401154121. [PMID: 38889150 PMCID: PMC11214086 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2401154121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Almost all elongator tRNAs (Transfer RNAs) harbor 5-methyluridine 54 and pseudouridine 55 in the T arm, generated by the enzymes TrmA and TruB, respectively, in Escherichia coli. TrmA and TruB both act as tRNA chaperones, and strains lacking trmA or truB are outcompeted by wild type. Here, we investigate how TrmA and TruB contribute to cellular fitness. Deletion of trmA and truB in E. coli causes a global decrease in aminoacylation and alters other tRNA modifications such as acp3U47. While overall protein synthesis is not affected in ΔtrmA and ΔtruB strains, the translation of a subset of codons is significantly impaired. As a consequence, we observe translationally reduced expression of many specific proteins, that are either encoded with a high frequency of these codons or that are large proteins. The resulting proteome changes are not related to a specific growth phenotype, but overall cellular fitness is impaired upon deleting trmA and truB in accordance with a general protein synthesis impact. In conclusion, we demonstrate that universal modifications of the tRNA T arm are critical for global tRNA function by enhancing tRNA maturation, tRNA aminoacylation, and translation, thereby improving cellular fitness irrespective of the growth conditions which explains the conservation of trmA and truB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Schultz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MBR3T 2N2, Canada
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, ABT1K 3M4, Canada
| | | | - Mateusz Halucha
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
| | - Noah Peña
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
| | - Richard P. Fahlman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, ABT6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Tao Pan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
| | - Ute Kothe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MBR3T 2N2, Canada
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, ABT1K 3M4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Throll P, G Dolce L, Rico-Lastres P, Arnold K, Tengo L, Basu S, Kaiser S, Schneider R, Kowalinski E. Structural basis of tRNA recognition by the m 3C RNA methyltransferase METTL6 in complex with SerRS seryl-tRNA synthetase. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024:10.1038/s41594-024-01341-3. [PMID: 38918637 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01341-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Methylation of cytosine 32 in the anticodon loop of tRNAs to 3-methylcytosine (m3C) is crucial for cellular translation fidelity. Misregulation of the RNA methyltransferases setting this modification can cause aggressive cancers and metabolic disturbances. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the human m3C tRNA methyltransferase METTL6 in complex with seryl-tRNA synthetase (SerRS) and their common substrate tRNASer. Through the complex structure, we identify the tRNA-binding domain of METTL6. We show that SerRS acts as the tRNASer substrate selection factor for METTL6. We demonstrate that SerRS augments the methylation activity of METTL6 and that direct contacts between METTL6 and SerRS are necessary for efficient tRNASer methylation. Finally, on the basis of the structure of METTL6 in complex with SerRS and tRNASer, we postulate a universal tRNA-binding mode for m3C RNA methyltransferases, including METTL2 and METTL8, suggesting that these mammalian paralogs use similar ways to engage their respective tRNA substrates and cofactors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Palma Rico-Lastres
- Institute of Functional Epigenetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Arnold
- Institute of Functional Epigenetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Laura Tengo
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Grenoble, France
| | - Shibom Basu
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Grenoble, France
| | - Stefanie Kaiser
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Schneider
- Institute of Functional Epigenetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Eva Kowalinski
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Grenoble, France.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Schultz SK, Kothe U. RNA modifying enzymes shape tRNA biogenesis and function. J Biol Chem 2024:107488. [PMID: 38908752 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are the most highly modified cellular RNAs, both with respect to the proportion of nucleotides that are modified within the tRNA sequence and with respect to the extraordinary diversity in tRNA modification chemistry. However, the functions of many different tRNA modifications are only beginning to emerge. tRNAs have two general clusters of modifications. The first cluster is within the anticodon stem-loop including several modifications essential for protein translation. The second cluster of modifications is within the tRNA elbow, and roles for these modifications are less clear. In general, tRNA elbow modifications are typically not essential for cell growth, but nonetheless several tRNA elbow modifications have been highly conserved throughout all domains of life. In addition to forming modifications, many tRNA modifying enzymes have been demonstrated or hypothesized to additionally play an important role in folding tRNA acting as tRNA chaperones. In this review, we summarize the known functions of tRNA modifying enzymes throughout the lifecycle of a tRNA molecule, from transcription to degradation. Thereby, we describe how tRNA modification and folding by tRNA modifying enzymes enhance tRNA maturation, tRNA aminoacylation, and tRNA function during protein synthesis, ultimately impacting cellular phenotypes and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Schultz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Ute Kothe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Görlitz K, Bessler L, Helm M, Schaffrath R, Klassen R. Fluoropyrimidines trigger decay of hypomodified tRNA in yeast. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:5841-5851. [PMID: 38716877 PMCID: PMC11162795 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic fluoropyrimidines 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) are in long use for treatment of human cancers and severe invasive fungal infections, respectively. 5-Fluorouridine triphosphate represents a bioactive metabolite of both drugs and is incorporated into target cells' RNA. Here we use the model fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae to define fluorinated tRNA as a key mediator of 5-FU and 5-FC cytotoxicity when specific tRNA methylations are absent. tRNA methylation deficiency caused by loss of Trm4 and Trm8 was previously shown to trigger an RNA quality control mechanism resulting in partial destabilization of hypomodified tRNAValAAC. We demonstrate that, following incorporation into tRNA, fluoropyrimidines strongly enhance degradation of yeast tRNAValAAC lacking Trm4 and Trm8 dependent methylations. At elevated temperature, such effect occurs already in absence of Trm8 alone. Genetic approaches and quantification of tRNA modification levels reveal that enhanced fluoropyrimidine cytotoxicity results from additional, drug induced uridine modification loss and activation of tRNAValAAC decay involving the exonuclease Xrn1. These results suggest that inhibition of tRNA methylation may be exploited to boost therapeutic efficiency of 5-FU and 5-FC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Görlitz
- Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology, Universität Kassel, Kassel 34132, Germany
| | - Larissa Bessler
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Mark Helm
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Raffael Schaffrath
- Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology, Universität Kassel, Kassel 34132, Germany
| | - Roland Klassen
- Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology, Universität Kassel, Kassel 34132, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rybak MY, Gagnon MG. Structures of the ribosome bound to EF-Tu-isoleucine tRNA elucidate the mechanism of AUG avoidance. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:810-816. [PMID: 38538914 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01236-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
The frequency of errors upon decoding of messenger RNA by the bacterial ribosome is low, with one misreading event per 1 × 104 codons. In the universal genetic code, the AUN codon box specifies two amino acids, isoleucine and methionine. In bacteria and archaea, decoding specificity of the AUA and AUG codons relies on the wobble avoidance strategy that requires modification of C34 in the anticodon loop of isoleucine transfer RNAIleCAU (tRNAIleCAU). Bacterial tRNAIleCAU with 2-lysylcytidine (lysidine) at the wobble position deciphers AUA while avoiding AUG. Here we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of the Escherichia coli 70S ribosome complexed with elongation factor thermo unstable (EF-Tu) and isoleucine-tRNAIleLAU in the process of decoding AUA and AUG. Lysidine in tRNAIleLAU excludes AUG by promoting the formation of an unusual Hoogsteen purine-pyrimidine nucleobase geometry at the third position of the codon, weakening the interactions with the mRNA and destabilizing the EF-Tu ternary complex. Our findings elucidate the molecular mechanism by which tRNAIleLAU specifically decodes AUA over AUG.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Peptide Elongation Factor Tu/metabolism
- Peptide Elongation Factor Tu/chemistry
- Peptide Elongation Factor Tu/genetics
- Cryoelectron Microscopy
- Escherichia coli/metabolism
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Ribosomes/metabolism
- Ribosomes/ultrastructure
- Ribosomes/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Ile/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer, Ile/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Ile/genetics
- Models, Molecular
- Codon/metabolism
- Codon/genetics
- Anticodon/chemistry
- Anticodon/metabolism
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- Isoleucine/metabolism
- Isoleucine/chemistry
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/chemistry
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Lysine/analogs & derivatives
- Pyrimidine Nucleosides
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariia Yu Rybak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Matthieu G Gagnon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ajmeriya S, Bharti DR, Kumar A, Rana S, Singh H, Karmakar S. In silico approach for the identification of tRNA-derived small non-coding RNAs in SARS-CoV infection. J Appl Genet 2024; 65:403-413. [PMID: 38514586 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-024-00853-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
tsRNAs (tRNA-derived small non-coding RNAs), including tRNA halves (tiRNAs) and tRNA fragments (tRFs), have been implicated in some viral infections, such as respiratory viral infections. However, their involvement in SARS-CoV infection is completely unknown. A comprehensive analysis was performed to determine tsRNA populations in a mouse model of SARS-CoV-infected samples containing the wild-type and attenuated viruses. Data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset at NCBI (accession ID GSE90624 ) was used for this study. A count matrix was generated for the tRNAs. Differentially expressed tRNAs, followed by tsRNAs derived from each significant tRNAs at different conditions and time points between the two groups WT(SARS-CoV-MA15-WT) vs Mock and ΔE (SARS-CoV-MA15-ΔE) vs Mock were identified. Notably, significantly differentially expressed tRNAs at 2dpi but not at 4dpi. The tsRNAs originating from differentially expressed tRNAs across all the samples belonging to each condition (WT, ΔE, and Mock) were identified. Intriguingly, tRFs (tRNA-derived RNA fragments) exhibited higher levels compared to tiRNAs (tRNA-derived stress-induced RNAs) across all samples associated with WT SARS-CoV strain compared to ΔE and mock-infected samples. This discrepancy suggests a non-random formation of tsRNAs, hinting at a possible involvement of tsRNAs in SARS-CoV viral infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Swati Ajmeriya
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepak Ramkumar Bharti
- Trinity Translation Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Amit Kumar
- ICMR-AIIMS Computational Genomics Center, Division of Biomedical Informatics, Division, Indian Council of Medical Research, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Shweta Rana
- ICMR-AIIMS Computational Genomics Center, Division of Biomedical Informatics, Division, Indian Council of Medical Research, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Harpreet Singh
- ICMR-AIIMS Computational Genomics Center, Division of Biomedical Informatics, Division, Indian Council of Medical Research, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Subhradip Karmakar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Militello KT, Leigh J, Pusateri M, Read LK, Vogler D. A role for a Trypanosoma brucei cytosine RNA methyltransferase homolog in ribosomal RNA processing. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298521. [PMID: 38662801 PMCID: PMC11045063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In Trypanosoma brucei, gene expression is primarily regulated posttranscriptionally making RNA metabolism critical. T. brucei has an epitranscriptome containing modified RNA bases. Yet, the identity of the enzymes catalyzing modified RNA base addition and the functions of the enzymes and modifications remain unclear. Homology searches indicate the presence of numerous T. brucei cytosine RNA methyltransferase homologs. One such homolog, TbNop2 was studied in detail. TbNop2 contains the six highly conserved motifs found in cytosine RNA methyltransferases and is evolutionarily related to the Nop2 protein family required for rRNA modification and processing. RNAi experiments targeting TbNop2 resulted in reduced levels of TbNop2 RNA and protein, and a cessation of parasite growth. Next generation sequencing of bisulfite-treated RNA (BS-seq) detected the presence of two methylation sites in the large rRNA; yet TbNop2 RNAi did not result in a significant reduction of methylation. However, TbNop2 RNAi resulted in the retention of 28S internal transcribed spacer RNAs, indicating a role for TbNop2 in rRNA processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T. Militello
- Biology Department, State University of New York at Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Leigh
- Biology Department, State University of New York at Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, United States of America
| | - Matthew Pusateri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Laurie K. Read
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Dineen Vogler
- Biology Department, State University of New York at Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nai F, Flores Espinoza MP, Invernizzi A, Vargas-Rosales PA, Bobileva O, Herok M, Caflisch A. Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the m7G-RNA Writer METTL1. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2024; 4:100-110. [PMID: 38645929 PMCID: PMC11027120 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.3c00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
We discovered the first inhibitors of the m7G-RNA writer METTL1 by high-throughput docking and an enzymatic assay based on luminescence. Eleven compounds, which belong to three different chemotypes, show inhibitory activity in the range 40-300 μM. Two adenine derivatives identified by docking have very favorable ligand efficiency of 0.34 and 0.31 kcal/mol per non-hydrogen atom, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations provide evidence that the inhibitors compete with the binding of the cosubstrate S-adenosyl methionine to METTL1. We also present a soakable crystal form that was used to determine the structure of the complex of METTL1 with sinefungin at a resolution of 1.85 Å.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Nai
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Annalisa Invernizzi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Olga Bobileva
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, Riga LV-1006, Latvia
| | - Marcin Herok
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Amedeo Caflisch
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lin S, Kuang M. RNA modification-mediated mRNA translation regulation in liver cancer: mechanisms and clinical perspectives. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 21:267-281. [PMID: 38243019 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00884-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Malignant liver cancer is characterized by rapid tumour progression and a high mortality rate, whereas the molecular mechanisms underlying liver cancer initiation and progression are still poorly understood. The dynamic and reversible RNA modifications have crucial functions in gene expression regulation by modulating RNA processing and mRNA translation. Emerging evidence has revealed that alterations in RNA modifications facilitate the selective translation of oncogenic transcripts and promote the diverse tumorigenic processes of liver cancer. In this Review, we first highlight the current progress on the functions and mechanisms underlying RNA modifications in the regulation of mRNA translation and then summarize the exciting discoveries on aberrant RNA modification-mediated mRNA translation in the regulation of tumour initiation, metastasis, metabolism, tumour microenvironment, and drug and radiotherapy resistance in liver cancer. Finally, we discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic potentials of targeting RNA modifications and mRNA translation for the clinical management of liver cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuibin Lin
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Ming Kuang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Čáp M, Palková Z. Non-Coding RNAs: Regulators of Stress, Ageing, and Developmental Decisions in Yeast? Cells 2024; 13:599. [PMID: 38607038 PMCID: PMC11012152 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cells must change their properties in order to adapt to a constantly changing environment. Most of the cellular sensing and regulatory mechanisms described so far are based on proteins that serve as sensors, signal transducers, and effectors of signalling pathways, resulting in altered cell physiology. In recent years, however, remarkable examples of the critical role of non-coding RNAs in some of these regulatory pathways have been described in various organisms. In this review, we focus on all classes of non-coding RNAs that play regulatory roles during stress response, starvation, and ageing in different yeast species as well as in structured yeast populations. Such regulation can occur, for example, by modulating the amount and functional state of tRNAs, rRNAs, or snRNAs that are directly involved in the processes of translation and splicing. In addition, long non-coding RNAs and microRNA-like molecules are bona fide regulators of the expression of their target genes. Non-coding RNAs thus represent an additional level of cellular regulation that is gradually being uncovered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michal Čáp
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zdena Palková
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Yared MJ, Marcelot A, Barraud P. Beyond the Anticodon: tRNA Core Modifications and Their Impact on Structure, Translation and Stress Adaptation. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:374. [PMID: 38540433 PMCID: PMC10969862 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are heavily decorated with post-transcriptional chemical modifications. Approximately 100 different modifications have been identified in tRNAs, and each tRNA typically contains 5-15 modifications that are incorporated at specific sites along the tRNA sequence. These modifications may be classified into two groups according to their position in the three-dimensional tRNA structure, i.e., modifications in the tRNA core and modifications in the anticodon-loop (ACL) region. Since many modified nucleotides in the tRNA core are involved in the formation of tertiary interactions implicated in tRNA folding, these modifications are key to tRNA stability and resistance to RNA decay pathways. In comparison to the extensively studied ACL modifications, tRNA core modifications have generally received less attention, although they have been shown to play important roles beyond tRNA stability. Here, we review and place in perspective selected data on tRNA core modifications. We present their impact on tRNA structure and stability and report how these changes manifest themselves at the functional level in translation, fitness and stress adaptation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pierre Barraud
- Expression Génétique Microbienne, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, F-75005 Paris, France; (M.-J.Y.); (A.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Shi D, Wang B, Li H, Lian Y, Ma Q, Liu T, Cao M, Ma Y, Shi L, Yuan W, Shi J, Chu Y. Pseudouridine synthase 1 regulates erythropoiesis via transfer RNAs pseudouridylation and cytoplasmic translation. iScience 2024; 27:109265. [PMID: 38450158 PMCID: PMC10915626 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudouridylation plays a regulatory role in various physiological and pathological processes. A prime example is the mitochondrial myopathy, lactic acidosis, and sideroblastic anemia syndrome (MLASA), characterized by defective pseudouridylation resulting from genetic mutations in pseudouridine synthase 1 (PUS1). However, the roles and mechanisms of pseudouridylation in normal erythropoiesis and MLASA-related anemia remain elusive. We established a mouse model carrying a point mutation (R110W) in the enzymatic domain of PUS1, mimicking the common mutation in human MLASA. Pus1-mutant mice exhibited anemia at 4 weeks old. Impaired mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was also observed in mutant erythroblasts. Mechanistically, mutant erythroblasts showed defective pseudouridylation of targeted tRNAs, altered tRNA profiles, decreased translation efficiency of ribosomal protein genes, and reduced globin synthesis, culminating in ineffective erythropoiesis. Our study thus provided direct evidence that pseudouridylation participates in erythropoiesis in vivo. We demonstrated the critical role of pseudouridylation in regulating tRNA homeostasis, cytoplasmic translation, and erythropoiesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deyang Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
- Department of Hematology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Bichen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Haoyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Yu Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Qiuyi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Tong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Mutian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Yuanwu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medicine College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy (Ministry of Education), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Weiping Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Jun Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Yajing Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Añazco-Guenkova AM, Miguel-López B, Monteagudo-García Ó, García-Vílchez R, Blanco S. The impact of tRNA modifications on translation in cancer: identifying novel therapeutic avenues. NAR Cancer 2024; 6:zcae012. [PMID: 38476632 PMCID: PMC10928989 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcae012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements have illuminated the critical role of RNA modifications in post-transcriptional regulation, shaping the landscape of gene expression. This review explores how tRNA modifications emerge as critical players, fine-tuning functionalities that not only maintain the fidelity of protein synthesis but also dictate gene expression and translation profiles. Highlighting their dysregulation as a common denominator in various cancers, we systematically investigate the intersection of both cytosolic and mitochondrial tRNA modifications with cancer biology. These modifications impact key processes such as cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, migration, metastasis, bioenergetics and the modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment. The recurrence of altered tRNA modification patterns across different cancer types underscores their significance in cancer development, proposing them as potential biomarkers and as actionable targets to disrupt tumorigenic processes, offering new avenues for precision medicine in the battle against cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Añazco-Guenkova
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Borja Miguel-López
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Óscar Monteagudo-García
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Raquel García-Vílchez
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sandra Blanco
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Dunaeva M, Blom J, Thurlings R, van Weijsten M, van de Loo FAJ, Pruijn GJM. Circulating tRNA-derived fragments are decreased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and increased in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Biomarkers 2024; 29:90-99. [PMID: 38362802 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2024.2319297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) play an important role in immune responses. To clarify the role of tRFs in autoimmunity we studied circulating tRF-levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and in a murine model for arthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Circulating tRF-levels were quantified by miR-Q RT-qPCR. tRNA processing and modification enzyme expression was analysed by RT-qPCR and public transcriptomics data. RESULTS Significant reduction (up to 3-fold on average) of tRF-levels derived from tRNA-Gly-GCC,CCC, tRNA-Glu-CTC and tRNA-Val-CAC,AAC was observed in RA patients, whereas tRNA-Glu-CTC and tRNA-Val-CAC,AAC tRFs were found at significantly higher levels (up to 3-fold on average) in PsA patients, compared to healthy controls. Also in arthritic IL1Ra-KO mice reduced levels of tRNA-Glu-CTC fragments were seen. The expression of NSUN2, a methyltransferase catalysing tRNA methylation, was increased in RA-peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) compared to PsA, but this is not consistently supported by public transcriptomics data. DISCUSSION The observed changes of specific tRF-levels may be involved in the immune responses in RA and PsA and may be applicable as new biomarkers. CONCLUSION Circulating tRF-levels are decreased in RA and increased in PsA and this may, at least in part, be mediated by methylation changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Dunaeva
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Blom
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rogier Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Margot van Weijsten
- Department of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Fons A J van de Loo
- Department of Rheumatology, Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ger J M Pruijn
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Zhang J. Recognition of the tRNA structure: Everything everywhere but not all at once. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:36-52. [PMID: 38159570 PMCID: PMC10843564 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
tRNAs are among the most abundant and essential biomolecules in cells. These spontaneously folding, extensively structured yet conformationally flexible anionic polymers literally bridge the worlds of RNAs and proteins, and serve as Rosetta stones that decipher and interpret the genetic code. Their ubiquitous presence, functional irreplaceability, and privileged access to cellular compartments and ribosomes render them prime targets for both endogenous regulation and exogenous manipulation. There is essentially no part of the tRNA that is not touched by another interaction partner, either as programmed or imposed by an external adversary. Recent progresses in genetic, biochemical, and structural analyses of the tRNA interactome produced a wealth of new knowledge into their interaction networks, regulatory functions, and molecular interfaces. In this review, I describe and illustrate the general principles of tRNA recognition by proteins and other RNAs, and discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms that deliver affinity, specificity, and functional competency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinwei Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bowles IE, Jackman JE. A tRNA-specific function for tRNA methyltransferase Trm10 is associated with a new tRNA quality control mechanism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 30:171-187. [PMID: 38071471 PMCID: PMC10798241 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079861.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a single homolog of the tRNA methyltransferase Trm10 performs m1G9 modification on 13 different tRNAs. Here we provide evidence that the m1G9 modification catalyzed by S. cerevisiae Trm10 plays a biologically important role for one of these tRNA substrates, tRNATrp Overexpression of tRNATrp (and not any of 38 other elongator tRNAs) rescues growth hypersensitivity of the trm10Δ strain in the presence of the antitumor drug 5-fluorouracil (5FU). Mature tRNATrp is depleted in trm10Δ cells, and its levels are further decreased upon growth in 5FU, while another Trm10 substrate (tRNAGly) is not affected under these conditions. Thus, m1G9 in S. cerevisiae is another example of a tRNA modification that is present on multiple tRNAs but is only essential for the biological function of one of those species. In addition to the effects of m1G9 on mature tRNATrp, precursor tRNATrp species accumulate in the same strains, an effect that is due to at least two distinct mechanisms. The levels of mature tRNATrp are rescued in the trm10Δmet22Δ strain, consistent with the known role of Met22 in tRNA quality control, where deletion of met22 causes inhibition of 5'-3' exonucleases that catalyze tRNA decay. However, none of the known Met22-associated exonucleases appear to be responsible for the decay of hypomodified tRNATrp, based on the inability of mutants of each enzyme to rescue the growth of the trm10Δ strain in the presence of 5FU. Thus, the surveillance of tRNATrp appears to constitute a distinct tRNA quality control pathway in S. cerevisiae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isobel E Bowles
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for RNA Biology, and Ohio State Biochemistry Program, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Jane E Jackman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for RNA Biology, and Ohio State Biochemistry Program, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Lucas MC, Pryszcz LP, Medina R, Milenkovic I, Camacho N, Marchand V, Motorin Y, Ribas de Pouplana L, Novoa EM. Quantitative analysis of tRNA abundance and modifications by nanopore RNA sequencing. Nat Biotechnol 2024; 42:72-86. [PMID: 37024678 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01743-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) play a central role in protein translation. Studying them has been difficult in part because a simple method to simultaneously quantify their abundance and chemical modifications is lacking. Here we introduce Nano-tRNAseq, a nanopore-based approach to sequence native tRNA populations that provides quantitative estimates of both tRNA abundances and modification dynamics in a single experiment. We show that default nanopore sequencing settings discard the vast majority of tRNA reads, leading to poor sequencing yields and biased representations of tRNA abundances based on their transcript length. Re-processing of raw nanopore current intensity signals leads to a 12-fold increase in the number of recovered tRNA reads and enables recapitulation of accurate tRNA abundances. We then apply Nano-tRNAseq to Saccharomyces cerevisiae tRNA populations, revealing crosstalks and interdependencies between different tRNA modification types within the same molecule and changes in tRNA populations in response to oxidative stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morghan C Lucas
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leszek P Pryszcz
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rebeca Medina
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ivan Milenkovic
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Noelia Camacho
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Virginie Marchand
- CNRS-Université de Lorraine, UAR2008 IBSLor/UMR7365 IMoPA, Nancy, France
| | - Yuri Motorin
- CNRS-Université de Lorraine, UAR2008 IBSLor/UMR7365 IMoPA, Nancy, France
| | - Lluís Ribas de Pouplana
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Maria Novoa
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
De Zoysa T, Hauke AC, Iyer NR, Marcus E, Ostrowski SM, Stegemann F, Ermolenko DN, Fay JC, Phizicky EM. A connection between the ribosome and two S. pombe tRNA modification mutants subject to rapid tRNA decay. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011146. [PMID: 38295128 PMCID: PMC10861057 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
tRNA modifications are crucial in all organisms to ensure tRNA folding and stability, and accurate translation. In both the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the evolutionarily distant yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, mutants lacking certain tRNA body modifications (outside the anticodon loop) are temperature sensitive due to rapid tRNA decay (RTD) of a subset of hypomodified tRNAs. Here we show that for each of two S. pombe mutants subject to RTD, mutations in ribosomal protein genes suppress the temperature sensitivity without altering tRNA levels. Prior work showed that S. pombe trm8Δ mutants, lacking 7-methylguanosine, were temperature sensitive due to RTD, and that one class of suppressors had mutations in the general amino acid control (GAAC) pathway, which was activated concomitant with RTD, resulting in further tRNA loss. We now find that another class of S. pombe trm8Δ suppressors have mutations in rpl genes, encoding 60S subunit proteins, and that suppression occurs with minimal restoration of tRNA levels and reduced GAAC activation. Furthermore, trm8Δ suppression extends to other mutations in the large or small ribosomal subunit. We also find that S. pombe tan1Δ mutants, lacking 4-acetylcytidine, are temperature sensitive due to RTD, that one class of suppressors have rpl mutations, associated with minimal restoration of tRNA levels, and that suppression extends to other rpl and rps mutations. However, although S. pombe tan1Δ temperature sensitivity is associated with some GAAC activation, suppression by an rpl mutation only modestly inhibits GAAC activation. We propose a model in which ribosomal protein mutations result in reduced ribosome concentrations, leading to both reduced ribosome collisions and a reduced requirement for tRNA, with these effects having different relative importance in trm8Δ and tan1Δ mutants. This model is consistent with our results in S. cerevisiae trm8Δ trm4Δ mutants, known to undergo RTD, fueling speculation that this model applies across eukaryotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thareendra De Zoysa
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Alayna C. Hauke
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Nivedita R. Iyer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Erin Marcus
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Sarah M. Ostrowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Franziska Stegemann
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Dmitri N. Ermolenko
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Justin C. Fay
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Eric M. Phizicky
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Bowles IE, Jackman JE. Diversity in Biological Function and Mechanism of the tRNA Methyltransferase Trm10. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:3595-3603. [PMID: 38048440 PMCID: PMC11210281 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) is the most highly modified RNA species in the cell, and loss of tRNA modifications can lead to growth defects in yeast as well as metabolic, neurological, and mitochondrial disorders in humans. Significant progress has been made toward identifying the enzymes that are responsible for installing diverse modifications in tRNA, revealing a landscape of fascinating biological and mechanistic diversity that remains to be fully explored. Most early discoveries of tRNA modification enzymes were in model systems, where many enzymes were not strictly required for viability, an observation somewhat at odds with the extreme conservation of many of the same enzymes throughout multiple domains of life. Moreover, many tRNA modification enzymes act on more than one type of tRNA substrate, which is not necessarily surprising given the similar overall secondary and tertiary structures of tRNA, yet biochemical characterization has revealed interesting patterns of substrate specificity that can be challenging to rationalize on a molecular level. Questions about how many enzymes efficiently select a precise set of target tRNAs from among a structurally similar pool of molecules persist.The tRNA methyltransferase Trm10 provides an exciting paradigm to study the biological and mechanistic questions surrounding tRNA modifications. Even though the enzyme was originally characterized in Saccharomyces cerevisiae where its deletion causes no detectable phenotype under standard lab conditions, several more recently identified phenotypes provide insight into the requirement for this modification in the overall quality control of the tRNA pool. Studies of Trm10 in yeast also revealed another characteristic feature that has turned out to be a conserved feature of enzymes throughout the Trm10 family tree. We were initially surprised to see that purified S. cerevisiae Trm10 was capable of modifying tRNA substrates that were not detectably modified by the enzyme in vivo in yeast. This pattern has continued to emerge as we and others have studied Trm10 orthologs from Archaea and Eukarya, with enzymes exhibiting in vitro substrate specificities that can differ significantly from in vivo patterns of modification. While this feature complicates efforts to predict substrate specificities of Trm10 enzymes in the absence of appropriate genetic systems, it also provides an exciting opportunity for studying how enzyme activities can be regulated to achieve dynamic patterns of biological tRNA modification, which have been shown to be increasingly important for stress responses and human disease. Finally, the intriguing diversity in target nucleotide modification that has been revealed among Trm10 orthologs is distinctive among known tRNA modifying enzymes and necessitates unusual and likely novel catalytic strategies for methylation that are being revealed by biochemical and structural studies directed toward various family members. These efforts will no doubt yield more surprising discoveries in terms of tRNA modification enzymology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isobel E. Bowles
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for RNA Biology and Ohio State Biochemistry Program, 484 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jane E. Jackman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for RNA Biology and Ohio State Biochemistry Program, 484 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Saleh S, Farabaugh PJ. Posttranscriptional modification to the core of tRNAs modulates translational misreading errors. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 30:37-51. [PMID: 37907335 PMCID: PMC10726164 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079797.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Protein synthesis on the ribosome involves successive rapid recruitment of cognate aminoacyl-tRNAs and rejection of the much more numerous incorrect near- or non-cognates. The principal feature of translation elongation is that at every step, many incorrect aa-tRNAs unsuccessfully enter the A site for each cognate accepted. Normal levels of translational accuracy require that cognate tRNAs have relatively similar acceptance rates by the ribosome. To achieve that, tRNAs evolved to compensate for differences in amino acid properties and codon-anticodon strength that affect acceptance. Part of that response involved tRNA posttranscriptional modifications, which can affect tRNA decoding efficiency, accuracy, and structural stability. The most intensively modified regions of the tRNA are the anticodon loop and structural core of the tRNA. Anticodon loop modifications directly affect codon-anticodon pairing and therefore modulate accuracy. Core modifications have been thought to ensure consistent decoding rates principally by stabilizing tRNA structure to avoid degradation; however, degradation due to instability appears to only be a significant issue above normal growth temperatures. We suspected that the greater role of modification at normal temperatures might be to tune tRNAs to maintain consistent intrinsic rates of acceptance and peptide transfer and that hypomodification by altering these rates might degrade the process of discrimination, leading to increased translational errors. Here, we present evidence that most tRNA core modifications do modulate the frequency of misreading errors, suggesting that the need to maintain accuracy explains their deep evolutionary conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sima Saleh
- Department of Biological Sciences and Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland 21250, USA
| | - Philip J Farabaugh
- Department of Biological Sciences and Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland 21250, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Wang Y, Tao EW, Tan J, Gao QY, Chen YX, Fang JY. tRNA modifications: insights into their role in human cancers. Trends Cell Biol 2023; 33:1035-1048. [PMID: 37179136 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Transfer RNA (tRNA) plays a central role in translation by functioning as a biological link between messenger RNA (mRNA) and proteins. One prominent feature of the tRNA molecule is its heavily modified status, which greatly affects its biogenesis and function. Modifications within the anticodon loop are crucial for translation efficiency and accuracy, whereas other modifications in the body region affect tRNA structure and stability. Recent research has revealed that these diverse modifications are critical regulators of gene expression. They are involved in many important physiological and pathological processes, including cancers. In this review we focus on six different tRNA modifications to delineate their functions and mechanisms in tumorigenesis and tumor progression, providing insights into their clinical potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - En-Wei Tao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Tan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin-Yan Gao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying-Xuan Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jing-Yuan Fang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Yu NJ, Dai W, Li A, He M, Kleiner RE. Cell type-specific translational regulation by human DUS enzymes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.03.565399. [PMID: 37965204 PMCID: PMC10635104 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.03.565399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Dihydrouridine is an abundant and conserved modified nucleoside present on tRNA, but characterization and functional studies of modification sites and associated DUS writer enzymes in mammals is lacking. Here we use a chemical probing strategy, RNABPP-PS, to identify 5-chlorouridine as an activity-based probe for human DUS enzymes. We map D modifications using RNA-protein crosslinking and chemical transformation and mutational profiling to reveal D modification sites on human tRNAs. Further, we knock out individual DUS genes in two human cell lines to investigate regulation of tRNA expression levels and codon-specific translation. We show that whereas D modifications are present across most tRNA species, loss of D only perturbs the translational function of a subset of tRNAs in a cell type-specific manner. Our work provides powerful chemical strategies for investigating D and DUS enzymes in diverse biological systems and provides insight into the role of a ubiquitous tRNA modification in translational regulation.
Collapse
|
26
|
Pinzaru AM, Tavazoie SF. Transfer RNAs as dynamic and critical regulators of cancer progression. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:746-761. [PMID: 37814109 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00611-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) have been historically viewed as non-dynamic adaptors that decode the genetic code into proteins. Recent work has uncovered dynamic regulatory roles for these fascinating molecules. Advances in tRNA detection methods have revealed that specific tRNAs can become modulated upon DNA copy number and chromatin alterations and can also be perturbed by oncogenic signalling and transcriptional regulators in cancer cells or the tumour microenvironment. Such alterations in the levels of specific tRNAs have been shown to causally impact cancer progression, including metastasis. Moreover, sequencing methods have identified tRNA-derived small RNAs that influence various aspects of cancer progression, such as cell proliferation and invasion, and could serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers or putative therapeutic targets in various cancers. Finally, there is accumulating evidence, including from genetic models, that specific tRNA synthetases - the enzymes responsible for charging tRNAs with amino acids - can either promote or suppress tumour formation. In this Review, we provide an overview of how deregulation of tRNAs influences cancer formation and progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Pinzaru
- Laboratory of Systems Cancer Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Sohail F Tavazoie
- Laboratory of Systems Cancer Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Porat J, Vakiloroayaei A, Remnant BM, Talebi M, Cargill T, Bayfield MA. Crosstalk between the tRNA methyltransferase Trm1 and RNA chaperone La influences eukaryotic tRNA maturation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105326. [PMID: 37805140 PMCID: PMC10652106 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
tRNAs undergo an extensive maturation process involving posttranscriptional modifications often associated with tRNA structural stability and promoting the native fold. Impaired posttranscriptional modification has been linked to human disease, likely through defects in translation, mitochondrial function, and increased susceptibility to degradation by various tRNA decay pathways. More recently, evidence has emerged that bacterial tRNA modification enzymes can act as tRNA chaperones to guide tRNA folding in a manner independent from catalytic activity. Here, we provide evidence that the fission yeast tRNA methyltransferase Trm1, which dimethylates nuclear- and mitochondrial-encoded tRNAs at G26, can also promote tRNA functionality in the absence of catalysis. We show that WT and catalytic-dead Trm1 are active in an in vivo tRNA-mediated suppression assay and possess RNA strand annealing and dissociation activity in vitro, similar to previously characterized RNA chaperones. Trm1 and the RNA chaperone La have previously been proposed to function synergistically in promoting tRNA maturation, yet we surprisingly demonstrate that La binding to nascent pre-tRNAs decreases Trm1 tRNA dimethylation in vivo and in vitro. Collectively, these results support the hypothesis for tRNA modification enzymes that combine catalytic and noncatalytic activities to promote tRNA maturation, as well as expand our understanding of how La function can influence tRNA modification.
Collapse
|
28
|
McGuffey JC, Jackson-Litteken CD, Di Venanzio G, Zimmer AA, Lewis JM, Distel JS, Kim KQ, Zaher HS, Alfonzo J, Scott NE, Feldman MF. The tRNA methyltransferase TrmB is critical for Acinetobacter baumannii stress responses and pulmonary infection. mBio 2023; 14:e0141623. [PMID: 37589464 PMCID: PMC10653896 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01416-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE As deficiencies in tRNA modifications have been linked to human diseases such as cancer and diabetes, much research has focused on the modifications' impacts on translational regulation in eukaryotes. However, the significance of tRNA modifications in bacterial physiology remains largely unexplored. In this paper, we demonstrate that the m7G tRNA methyltransferase TrmB is crucial for a top-priority pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii, to respond to stressors encountered during infection, including oxidative stress, low pH, and iron deprivation. We show that loss of TrmB dramatically attenuates a murine pulmonary infection. Given the current efforts to use another tRNA methyltransferase, TrmD, as an antimicrobial therapeutic target, we propose that TrmB, and other tRNA methyltransferases, may also be viable options for drug development to combat multidrug-resistant A. baumannii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna C. McGuffey
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Clay D. Jackson-Litteken
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gisela Di Venanzio
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Aubree A. Zimmer
- Department of Microbiology and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jessica M. Lewis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jesus S. Distel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kyusik Q. Kim
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Hani S. Zaher
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Juan Alfonzo
- Department of Microbiology and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Nichollas E. Scott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mario F. Feldman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Wang C, Hou X, Guan Q, Zhou H, Zhou L, Liu L, Liu J, Li F, Li W, Liu H. RNA modification in cardiovascular disease: implications for therapeutic interventions. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:412. [PMID: 37884527 PMCID: PMC10603151 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01638-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world, with a high incidence and a youth-oriented tendency. RNA modification is ubiquitous and indispensable in cell, maintaining cell homeostasis and function by dynamically regulating gene expression. Accumulating evidence has revealed the role of aberrant gene expression in CVD caused by dysregulated RNA modification. In this review, we focus on nine common RNA modifications: N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), N7-methylguanosine (m7G), N4-acetylcytosine (ac4C), pseudouridine (Ψ), uridylation, adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, and modifications of U34 on tRNA wobble. We summarize the key regulators of RNA modification and their effects on gene expression, such as RNA splicing, maturation, transport, stability, and translation. Then, based on the classification of CVD, the mechanisms by which the disease occurs and progresses through RNA modifications are discussed. Potential therapeutic strategies, such as gene therapy, are reviewed based on these mechanisms. Herein, some of the CVD (such as stroke and peripheral vascular disease) are not included due to the limited availability of literature. Finally, the prospective applications and challenges of RNA modification in CVD are discussed for the purpose of facilitating clinical translation. Moreover, we look forward to more studies exploring the mechanisms and roles of RNA modification in CVD in the future, as there are substantial uncultivated areas to be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cong Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xuyang Hou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qing Guan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Huiling Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Pathology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, The Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lijun Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jijia Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Haidan Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Yared MJ, Yoluç Y, Catala M, Tisné C, Kaiser S, Barraud P. Different modification pathways for m1A58 incorporation in yeast elongator and initiator tRNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:10653-10667. [PMID: 37650648 PMCID: PMC10602860 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
As essential components of the protein synthesis machinery, tRNAs undergo a tightly controlled biogenesis process, which include the incorporation of numerous posttranscriptional modifications. Defects in these tRNA maturation steps may lead to the degradation of hypomodified tRNAs by the rapid tRNA decay (RTD) and nuclear surveillance pathways. We previously identified m1A58 as a late modification introduced after modifications Ψ55 and T54 in yeast elongator tRNAPhe. However, previous reports suggested that m1A58 is introduced early during the tRNA modification process, in particular on primary transcripts of initiator tRNAiMet, which prevents its degradation by RNA decay pathways. Here, aiming to reconcile this apparent inconsistency on the temporality of m1A58 incorporation, we examined its introduction into yeast elongator and initiator tRNAs. We used specifically modified tRNAs to report on the molecular aspects controlling the Ψ55 → T54 → m1A58 modification circuit in elongator tRNAs. We also show that m1A58 is efficiently introduced on unmodified tRNAiMet, and does not depend on prior modifications. Finally, we show that m1A58 has major effects on the structural properties of initiator tRNAiMet, so that the tRNA elbow structure is only properly assembled when this modification is present. This observation provides a structural explanation for the degradation of hypomodified tRNAiMet lacking m1A58 by the nuclear surveillance and RTD pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcel-Joseph Yared
- Expression génétique microbienne, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut de biologie physico-chimique, Paris, France
| | - Yasemin Yoluç
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Marjorie Catala
- Expression génétique microbienne, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut de biologie physico-chimique, Paris, France
| | - Carine Tisné
- Expression génétique microbienne, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut de biologie physico-chimique, Paris, France
| | - Stefanie Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Pierre Barraud
- Expression génétique microbienne, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut de biologie physico-chimique, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
De Zoysa T, Hauke AC, Iyer NR, Marcus E, Ostrowski SM, Fay JC, Phizicky EM. A connection between the ribosome and two S. pombe tRNA modification mutants subject to rapid tRNA decay. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.18.558340. [PMID: 37790432 PMCID: PMC10542129 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.18.558340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
tRNA modifications are crucial in all organisms to ensure tRNA folding and stability, and accurate translation in the ribosome. In both the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the evolutionarily distant yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, mutants lacking certain tRNA body modifications (outside the anticodon loop) are temperature sensitive due to rapid tRNA decay (RTD) of a subset of hypomodified tRNAs. Here we show that for each of two S. pombe mutants subject to RTD, mutations in ribosomal protein genes suppress the temperature sensitivity without altering tRNA levels. Prior work showed that S. pombe trm8Δ mutants, lacking 7-methylguanosine, were temperature sensitive due to RTD and that one class of suppressors had mutations in the general amino acid control (GAAC) pathway, which was activated concomitant with RTD, resulting in further tRNA loss. We now find that another class of S. pombe trm8Δ suppressors have mutations in rpl genes, encoding 60S subunit proteins, and that suppression occurs with minimal restoration of tRNA levels and reduced GAAC activation. Furthermore, trm8Δ suppression extends to other mutations in the large or small ribosomal subunit. We also find that S. pombe tan1Δ mutants, lacking 4-acetylcytidine, are temperature sensitive due to RTD, that one class of suppressors have rpl mutations, associated with minimal restoration of tRNA levels, and that suppression extends to other rpl and rps mutations. However, although S. pombe tan1Δ temperature sensitivity is associated with some GAAC activation, suppression by an rpl mutation does not significantly inhibit GAAC activation. These results suggest that ribosomal protein mutations suppress the temperature sensitivity of S. pombe trm8Δ and tan1Δ mutants due to reduced ribosome concentrations, leading to both a reduced requirement for tRNA, and reduced ribosome collisions and GAAC activation. Results with S. cerevisiae trm8Δ trm4Δ mutants are consistent with this model, and fuel speculation that similar results will apply across eukaryotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thareendra De Zoysa
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, USA 14642
| | - Alayna C. Hauke
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, USA 14642
| | - Nivedita R. Iyer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, USA 14642
| | - Erin Marcus
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, USA 14642
| | - Sarah M. Ostrowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, USA 14642
| | - Justin C. Fay
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA 14627
| | - Eric M. Phizicky
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, USA 14642
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Mattioli F, Worpenberg L, Li CT, Ibrahim N, Naz S, Sharif S, Firouzabadi SG, Vosoogh S, Saraeva-Lamri R, Raymond L, Trujillo C, Guex N, Antonarakis SE, Ansar M, Darvish H, Liu RJ, Roignant JY, Reymond A. Biallelic variants in NSUN6 cause an autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder. Genet Med 2023; 25:100900. [PMID: 37226891 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.100900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE 5-methylcytosine RNA modifications are driven by NSUN methyltransferases. Although variants in NSUN2 and NSUN3 were associated with neurodevelopmental diseases, the physiological role of NSUN6 modifications on transfer RNAs and messenger RNAs remained elusive. METHODS We combined exome sequencing of consanguineous families with functional characterization to identify a new neurodevelopmental disorder gene. RESULTS We identified 3 unrelated consanguineous families with deleterious homozygous variants in NSUN6. Two of these variants are predicted to be loss-of-function. One maps to the first exon and is predicted to lead to the absence of NSUN6 via nonsense-mediated decay, whereas we showed that the other maps to the last exon and encodes a protein that does not fold correctly. Likewise, we demonstrated that the missense variant identified in the third family has lost its enzymatic activity and is unable to bind the methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine. The affected individuals present with developmental delay, intellectual disability, motor delay, and behavioral anomalies. Homozygous ablation of the NSUN6 ortholog in Drosophila led to locomotion and learning impairment. CONCLUSION Our data provide evidence that biallelic pathogenic variants in NSUN6 cause one form of autosomal recessive intellectual disability, establishing another link between RNA modification and cognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mattioli
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lina Worpenberg
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cai-Tao Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Nazia Ibrahim
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Jail Road Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shagufta Naz
- Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Jail Road Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Saima Sharif
- Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Jail Road Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Saghar G Firouzabadi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran; Nikagene Genetic Diagnostic Laboratory, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran
| | - Shohreh Vosoogh
- Clinical Research Development Unit (CRDU), Sayad Shirazi Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | | | - Laure Raymond
- Genetics Department, Laboratoire Eurofins Biomnis, Lyon, France
| | - Carlos Trujillo
- Facultad de Medicina, Departmento de Genetica, Universidad CES, Medellin, Colombia; Genome Unit, KFMRC, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nicolas Guex
- Bioinformatics Competence Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stylianos E Antonarakis
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical Faculty, Geneva, Switzerland; Medigenome, Swiss Institute of Genomic Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Muhammad Ansar
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hossein Darvish
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Ru-Juan Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jean-Yves Roignant
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Alexandre Reymond
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wang C, Ulryck N, Herzel L, Pythoud N, Kleiber N, Guérineau V, Jactel V, Moritz C, Bohnsack M, Carapito C, Touboul D, Bohnsack K, Graille M. N 2-methylguanosine modifications on human tRNAs and snRNA U6 are important for cell proliferation, protein translation and pre-mRNA splicing. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:7496-7519. [PMID: 37283053 PMCID: PMC10415138 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Modified nucleotides in non-coding RNAs, such as tRNAs and snRNAs, represent an important layer of gene expression regulation through their ability to fine-tune mRNA maturation and translation. Dysregulation of such modifications and the enzymes installing them have been linked to various human pathologies including neurodevelopmental disorders and cancers. Several methyltransferases (MTases) are regulated allosterically by human TRMT112 (Trm112 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae), but the interactome of this regulator and targets of its interacting MTases remain incompletely characterized. Here, we have investigated the interaction network of human TRMT112 in intact cells and identify three poorly characterized putative MTases (TRMT11, THUMPD3 and THUMPD2) as direct partners. We demonstrate that these three proteins are active N2-methylguanosine (m2G) MTases and that TRMT11 and THUMPD3 methylate positions 10 and 6 of tRNAs, respectively. For THUMPD2, we discovered that it directly associates with the U6 snRNA, a core component of the catalytic spliceosome, and is required for the formation of m2G, the last 'orphan' modification in U6 snRNA. Furthermore, our data reveal the combined importance of TRMT11 and THUMPD3 for optimal protein synthesis and cell proliferation as well as a role for THUMPD2 in fine-tuning pre-mRNA splicing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Can Wang
- Laboratoire de Biologie Structurale de la Cellule (BIOC), CNRS, École polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Nathalie Ulryck
- Laboratoire de Biologie Structurale de la Cellule (BIOC), CNRS, École polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Lydia Herzel
- Department of Molecular Biology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Pythoud
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, IPHC UMR 7178, Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI, FR2048 Strasbourg, France
| | - Nicole Kleiber
- Department of Molecular Biology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Vincent Guérineau
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, UPR 2301, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Vincent Jactel
- Laboratoire de Synthèse Organique (LSO), CNRS, École polytechnique, ENSTA, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Chloé Moritz
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, IPHC UMR 7178, Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI, FR2048 Strasbourg, France
| | - Markus T Bohnsack
- Department of Molecular Biology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells” (MBExC), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christine Carapito
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, IPHC UMR 7178, Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI, FR2048 Strasbourg, France
| | - David Touboul
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, UPR 2301, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Laboratoire de Chimie Moléculaire (LCM), CNRS, École polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Katherine E Bohnsack
- Department of Molecular Biology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marc Graille
- Laboratoire de Biologie Structurale de la Cellule (BIOC), CNRS, École polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Biela A, Hammermeister A, Kaczmarczyk I, Walczak M, Koziej L, Lin TY, Glatt S. The diverse structural modes of tRNA binding and recognition. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104966. [PMID: 37380076 PMCID: PMC10424219 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
tRNAs are short noncoding RNAs responsible for decoding mRNA codon triplets, delivering correct amino acids to the ribosome, and mediating polypeptide chain formation. Due to their key roles during translation, tRNAs have a highly conserved shape and large sets of tRNAs are present in all living organisms. Regardless of sequence variability, all tRNAs fold into a relatively rigid three-dimensional L-shaped structure. The conserved tertiary organization of canonical tRNA arises through the formation of two orthogonal helices, consisting of the acceptor and anticodon domains. Both elements fold independently to stabilize the overall structure of tRNAs through intramolecular interactions between the D- and T-arm. During tRNA maturation, different modifying enzymes posttranscriptionally attach chemical groups to specific nucleotides, which not only affect translation elongation rates but also restrict local folding processes and confer local flexibility when required. The characteristic structural features of tRNAs are also employed by various maturation factors and modification enzymes to assure the selection, recognition, and positioning of specific sites within the substrate tRNAs. The cellular functional repertoire of tRNAs continues to extend well beyond their role in translation, partly, due to the expanding pool of tRNA-derived fragments. Here, we aim to summarize the most recent developments in the field to understand how three-dimensional structure affects the canonical and noncanonical functions of tRNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Biela
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Igor Kaczmarczyk
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marta Walczak
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Lukasz Koziej
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ting-Yu Lin
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Sebastian Glatt
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Yu P, Zhou S, Gao Y, Liang Y, Guo W, Wang DO, Ding S, Lin S, Wang J, Cun Y. Dynamic Landscapes of tRNA Transcriptomes and Translatomes in Diverse Mouse Tissues. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:834-849. [PMID: 35952936 PMCID: PMC10787195 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2022.07.006] [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: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Although the function of tRNAs in the translational process is well established, it remains controversial whether tRNA abundance is tightly associated with translational efficiency (TE) in mammals. Moreover, how critically the expression of tRNAs contributes to the establishment of tissue-specific proteomes in mammals has not been well addressed. Here, we measured both tRNA expression using demethylase-tRNA sequencing (DM-tRNA-seq) and TE of mRNAs using ribosome-tagging sequencing (RiboTag-seq) in the brain, heart, and testis of mice. Remarkable variation in the expression of tRNA isodecoders was observed among different tissues. When the statistical effect of isodecoder-grouping on reducing variations is considered through permutating the anticodons, we observed an expected reduction in the variation of anticodon expression across all samples, an unexpected smaller variation of anticodon usage bias, and an unexpected larger variation of tRNA isotype expression at amino acid level. Regardless of whether or not they share the same anticodons, the isodecoders encoding the same amino acids are co-expressed across different tissues. Based on the expression of tRNAs and the TE of mRNAs, we find that the tRNA adaptation index (tAI) and TE are significantly correlated in the same tissues but not between tissues; and tRNA expression and the amino acid composition of translating peptides are positively correlated in the same tissues but not between tissues. We therefore hypothesize that the tissue-specific expression of tRNAs might be due to post-transcriptional mechanisms. This study provides a resource for tRNA and translation studies, as well as novel insights into the dynamics of tRNAs and their roles in translational regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Yu
- Center for Translational Medicine, Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Siting Zhou
- Department of Medical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Medical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yu Liang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Wenbing Guo
- Department of Medical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Dan Ohtan Wang
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Shuaiwen Ding
- Department of Medical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shuibin Lin
- Center for Translational Medicine, Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Jinkai Wang
- Department of Medical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; RNA Biomedical Institute, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Yixian Cun
- Department of Medical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, MOE Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
García-Vílchez R, Añazco-Guenkova AM, Dietmann S, López J, Morón-Calvente V, D'Ambrosi S, Nombela P, Zamacola K, Mendizabal I, García-Longarte S, Zabala-Letona A, Astobiza I, Fernández S, Paniagua A, Miguel-López B, Marchand V, Alonso-López D, Merkel A, García-Tuñón I, Ugalde-Olano A, Loizaga-Iriarte A, Lacasa-Viscasillas I, Unda M, Azkargorta M, Elortza F, Bárcena L, Gonzalez-Lopez M, Aransay AM, Di Domenico T, Sánchez-Martín MA, De Las Rivas J, Guil S, Motorin Y, Helm M, Pandolfi PP, Carracedo A, Blanco S. METTL1 promotes tumorigenesis through tRNA-derived fragment biogenesis in prostate cancer. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:119. [PMID: 37516825 PMCID: PMC10386714 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01809-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Newly growing evidence highlights the essential role that epitranscriptomic marks play in the development of many cancers; however, little is known about the role and implications of altered epitranscriptome deposition in prostate cancer. Here, we show that the transfer RNA N7-methylguanosine (m7G) transferase METTL1 is highly expressed in primary and advanced prostate tumours. Mechanistically, we find that METTL1 depletion causes the loss of m7G tRNA methylation and promotes the biogenesis of a novel class of small non-coding RNAs derived from 5'tRNA fragments. 5'tRNA-derived small RNAs steer translation control to favour the synthesis of key regulators of tumour growth suppression, interferon pathway, and immune effectors. Knockdown of Mettl1 in prostate cancer preclinical models increases intratumoural infiltration of pro-inflammatory immune cells and enhances responses to immunotherapy. Collectively, our findings reveal a therapeutically actionable role of METTL1-directed m7G tRNA methylation in cancer cell translation control and tumour biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raquel García-Vílchez
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ana M Añazco-Guenkova
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sabine Dietmann
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 660S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Judith López
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Virginia Morón-Calvente
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Silvia D'Ambrosi
- Present Address: Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Paz Nombela
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Kepa Zamacola
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Isabel Mendizabal
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Saioa García-Longarte
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Amaia Zabala-Letona
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ianire Astobiza
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Fernández
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Paniagua
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Borja Miguel-López
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Virginie Marchand
- Université de Lorraine, UAR2008 IBSLor CNRS-UL-INSERM, Biopôle UL, 9, Avenue de La Forêt de Haye, 54505, Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France
| | - Diego Alonso-López
- Bioinformatics Unit, Cancer Research Center (CIC-IBMCC, CSIC/USAL), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and University of Salamanca (USAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Angelika Merkel
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, 08916, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Germans Trias I Pujol Health Science Research Institute, Badalona, 08916, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Tuñón
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Ana Loizaga-Iriarte
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Urology, Basurto University Hospital, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
- Traslational Prostate Cancer Research Lab, CIC bioGUNE-Basurto, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Avenida Montevideo 18, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | | | - Miguel Unda
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Urology, Basurto University Hospital, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
- Traslational Prostate Cancer Research Lab, CIC bioGUNE-Basurto, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Avenida Montevideo 18, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Mikel Azkargorta
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Carlos III Networked Proteomics Platform (ProteoRed-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Félix Elortza
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Carlos III Networked Proteomics Platform (ProteoRed-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Bárcena
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Monika Gonzalez-Lopez
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Ana M Aransay
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
| | - Tomás Di Domenico
- Bioinformatics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel A Sánchez-Martín
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Servicio de Transgénesis, Nucleus, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Javier De Las Rivas
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sònia Guil
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, 08916, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Germans Trias I Pujol Health Science Research Institute, Badalona, 08916, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Yuri Motorin
- Université de Lorraine, UAR2008 IBSLor CNRS-UL-INSERM, Biopôle UL, 9, Avenue de La Forêt de Haye, 54505, Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France
- Université de Lorraine, UMR7365 IMoPA CNRS-UL, Biopôle UL, 9, Avenue de La Forêt de Haye, 54505, Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France
| | - Mark Helm
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Pier Paolo Pandolfi
- Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC), Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, 10126, Turin, TO, Italy
- William N. Pennington Cancer Center, Renown Health, Nevada System of Higher Education, Reno, NV, 89502, USA
| | - Arkaitz Carracedo
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011, Bilbao, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Basurto University Hospital, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), P. O. Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Sandra Blanco
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Bld, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
The study of eukaryotic tRNA processing has given rise to an explosion of new information and insights in the last several years. We now have unprecedented knowledge of each step in the tRNA processing pathway, revealing unexpected twists in biochemical pathways, multiple new connections with regulatory pathways, and numerous biological effects of defects in processing steps that have profound consequences throughout eukaryotes, leading to growth phenotypes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and to neurological and other disorders in humans. This review highlights seminal new results within the pathways that comprise the life of a tRNA, from its birth after transcription until its death by decay. We focus on new findings and revelations in each step of the pathway including the end-processing and splicing steps, many of the numerous modifications throughout the main body and anticodon loop of tRNA that are so crucial for tRNA function, the intricate tRNA trafficking pathways, and the quality control decay pathways, as well as the biogenesis and biology of tRNA-derived fragments. We also describe the many interactions of these pathways with signaling and other pathways in the cell.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Phizicky
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Anita K Hopper
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Center for RNA Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43235, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Jin X, Guan Z, Hu N, He C, Yin P, Gong Z, Zhang D. Structural insight into how WDR4 promotes the tRNA N7-methylguanosine methyltransferase activity of METTL1. Cell Discov 2023; 9:65. [PMID: 37369656 PMCID: PMC10300002 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00562-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohuan Jin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zeyuan Guan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Na Hu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chunjie He
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ping Yin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhou Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Delin Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Zhu S, Wu Y, Zhang X, Peng S, Xiao H, Chen S, Xu L, Su T, Kuang M. Targeting N 7-methylguanosine tRNA modification blocks hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis after insufficient radiofrequency ablation. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1596-1614. [PMID: 35965412 PMCID: PMC10278047 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiofrequency heat ablation is an ideal radical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, insufficient radiofrequency ablation (IRFA) could lead to high recurrence of HCC. N7-methylguanosine (m7G) on tRNAs, an evolutionally conservative modification in mammals and yeast, modulates heat stress responses and tumor progression, while its function in HCC recurrence after IRFA remains unknown. Here, we found that IRFA significantly upregulates the level of m7G tRNA modification and its methyltransferase complex components METTL1/WDR4 in multiple systems including HCC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse, patients' HCC tissues, sublethal-heat-treated models of HCC cell lines, and organoids. Functionally, gain-/loss-of-function assays showed that METTL1-mediated m7G tRNA modification promotes HCC metastasis under sublethal heat exposure both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that METTL1 and m7G tRNA modification enhance the translation of SLUG/SNAIL in a codon frequency-dependent manner under sublethal heat stress. Overexpression of SLUG/SNAIL rescued the malignant potency of METTL1 knockdown HCC cells after sublethal heat exposure. Our study uncovers the key functions of m7G tRNA modification in heat stress responses and HCC recurrence after IRFA, providing molecular basis for targeting METTL1-m7G-SLUG/SNAIL axis to prevent HCC metastasis after radiofrequency heat ablation treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shenghua Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Sui Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Clinical Trials Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Han Xiao
- Division of Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shuling Chen
- Division of Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Lixia Xu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Tianhong Su
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Ming Kuang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Schultz SK, Meadows K, Kothe U. Molecular mechanism of tRNA binding by the Escherichia coli N7 guanosine methyltransferase TrmB. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104612. [PMID: 36933808 PMCID: PMC10130221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the large and diverse collection of tRNA modifications, 7-methylguanosine (m7G) is frequently found in the tRNA variable loop at position 46. This modification is introduced by the TrmB enzyme, which is conserved in bacteria and eukaryotes. However, the molecular determinants and the mechanism for tRNA recognition by TrmB are not well understood. Complementing the report of various phenotypes for different organisms lacking TrmB homologs, we report here hydrogen peroxide sensitivity for the Escherichia coli ΔtrmB knockout strain. To gain insight into the molecular mechanism of tRNA binding by E. coli TrmB in real-time, we developed a new assay based on introducing a 4-thiouridine modification at position 8 of in vitro transcribed tRNAPhe enabling us to fluorescently label this unmodified tRNA. Using rapid kinetic stopped-flow measurements with this fluorescent tRNA, we examined the interaction of wildtype and single substitution variants of TrmB with tRNA. Our results reveal the role of SAM for rapid and stable tRNA binding, the rate-limiting nature of m7G46 catalysis for tRNA release, and the importance of residues R26, T127 and R155 across the entire surface of TrmB for tRNA binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Schultz
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Kieran Meadows
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ute Kothe
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Wu PR, Chiang SY, Midence R, Kao WC, Lai CL, Cheng IC, Chou SJ, Chen CC, Huang CY, Chen RH. Wdr4 promotes cerebellar development and locomotion through Arhgap17-mediated Rac1 activation. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:52. [PMID: 36681682 PMCID: PMC9867761 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05442-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Patients with mutations of WDR4, a substrate adaptor of the CUL4 E3 ligase complex, develop cerebellar atrophy and gait phenotypes. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unexplored. Here, we identify a crucial role of Wdr4 in cerebellar development. Wdr4 deficiency in granule neuron progenitors (GNPs) not only reduces foliation and the sizes of external and internal granular layers but also compromises Purkinje neuron organization and the size of the molecular layer, leading to locomotion defects. Mechanistically, Wdr4 supports the proliferation of GNPs by preventing their cell cycle exit. This effect is mediated by Wdr4-induced ubiquitination and degradation of Arhgap17, thereby activating Rac1 to facilitate cell cycle progression. Disease-associated Wdr4 variants, however, cannot provide GNP cell cycle maintenance. Our study identifies Wdr4 as a previously unappreciated participant in cerebellar development and locomotion, providing potential insights into treatment strategies for diseases with WDR4 mutations, such as primordial dwarfism and Galloway-Mowat syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Rung Wu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
- Cardiovascular and Mitochondrial Related Disease Research Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, 970, Taiwan.
| | - Shang-Yin Chiang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Robert Midence
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chao Kao
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Lun Lai
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - I-Cheng Cheng
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Shen-Ju Chou
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Cheng Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yang Huang
- Cardiovascular and Mitochondrial Related Disease Research Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, 970, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Ruey-Hwa Chen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Ruiz-Arroyo VM, Raj R, Babu K, Onolbaatar O, Roberts PH, Nam Y. Structures and mechanisms of tRNA methylation by METTL1-WDR4. Nature 2023; 613:383-390. [PMID: 36599982 PMCID: PMC9930641 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05565-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Specific, regulated modification of RNAs is important for proper gene expression1,2. tRNAs are rich with various chemical modifications that affect their stability and function3,4. 7-Methylguanosine (m7G) at tRNA position 46 is a conserved modification that modulates steady-state tRNA levels to affect cell growth5,6. The METTL1-WDR4 complex generates m7G46 in humans, and dysregulation of METTL1-WDR4 has been linked to brain malformation and multiple cancers7-22. Here we show how METTL1 and WDR4 cooperate to recognize RNA substrates and catalyse methylation. A crystal structure of METTL1-WDR4 and cryo-electron microscopy structures of METTL1-WDR4-tRNA show that the composite protein surface recognizes the tRNA elbow through shape complementarity. The cryo-electron microscopy structures of METTL1-WDR4-tRNA with S-adenosylmethionine or S-adenosylhomocysteine along with METTL1 crystal structures provide additional insights into the catalytic mechanism by revealing the active site in multiple states. The METTL1 N terminus couples cofactor binding with conformational changes in the tRNA, the catalytic loop and the WDR4 C terminus, acting as the switch to activate m7G methylation. Thus, our structural models explain how post-translational modifications of the METTL1 N terminus can regulate methylation. Together, our work elucidates the core and regulatory mechanisms underlying m7G modification by METTL1, providing the framework to understand its contribution to biology and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor M Ruiz-Arroyo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Rishi Raj
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kesavan Babu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Otgonbileg Onolbaatar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Paul H Roberts
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yunsun Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. .,Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. .,Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Li J, Wang L, Hahn Q, Nowak RP, Viennet T, Orellana EA, Roy Burman SS, Yue H, Hunkeler M, Fontana P, Wu H, Arthanari H, Fischer ES, Gregory RI. Structural basis of regulated m 7G tRNA modification by METTL1-WDR4. Nature 2023; 613:391-397. [PMID: 36599985 PMCID: PMC11179147 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05566-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Chemical modifications of RNA have key roles in many biological processes1-3. N7-methylguanosine (m7G) is required for integrity and stability of a large subset of tRNAs4-7. The methyltransferase 1-WD repeat-containing protein 4 (METTL1-WDR4) complex is the methyltransferase that modifies G46 in the variable loop of certain tRNAs, and its dysregulation drives tumorigenesis in numerous cancer types8-14. Mutations in WDR4 cause human developmental phenotypes including microcephaly15-17. How METTL1-WDR4 modifies tRNA substrates and is regulated remains elusive18. Here we show, through structural, biochemical and cellular studies of human METTL1-WDR4, that WDR4 serves as a scaffold for METTL1 and the tRNA T-arm. Upon tRNA binding, the αC region of METTL1 transforms into a helix, which together with the α6 helix secures both ends of the tRNA variable loop. Unexpectedly, we find that the predicted disordered N-terminal region of METTL1 is part of the catalytic pocket and essential for methyltransferase activity. Furthermore, we reveal that S27 phosphorylation in the METTL1 N-terminal region inhibits methyltransferase activity by locally disrupting the catalytic centre. Our results provide a molecular understanding of tRNA substrate recognition and phosphorylation-mediated regulation of METTL1-WDR4, and reveal the presumed disordered N-terminal region of METTL1 as a nexus of methyltransferase activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiazhi Li
- Stem Cell Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Longfei Wang
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Quentin Hahn
- Stem Cell Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Radosław P Nowak
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thibault Viennet
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Esteban A Orellana
- Stem Cell Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shourya S Roy Burman
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hong Yue
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Moritz Hunkeler
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pietro Fontana
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Haribabu Arthanari
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard I Gregory
- Stem Cell Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Harvard Initiative for RNA Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Abstract
The methyltransferase-like (METTL) family is a diverse group of methyltransferases that can methylate nucleotides, proteins, and small molecules. Despite this diverse array of substrates, they all share a characteristic seven-beta-strand catalytic domain, and recent evidence suggests many also share an important role in stem cell biology. The most well characterized family members METTL3 and METTL14 dimerize to form an N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methyltransferase with established roles in cancer progression. However, new mouse models indicate that METTL3/METTL14 are also important for embryonic stem cell (ESC) development and postnatal hematopoietic and neural stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. METTL1, METTL5, METTL6, METTL8, and METTL17 also have recently identified roles in ESC pluripotency and differentiation, while METTL11A/11B, METTL4, METTL7A, and METTL22 have been shown to play roles in neural, mesenchymal, bone, and hematopoietic stem cell development, respectively. Additionally, a variety of other METTL family members are translational regulators, a role that could place them as important players in the transition from stem cell quiescence to differentiation. Here we will summarize what is known about the role of METTL proteins in stem cell differentiation and highlight the connection between their growing importance in development and their established roles in oncogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John G Tooley
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - James P Catlin
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Christine E Schaner Tooley
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Application of mutational profiling: New functional analyses reveal the tRNA recognition mechanism of tRNA m 1A22 methyltransferase. J Biol Chem 2022; 299:102759. [PMID: 36462666 PMCID: PMC9801127 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Transfer RNAs undergo diverse posttranscriptional modifications to regulate a myriad of cellular events including translation, stress response, and viral replication. These posttranscriptional modifications are synthesized by site-specific modification enzymes. Recent RNA-seq techniques have revealed multiple features of tRNA such as tRNA abundance, tRNA modification, and tRNA structure. Here, we adapt a tRNA-sequencing technique and design a new functional analysis where we perform mutational profiling of tRNA modifications to gain mechanistic insights into how tRNA modification enzymes recognize substrate tRNA. Profiling of Geobacillus stearothermophilus tRNAs and protein orthology analysis predict the existence of natural modifications in 44 tRNA molecular species of G. stearothermophilus. We selected the 1-methyladenosine modification at position 22 (m1A22) and tRNA (m1A22) methyltransferase (TrmK) for further analysis. Relative quantification of m1A22 levels in 59 tRNA transcripts by mutational profiling reveals that TrmK selectively methylates a subset of tRNAs. Using 240 variants of tRNALeu transcripts, we demonstrate the conserved nucleosides including U8, A14, G15, G18, G19, U55, Purine57, and A58 are important for the methyl transfer reaction of TrmK. Additional biochemical experiments reveal that TrmK strictly recognizes U8, A14, G18, and U55 in tRNA. Furthermore, these findings from tRNALeu variants were crossvalidated using variants of three different tRNA species. Finally, a model of the TrmK-tRNA complex structure was constructed based on our findings and previous biochemical and structural studies by others. Collectively, our study expands functional analyses of tRNA modification enzyme in a high-throughput manner where our assay rapidly identifies substrates from a large pool of tRNAs.
Collapse
|
46
|
Lombard M, Reed CJ, Pecqueur L, Faivre B, Toubdji S, Sudol C, Brégeon D, de Crécy-Lagard V, Hamdane D. Evolutionary Diversity of Dus2 Enzymes Reveals Novel Structural and Functional Features among Members of the RNA Dihydrouridine Synthases Family. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1760. [PMID: 36551188 PMCID: PMC9775027 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dihydrouridine (D) is an abundant modified base found in the tRNAs of most living organisms and was recently detected in eukaryotic mRNAs. This base confers significant conformational plasticity to RNA molecules. The dihydrouridine biosynthetic reaction is catalyzed by a large family of flavoenzymes, the dihydrouridine synthases (Dus). So far, only bacterial Dus enzymes and their complexes with tRNAs have been structurally characterized. Understanding the structure-function relationships of eukaryotic Dus proteins has been hampered by the paucity of structural data. Here, we combined extensive phylogenetic analysis with high-precision 3D molecular modeling of more than 30 Dus2 enzymes selected along the tree of life to determine the evolutionary molecular basis of D biosynthesis by these enzymes. Dus2 is the eukaryotic enzyme responsible for the synthesis of D20 in tRNAs and is involved in some human cancers and in the detoxification of β-amyloid peptides in Alzheimer's disease. In addition to the domains forming the canonical structure of all Dus, i.e., the catalytic TIM-barrel domain and the helical domain, both participating in RNA recognition in the bacterial Dus, a majority of Dus2 proteins harbor extensions at both ends. While these are mainly unstructured extensions on the N-terminal side, the C-terminal side extensions can adopt well-defined structures such as helices and beta-sheets or even form additional domains such as zinc finger domains. 3D models of Dus2/tRNA complexes were also generated. This study suggests that eukaryotic Dus2 proteins may have an advantage in tRNA recognition over their bacterial counterparts due to their modularity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Murielle Lombard
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Processus Biologiques, CNRS-UMR 8229, Collège de France, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 11 Place Marcelin Berthelot, CEDEX 05, 75231 Paris, France
| | - Colbie J. Reed
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Ludovic Pecqueur
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Processus Biologiques, CNRS-UMR 8229, Collège de France, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 11 Place Marcelin Berthelot, CEDEX 05, 75231 Paris, France
| | - Bruno Faivre
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Processus Biologiques, CNRS-UMR 8229, Collège de France, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 11 Place Marcelin Berthelot, CEDEX 05, 75231 Paris, France
| | - Sabrine Toubdji
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Processus Biologiques, CNRS-UMR 8229, Collège de France, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 11 Place Marcelin Berthelot, CEDEX 05, 75231 Paris, France
- IBPS, Biology of Aging and Adaptation, Sorbonne Université 7 quai Saint Bernard, CEDEX 05, 75252 Paris, France
| | - Claudia Sudol
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Processus Biologiques, CNRS-UMR 8229, Collège de France, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 11 Place Marcelin Berthelot, CEDEX 05, 75231 Paris, France
- IBPS, Biology of Aging and Adaptation, Sorbonne Université 7 quai Saint Bernard, CEDEX 05, 75252 Paris, France
| | - Damien Brégeon
- IBPS, Biology of Aging and Adaptation, Sorbonne Université 7 quai Saint Bernard, CEDEX 05, 75252 Paris, France
| | - Valérie de Crécy-Lagard
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Djemel Hamdane
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Processus Biologiques, CNRS-UMR 8229, Collège de France, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 11 Place Marcelin Berthelot, CEDEX 05, 75231 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Conservation and Diversification of tRNA t6A-Modifying Enzymes across the Three Domains of Life. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113600. [PMID: 36362385 PMCID: PMC9654439 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The universal N6-threonylcarbamoyladenosine (t6A) modification occurs at position 37 of tRNAs that decipher codons starting with adenosine. Mechanistically, t6A stabilizes structural configurations of the anticodon stem loop, promotes anticodon–codon pairing and safeguards the translational fidelity. The biosynthesis of tRNA t6A is co-catalyzed by two universally conserved protein families of TsaC/Sua5 (COG0009) and TsaD/Kae1/Qri7 (COG0533). Enzymatically, TsaC/Sua5 protein utilizes the substrates of L-threonine, HCO3−/CO2 and ATP to synthesize an intermediate L-threonylcarbamoyladenylate, of which the threonylcarbamoyl-moiety is subsequently transferred onto the A37 of substrate tRNAs by the TsaD–TsaB –TsaE complex in bacteria or by the KEOPS complex in archaea and eukaryotic cytoplasm, whereas Qri7/OSGEPL1 protein functions on its own in mitochondria. Depletion of tRNA t6A interferes with protein homeostasis and gravely affects the life of unicellular organisms and the fitness of higher eukaryotes. Pathogenic mutations of YRDC, OSGEPL1 and KEOPS are implicated in a number of human mitochondrial and neurological diseases, including autosomal recessive Galloway–Mowat syndrome. The molecular mechanisms underscoring both the biosynthesis and cellular roles of tRNA t6A are presently not well elucidated. This review summarizes current mechanistic understandings of the catalysis, regulation and disease implications of tRNA t6A-biosynthetic machineries of three kingdoms of life, with a special focus on delineating the structure–function relationship from perspectives of conservation and diversity.
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
tRNAs are key adaptor molecules that decipher the genetic code during translation of mRNAs in protein synthesis. In contrast to the traditional view of tRNAs as ubiquitously expressed housekeeping molecules, awareness is now growing that tRNA-encoding genes display tissue-specific and cell type-specific patterns of expression, and that tRNA gene expression and function are both dynamically regulated by post-transcriptional RNA modifications. Moreover, dysregulation of tRNAs, mediated by alterations in either their abundance or function, can have deleterious consequences that contribute to several distinct human diseases, including neurological disorders and cancer. Accumulating evidence shows that reprogramming of mRNA translation through altered tRNA activity can drive pathological processes in a codon-dependent manner. This Review considers the emerging evidence in support of the precise control of functional tRNA levels as an important regulatory mechanism that coordinates mRNA translation and protein expression in physiological cell homeostasis, and highlights key examples of human diseases that are linked directly to tRNA dysregulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esteban A Orellana
- Stem Cell Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elisabeth Siegal
- Stem Cell Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard I Gregory
- Stem Cell Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Harvard Initiative for RNA Medicine, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Ma J, Zhang L, Li S, Liu H. BRPCA: Bounded Robust Principal Component Analysis to Incorporate Similarity Network for N7-Methylguanosine(m 7G) Site-Disease Association Prediction. IEEE/ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS 2022; 19:3295-3306. [PMID: 34469307 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2021.3109055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed that N7-methylguanosine(m7G) plays a pivotal role in various biological processes and disease pathogenesis. To date, transcriptome-wide m7G modification sites have been identified by high-throughput sequencing approaches, and some related information has been recorded in a few biological databases. However, the mechanism of site action in disease remains uncharted. Wet experiments can help identify true m7G sites with high confidence, but it is time-consuming to find the true ones in such a large number of sites, which will also cost too much. Thus, computational methods are emergently needed to predict the associations between m7G sites and various diseases, thus help to uncover potential active sites for specific diseases. In this article, we proposed a bounded robust principal component analysis (BRPCA) method to predict unknown m7G-disease association based on similarity information. Importantly, BRPCA tolerates the noise and redundancy existing in association and similarity information. Moreover, a suitable bounded constraint is incorporated into BRPCA to ensure that the predicted association scores locate in a meaningful interval. The extensive experiments demonstrate the superiority and robustness of the BRPCA.
Collapse
|
50
|
Wang L, Lin S. Emerging functions of tRNA modifications in mRNA translation and diseases. J Genet Genomics 2022; 50:223-232. [PMID: 36309201 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
tRNAs are essential modulators that recognize mRNA codons and bridge amino acids for mRNA translation. The tRNAs are heavily modified, which is essential for forming a complex secondary structure that facilitates codon recognition and mRNA translation. In recent years, studies have identified the regulatory roles of tRNA modifications in mRNA translation networks. Misregulation of tRNA modifications is closely related to the progression of developmental diseases and cancers. In this review, we summarize the tRNA biogenesis process and then discuss the effects and mechanisms of tRNA modifications on tRNA processing and mRNA translation. Finally, we provide a comprehensive overview of tRNA modifications' physiological and pathological functions, focusing on diseases including cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Department of Medical Laboratory, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China; Center for Translational Medicine, Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Shuibin Lin
- Center for Translational Medicine, Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
| |
Collapse
|