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Florentz C, Giegé R. History of tRNA research in strasbourg. IUBMB Life 2019; 71:1066-1087. [PMID: 31185141 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The tRNA molecules, in addition to translating the genetic code into protein and defining the second genetic code via their aminoacylation by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, act in many other cellular functions and dysfunctions. This article, illustrated by personal souvenirs, covers the history of ~60 years tRNA research in Strasbourg. Typical examples point up how the work in Strasbourg was a two-way street, influenced by and at the same time influencing investigators outside of France. All along, research in Strasbourg has nurtured the structural and functional diversity of tRNA. It produced massive sequence and crystallographic data on tRNA and its partners, thereby leading to a deeper physicochemical understanding of tRNA architecture, dynamics, and identity. Moreover, it emphasized the role of nucleoside modifications and in the last two decades, highlighted tRNA idiosyncrasies in plants and organelles, together with cellular and health-focused aspects. The tRNA field benefited from a rich local academic heritage and a strong support by both university and CNRS. Its broad interlinks to the worldwide community of tRNA researchers opens to an exciting future. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 2019 © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(8):1066-1087, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Florentz
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS and Université de Strasbourg, F-67084, 15 rue René Descartes, Strasbourg, France.,Direction de la Recherche et de la Valorisation, Université de Strasbourg, F-67084, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, Strasbourg, France
| | - Richard Giegé
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS and Université de Strasbourg, F-67084, 15 rue René Descartes, Strasbourg, France
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Duchêne AM, Pujol C, Maréchal-Drouard L. Import of tRNAs and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases into mitochondria. Curr Genet 2008; 55:1-18. [PMID: 19083240 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-008-0223-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2008] [Revised: 11/21/2008] [Accepted: 11/24/2008] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
During evolution, most of the bacterial genes from the ancestral endosymbiotic alpha-proteobacteria at the origin of mitochondria have been either lost or transferred to the nuclear genome. A crucial evolutionary step was the establishment of macromolecule import systems to allow the come back of proteins and RNAs into the organelle. Paradoxically, the few mitochondria-encoded protein genes remain essential and must be translated by a mitochondrial translation machinery mainly constituted by nucleus-encoded components. Two crucial partners of the mitochondrial translation machinery are the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and the tRNAs. All mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and many tRNAs are imported from the cytosol into the mitochondria in eukaryotic cells. During the last few years, their origin and their import into the organelle have been studied in evolutionary distinct organisms and we review here what is known in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Marie Duchêne
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Unité Propre de Recherche du CNRS, Associated with Louis Pasteur University, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, 67084, Strasbourg Cedex, France.
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Hogg J, Schiefermayr E, Schiltz E, Igloi GL. Expression and properties of arginyl-tRNA synthetase from jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis). Protein Expr Purif 2008; 61:163-7. [PMID: 18562210 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2008.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2008] [Revised: 05/13/2008] [Accepted: 05/14/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The coding region for arginyl-tRNA synthetase from jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) has been sequenced and cloned into the bacterial expression vector pET32a. Transformation of BL21 cells and induction with IPTG results in the high level expression of the protein fused N-terminally with thioredoxin and bearing a His-tag. A substantial proportion of the enzyme is recovered in the soluble fraction of the cell lysate (10 mg per litre cell culture) and can be isolated with metal-affinity technology. The thioredoxin component and the His-tag portion of the fused protein could be removed with thrombin, resulting in a homogeneous product retaining an N-terminal extension of 3.2 kDa compared to the native arginyl-tRNA synthetase. Both full-length fusion and thrombin-treated products proved to be active in aminoacylation, with similar kinetic parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Hogg
- Institute of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
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Duchêne AM, Giritch A, Hoffmann B, Cognat V, Lancelin D, Peeters NM, Zaepfel M, Maréchal-Drouard L, Small ID. Dual targeting is the rule for organellar aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in Arabidopsis thaliana. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:16484-9. [PMID: 16251277 PMCID: PMC1283425 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0504682102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In plants, protein synthesis occurs in the cytosol, mitochondria, and plastids. Each compartment requires a full set of tRNAs and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. We have undertaken a systematic analysis of the targeting of organellar aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Dual targeting appeared to be a general rule. Among the 24 identified organellar aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), 15 (and probably 17) are shared between mitochondria and plastids, and 5 are shared between cytosol and mitochondria (one of these aaRSs being present also in chloroplasts). Only two were shown to be uniquely chloroplastic and none to be uniquely mitochondrial. Moreover, there are no examples where the three aaRS genes originating from the three ancestral genomes still coexist. These results indicate that extensive exchange of aaRSs has occurred during evolution and that many are now shared between two or even three compartments. The findings have important implications for studies of the translation machinery in plants and on protein targeting and gene transfer in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Marie Duchêne
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) et Université Louis Pasteur, 12 Rue du Général Zimmer, F-67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France.
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Ling C, Yao YN, Zheng YG, Wei H, Wang L, Wu XF, Wang ED. The C-terminal appended domain of human cytosolic leucyl-tRNA synthetase is indispensable in its interaction with arginyl-tRNA synthetase in the multi-tRNA synthetase complex. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:34755-63. [PMID: 16055448 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m413511200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytosolic leucyl-tRNA synthetase is one component of a macromolecular aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex. This is unlike prokaryotic and lower eukaryotic LeuRSs that exist as free soluble enzymes. There is little known about it, since the purified enzyme has been unavailable. Herein, human cytosolic leucyl-tRNA synthetase was heterologously expressed in a baculovirus system and purified to homogeneity. The molecular mass (135 kDa) of the enzyme is close to the theoretical value derived from its cDNA. The kinetic constants of the enzyme for ATP, leucine, and tRNA(Leu) in the ATP-PP(i) exchange and tRNA leucylation reactions were determined, and the results showed that it is quite active as a free enzyme. Human cytosolic leucyl-tRNA synthetase expressed in human 293 T cells localizes predominantly to the cytosol. Additionally, it is found to have a long C-terminal extension that is absent from bacterial and yeast LeuRSs. A C-terminal 89-amino acid truncated human cytosolic leucyl-tRNA synthetase was constructed and purified, and the catalytic activities, thermal stability, and subcellular location were found to be almost identical to native enzyme. In vivo and in vitro experiments, however, show that the C-terminal extension of human cytosolic leucyl-tRNA synthetase is indispensable for its interaction with the N-terminal of human cytosolic arginyl-tRNA synthetase in the macromolecular complex. Our results also indicate that the two molecules interact with each other only through their appended domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031
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Yao YN, Wang L, Wu XF, Wang ED. The processing of human mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA synthetase in the insect cells. FEBS Lett 2003; 534:139-42. [PMID: 12527375 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)03833-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
A His-tagged full-length cDNA of human mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA synthetase was expressed in a baculovirus system. The N-terminal sequence of the enzyme isolated from the mitochondria of insect cells was found to be IYSATGKWTKEYTL, indicating that the mitochondrial targeting signal peptide was cleaved between Ser39 and Ile40 after the enzyme precursor was translocated into mitochondria. The enzyme purified from mitochondria catalyzed the leucylation of Escherichia coli tRNA(1)(Leu)(CAG) and Aquifex aeolicus tRNA(Leu)(GAG) with higher catalytic activity in the leucylation of E. coli tRNA(Leu) than that previously expressed in E. coli without the N-terminal 21 residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Neng Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, PR China
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Schön A, Söll D. tRNA specificity of a mischarging aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase: Glutamyl-tRNA synthetase from barley chloroplasts. FEBS Lett 2001. [DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(88)80007-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Bullard JM, Cai YC, Spremulli LL. Expression and characterization of the human mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA synthetase. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2000; 1490:245-58. [PMID: 10684970 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-4781(99)00240-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A cDNA clone encoding the human mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA synthetase (mtLeuRS) has been identified from the EST databases. Analysis of the protein encoded by this cDNA indicates that the protein is 903 amino acids in length and contains a mitochondrial signal sequence that is predicted to encompass the first 21 amino acids. Sequence analysis shows that this protein contains the characteristic motifs of class I aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and regions of high homology to other mitochondrial and bacterial LeuRS proteins. The mature form of this protein has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Gel filtration indicates that human mtLeuRS is active in a monomeric state, with an apparent molecular mass of 101 kDa. The human mtLeuRS is capable of aminoacylating E. coli tRNA(Leu). Its activity is inhibited at high levels of either monovalent or divalent cations. K(M) and k(cat) values for ATP:PP(i) exchange and for the aminoacylation reaction have been determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Bullard
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA
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Menand B, Maréchal-Drouard L, Sakamoto W, Dietrich A, Wintz H. A single gene of chloroplast origin codes for mitochondrial and chloroplastic methionyl-tRNA synthetase in Arabidopsis thaliana. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1998; 95:11014-9. [PMID: 9724821 PMCID: PMC28012 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.95.18.11014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
One-fifth of the tRNAs used in plant mitochondrial translation is coded for by chloroplast-derived tRNA genes. To understand how aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases have adapted to the presence of these tRNAs in mitochondria, we have cloned an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA coding for a methionyl-tRNA synthetase. This enzyme was chosen because chloroplast-like elongator tRNAMet genes have been described in several plant species, including A. thaliana. We demonstrate here that the isolated cDNA codes for both the chloroplastic and the mitochondrial methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS). The protein is transported into isolated chloroplasts and mitochondria and is processed to its mature form in both organelles. Transient expression assays using the green fluorescent protein demonstrated that the N-terminal region of the MetRS is sufficient to address the protein to both chloroplasts and mitochondria. Moreover, characterization of MetRS activities from mitochondria and chloroplasts of pea showed that only one MetRS activity exists in each organelle and that both are indistinguishable by their behavior on ion exchange and hydrophobic chromatographies. The high degree of sequence similarity between A. thaliana and Synechocystis MetRS strongly suggests that the A. thaliana MetRS gene described here is of chloroplast origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Menand
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Louis Pasteur, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, F-67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France
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Carneiro VT, Dietrich A, Maréchal-Drouard L, Cosset A, Pelletier G, Small I. Characterization of some major identity elements in plant alanine and phenylalanine transfer RNAs. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 1994; 26:1843-53. [PMID: 7532029 DOI: 10.1007/bf00019497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Alanine and phenylalanine tRNA sequences were amplified by PCR from Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear DNA using degenerate oligonucleotides which introduced specific mutations into the acceptor stem. The aminoacylation of T7 RNA polymerase transcripts of these sequences was investigated in vitro using partially purified bean alanyl- or phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase. In parallel, the in vivo activity of amber suppressor derivatives of these tRNAs was investigated in transient expression assays in tobacco protoplasts using a beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene containing a premature amber stop codon. The results show that mutation of the G3:U70 base pair to G3:C70 blocks aminoacylation of plant alanine tRNA, whilst conversion of the G3:C70 pair normally found in plant tRNA(Phe) to G3:U70 enables the mutated tRNA(Phe) to be a good substrate for alanyl-tRNA synthetase and impairs its aminoacylation with phenylalanine. In addition, the amber suppressor derivative of wild-type tRNA(Phe) showed very little suppressor activity in vivo, and was poorly aminoacylated with phenylalanine in vitro, suggesting that the anticodon is a major identity determinant for tRNA(Phe) in plant cells.
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MESH Headings
- Alanine-tRNA Ligase/metabolism
- Anticodon
- Arabidopsis/genetics
- Base Composition
- Base Sequence
- Brassica/genetics
- Cloning, Molecular
- Genes, Reporter
- Glucuronidase/biosynthesis
- Glucuronidase/genetics
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phenylalanine-tRNA Ligase/metabolism
- Plants/genetics
- Plants, Toxic
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Protoplasts
- RNA/biosynthesis
- RNA, Transfer, Ala/genetics
- RNA, Transfer, Ala/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer, Phe/genetics
- RNA, Transfer, Phe/metabolism
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Solanum tuberosum/genetics
- Substrate Specificity
- Suppression, Genetic
- Nicotiana/genetics
- Transcription, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- V T Carneiro
- Station de Génétique et d'Amélioration des Plantes, INRA, Centre de Versailles, France
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12
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In vitro synthesis of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) chloroplastic and cytoplasmic leucyl-tRNA synthetases. Characterization and processing of a precursor polypeptide for the chloroplast enzyme. J Biol Chem 1987. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(18)61339-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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13
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Steup M, Schächtele C. α-1,4-glucan phosphorylase forms from leaves of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) : II. Peptide patterns and immunological properties. A comparison with other phosphorylase forms. PLANTA 1986; 168:222-231. [PMID: 24232025 DOI: 10.1007/bf00402967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/1985] [Accepted: 01/22/1986] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Peptide patterns and immunological properties of the cytoplasmic and chloroplastic α-1,4-glucan phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.1) from spinach leaves have been studied and were compared with those of phosphorylases from other sources. The two spinach leaf phosphorylases were immunologically different; a limited cross-reactivity was observed only at high antigen or antibody concentrations. Peptide mapping of the two enzymes resulted in complex patterns composed of more than 20 fragments; but no peptide was electrophoretically identical in both proteins. Approximately 13 to 15 of the fragments exhibited antigeneity but no cross-reactivity of any peptide was observed. Therefore, the two compartment-specific phosphorylase forms from spinach leaves represent isoenzymes possessing different primary structures. Peptide patterns of potato tuber and rabbit muscle phosphorylase were different from those of the two spinach leaf enzymes. Although the potato tuber phosphorylase resides in the plastidic compartment and is kinetically closely related to the chloroplastic spinach enzyme, it reacted more strongly with the anti-cytoplasmic-phosphorylase immunoglobulin G. Similar results were obtained with rabbit muscle phosphorylase. These observations support the assumption that the chloroplast-specific phosphorylase isoenzyme has a higher structural diversity than does the cytoplasmic counterpart.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Steup
- Botanisches Institut der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität, Schlossgarten 3, D-4400, Münster, Federal Republic of Germany
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Phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from chloroplasts of a higher plant (Phaseolus vulgaris). Purification and comparison of its structural, functional, and immunological properties with those of the enzymes from the corresponding cytoplasm, the cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans, and the photosynthetic green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium limicola. J Biol Chem 1986. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(17)35857-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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