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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.
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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.)
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Kimura S, Dedon PC, Waldor MK. Comparative tRNA sequencing and RNA mass spectrometry for surveying tRNA modifications. Nat Chem Biol 2020; 16:964-972. [PMID: 32514182 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-020-0558-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chemical modifications of the nucleosides that comprise transfer RNAs are diverse. However, the structure, location and extent of modifications have been systematically charted in very few organisms. Here, we describe an approach in which rapid prediction of modified sites through reverse transcription-derived signatures in high-throughput transfer RNA-sequencing (tRNA-seq) data is coupled with identification of tRNA modifications through RNA mass spectrometry. Comparative tRNA-seq enabled prediction of several Vibrio cholerae modifications that are absent from Escherichia coli and also revealed the effects of various environmental conditions on V. cholerae tRNA modification. Through RNA mass spectrometric analyses, we showed that two of the V. cholerae-specific reverse transcription signatures reflected the presence of a new modification (acetylated acp3U (acacp3U)), while the other results from C-to-Ψ RNA editing, a process not described before. These findings demonstrate the utility of this approach for rapid surveillance of tRNA modification profiles and environmental control of tRNA modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Kimura
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Peter C Dedon
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institution of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Matthew K Waldor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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3
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The RNA degradosome promotes tRNA quality control through clearance of hypomodified tRNA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:1394-1403. [PMID: 30622183 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1814130116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The factors and mechanisms that govern tRNA stability in bacteria are not well understood. Here, we investigated the influence of posttranscriptional modification of bacterial tRNAs (tRNA modification) on tRNA stability. We focused on ThiI-generated 4-thiouridine (s4U), a modification found in bacterial and archaeal tRNAs. Comprehensive quantification of Vibrio cholerae tRNAs revealed that the abundance of some tRNAs is decreased in a ΔthiI strain in a stationary phase-specific manner. Multiple mechanisms, including rapid degradation of a subset of hypomodified tRNAs, account for the reduced abundance of tRNAs in the absence of thiI Through transposon insertion sequencing, we identified additional tRNA modifications that promote tRNA stability and bacterial viability. Genetic analysis of suppressor mutants as well as biochemical analyses revealed that rapid degradation of hypomodified tRNA is mediated by the RNA degradosome. Elongation factor Tu seems to compete with the RNA degradosome, protecting aminoacyl tRNAs from decay. Together, our observations describe a previously unrecognized bacterial tRNA quality control system in which hypomodification sensitizes tRNAs to decay mediated by the RNA degradosome.
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Shigi N. Recent Advances in Our Understanding of the Biosynthesis of Sulfur Modifications in tRNAs. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2679. [PMID: 30450093 PMCID: PMC6225789 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfur is an essential element in all living organisms. In tRNA molecules, there are many sulfur-containing nucleosides, introduced post-transcriptionally, that function to ensure proper codon recognition or stabilization of tRNA structure, thereby enabling accurate and efficient translation. The biosynthesis of tRNA sulfur modifications involves unique sulfur trafficking systems that are closely related to cellular sulfur metabolism, and “modification enzymes” that incorporate sulfur atoms into tRNA. Herein, recent biochemical and structural characterization of the biosynthesis of sulfur modifications in tRNA is reviewed, with special emphasis on the reaction mechanisms of modification enzymes. It was recently revealed that TtuA/Ncs6-type 2-thiouridylases from thermophilic bacteria/archaea/eukaryotes are oxygen-sensitive iron-sulfur proteins that utilize a quite different mechanism from other 2-thiouridylase subtypes lacking iron-sulfur clusters such as bacterial MnmA. The various reaction mechanisms of RNA sulfurtransferases are also discussed, including tRNA methylthiotransferase MiaB (a radical S-adenosylmethionine-type iron-sulfur enzyme) and other sulfurtransferases involved in both primary and secondary sulfur-containing metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Shigi
- Biotechnology Research Institute for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan
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Tomikawa C, Ohira T, Inoue Y, Kawamura T, Yamagishi A, Suzuki T, Hori H. Distinct tRNA modifications in the thermo-acidophilic archaeon, Thermoplasma acidophilum. FEBS Lett 2013; 587:3575-80. [PMID: 24076028 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Revised: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Thermoplasma acidophilum is a thermo-acidophilic archaeon. We purified tRNA(Leu) (UAG) from T. acidophilum using a solid-phase DNA probe method and determined the RNA sequence after determining via nucleoside analysis and m(7)G-specific aniline cleavage because it has been reported that T. acidophilum tRNA contains m(7)G, which is generally not found in archaeal tRNAs. RNA sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that the m(7)G modification exists at a novel position 49. Furthermore, we found several distinct modifications, which have not previously been found in archaeal tRNA, such as 4-thiouridine9, archaeosine13 and 5-carbamoylmethyuridine34. The related tRNA modification enzymes and their genes are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chie Tomikawa
- Department of Materials Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Bunkyo 3, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
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Nair TM, Myszka DG, Davis DR. Surface plasmon resonance kinetic studies of the HIV TAR RNA kissing hairpin complex and its stabilization by 2-thiouridine modification. Nucleic Acids Res 2000; 28:1935-40. [PMID: 10756194 PMCID: PMC103298 DOI: 10.1093/nar/28.9.1935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Surface plasmon resonance (BIACORE) was used to determine the kinetic values for formation of the HIV TAR-TAR* ('kissing hairpin') RNA complex. The TAR component was also synthesized with the modified nucleoside 2-thiouridine at position 7 in the loop and the kinetics and equilibrium dissociation constants compared with the unmodified TAR hairpin. The BIACORE data show an equilibrium dissociation constant of 1.58 nM for the complex containing the s(2)U modified TAR hairpin, which is 8-fold lower than for the parent hairpin (12.5 nM). This is a result of a 2-fold faster k(a) (4.14x10(5) M(-1) s(-1) versus 2.1x10(5) M(-1) s(-1)) and a 4-fold slower k(d) (6.55x10(-4) s(-1) versus 2.63x10(-3) s(-1)). (1)H NMR imino spectra show that the secondary structure interactions involved in complex formation are retained in the s(2)U-modified complex. Magnesium has been reported to significantly stabilize the TAR-TAR* complex and we found that Mn(2+) and Ca(2+) are also strongly stabilizing, while Mg(2+) exhibited the greatest effect on the complex kinetics. The stabilizing effects of 2-thiouridine indicate that this base modification may be generally useful as an antisense RNA modification for oligonucleotide therapeutics which target RNA loops.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Nair
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Yan X, Xue H, Liu H, Hang J, Wong JT, Zhu G. NMR studies of Bacillus subtilis tRNA(Trp) hyperexpressed in Escherichia coli. Assignment of imino proton signals and determination of thermal stability. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:6712-6. [PMID: 10702225 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.275.10.6712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
15N-Labeled Bacillus subtilis tRNA(Trp) wild type and a series of mutants were hyperexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified for NMR studies with the use of two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) and heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) and three-dimensional NOESY-HSQC techniques. These made possible chemical shift assignments of imino protons and determination of the thermal stability of the tRNA(Trp) molecules. Almost all of the imino protons in the helical regions and the tertiary base pairs were assigned, except three imino protons of the AU base pairs whose peaks were not clearly observed. Several base triplets found in the crystal structure of tRNA were observed in the present study as well. These studies also revealed two components of tRNA(Trp), which could not be separated by high pressure liquid chromatography, corresponding to s(4)U and U at position 8 of the tRNA(Trp), as indicated by two different sets of peaks for the TpsiC and D arms. The modification at position 8 altered the local conformation of the core region of the tRNA. Thermal unfolding experiments showed that the unfolding process is cooperative in the presence of a high concentration of magnesium ions and that the component corresponding to the s(4)U8 is more stable than the U8 component, thus providing evidence that the thiolation of U8 stabilizes the tertiary structure of tRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Yan
- Department of Biochemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
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Van de Ven FJ, Hilbers CW. Nucleic acids and nuclear magnetic resonance. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY 1988; 178:1-38. [PMID: 3060357 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1988.tb14425.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- F J Van de Ven
- Department of Biophysical Chemistry, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Abstract
The early NMR research on nucleic acids was of a qualitative nature and was restricted to partial characterization of short oligonucleotides in aqueous solution. Major advances in magnet design, spectrometer electronics, pulse techniques, data analysis and computational capabilities coupled with the availability of pure and abundant supply of long oligonucleotides have extended these studies towards the determination of the 3-D structure of nucleic acids in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Patel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032
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Griffey RH, Redfield AG. Proton-detected heteronuclear edited and correlated nuclear magnetic resonance and nuclear Overhauser effect in solution. Q Rev Biophys 1987; 19:51-82. [PMID: 2819934 DOI: 10.1017/s0033583500004029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The proton has been the nucleus of choice for NMR studies of macromolecules because it is ubiquitous; it provides the highest sensitivity; its resonances can be identified with types of amino and nucleic acids by means of experiments utilizing proton spin-spin interaction and chemical shift; and, most important, proton NMR yields distance information via the nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE). Many of these advantages are lost for larger biopolymers (molecular weight more than 15 kDa) for which the line width is considerably greater than the proton-proton spin-spin interaction. The spin-spin interaction is then useless or difficult to use for assignment; and furthermore the proton line width and the number of proton resonances both increase in proportion to the molecular weight, thereby increasing the problem of resonance overlap to an intolerable degree.
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