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Gao Y, Liu H, Zhang C, Su S, Chen Y, Chen X, Li Y, Shao Z, Zhang Y, Shao Q, Li J, Huang Z, Ma J, Gan J. Structural basis for guide RNA trimming by RNase D ribonuclease in Trypanosoma brucei. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:568-583. [PMID: 33332555 PMCID: PMC7797062 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with kinetoplastid parasites, including Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and Leishmania can cause serious disease in humans. Like other kinetoplastid species, mRNAs of these disease-causing parasites must undergo posttranscriptional editing in order to be functional. mRNA editing is directed by gRNAs, a large group of small RNAs. Similar to mRNAs, gRNAs are also precisely regulated. In T. brucei, overexpression of RNase D ribonuclease (TbRND) leads to substantial reduction in the total gRNA population and subsequent inhibition of mRNA editing. However, the mechanisms regulating gRNA binding and cleavage by TbRND are not well defined. Here, we report a thorough structural study of TbRND. Besides Apo- and NMP-bound structures, we also solved one TbRND structure in complexed with single-stranded RNA. In combination with mutagenesis and in vitro cleavage assays, our structures indicated that TbRND follows the conserved two-cation-assisted mechanism in catalysis. TbRND is a unique RND member, as it contains a ZFD domain at its C-terminus. In addition to T. brucei, our studies also advanced our understanding on the potential gRNA degradation pathway in T. cruzi, Leishmania, as well for as other disease-associated parasites expressing ZFD-containing RNDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqing Gao
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Hehua Liu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shichen Su
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yiqing Chen
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yangyang Li
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhiwei Shao
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yixi Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Qiyuan Shao
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jixi Li
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhen Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jinbiao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jianhua Gan
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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2
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Aphasizheva I, Alfonzo J, Carnes J, Cestari I, Cruz-Reyes J, Göringer HU, Hajduk S, Lukeš J, Madison-Antenucci S, Maslov DA, McDermott SM, Ochsenreiter T, Read LK, Salavati R, Schnaufer A, Schneider A, Simpson L, Stuart K, Yurchenko V, Zhou ZH, Zíková A, Zhang L, Zimmer S, Aphasizhev R. Lexis and Grammar of Mitochondrial RNA Processing in Trypanosomes. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:337-355. [PMID: 32191849 PMCID: PMC7083771 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei spp. cause African human and animal trypanosomiasis, a burden on health and economy in Africa. These hemoflagellates are distinguished by a kinetoplast nucleoid containing mitochondrial DNAs of two kinds: maxicircles encoding ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and proteins and minicircles bearing guide RNAs (gRNAs) for mRNA editing. All RNAs are produced by a phage-type RNA polymerase as 3' extended precursors, which undergo exonucleolytic trimming. Most pre-mRNAs proceed through 3' adenylation, uridine insertion/deletion editing, and 3' A/U-tailing. The rRNAs and gRNAs are 3' uridylated. Historically, RNA editing has attracted major research effort, and recently essential pre- and postediting processing events have been discovered. Here, we classify the key players that transform primary transcripts into mature molecules and regulate their function and turnover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Aphasizheva
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Medical Campus, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Juan Alfonzo
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jason Carnes
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Igor Cestari
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, H9X3V9, Québec, Canada
| | - Jorge Cruz-Reyes
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - H Ulrich Göringer
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Darmstadt University of Technology, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stephen Hajduk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences and Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Susan Madison-Antenucci
- Parasitology Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA
| | - Dmitri A Maslov
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, University of California - Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Suzanne M McDermott
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Torsten Ochsenreiter
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland
| | - Laurie K Read
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Reza Salavati
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, H9X3V9, Québec, Canada
| | - Achim Schnaufer
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
| | - André Schneider
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland
| | - Larry Simpson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, USA
| | - Kenneth Stuart
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic; Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Z Hong Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, USA
| | - Alena Zíková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences and Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Liye Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Sara Zimmer
- University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus, Duluth, MN 55812, USA
| | - Ruslan Aphasizhev
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Medical Campus, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Maslov DA. Separating the Wheat from the Chaff: RNA Editing and Selection of Translatable mRNA in Trypanosome Mitochondria. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8030105. [PMID: 31323762 PMCID: PMC6789859 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mitochondria of trypanosomes and related kinetoplastid protists, most mRNAs undergo a long and sophisticated maturation pathway before they can be productively translated by mitochondrial ribosomes. Some of the aspects of this pathway (identity of the promotors, transcription initiation, and termination signals) remain obscure, and some (post-transcriptional modification by U-insertion/deletion, RNA editing, 3′-end maturation) have been illuminated by research during the last decades. The RNA editing creates an open reading frame for a productive translation, but the fully edited mRNA often represents a minor fraction in the pool of pre-edited and partially edited precursors. Therefore, it has been expected that the final stages of the mRNA processing generate molecular hallmarks, which allow for the efficient and selective recognition of translation-competent templates. The general contours and several important details of this process have become known only recently and represent the subject of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitri A Maslov
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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Recent advances in trypanosomatid research: genome organization, expression, metabolism, taxonomy and evolution. Parasitology 2018; 146:1-27. [PMID: 29898792 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182018000951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Unicellular flagellates of the family Trypanosomatidae are obligatory parasites of invertebrates, vertebrates and plants. Dixenous species are aetiological agents of a number of diseases in humans, domestic animals and plants. Their monoxenous relatives are restricted to insects. Because of the high biological diversity, adaptability to dramatically different environmental conditions, and omnipresence, these protists have major impact on all biotic communities that still needs to be fully elucidated. In addition, as these organisms represent a highly divergent evolutionary lineage, they are strikingly different from the common 'model system' eukaryotes, such as some mammals, plants or fungi. A number of excellent reviews, published over the past decade, were dedicated to specialized topics from the areas of trypanosomatid molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, host-parasite relationships or other aspects of these fascinating organisms. However, there is a need for a more comprehensive review that summarizing recent advances in the studies of trypanosomatids in the last 30 years, a task, which we tried to accomplish with the current paper.
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Aphasizheva I, Zhang L, Aphasizhev R. Investigating RNA editing factors from trypanosome mitochondria. Methods 2016; 107:23-33. [PMID: 27020893 PMCID: PMC5094665 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2016.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial U-insertion/deletion mRNA editing is carried out by two principal multiprotein assemblies, enzymatic RNA editing core (RECC) and RNA editing substrate binding (RESC) complexes, and a plethora of auxiliary factors. An integral part of mitochondrial gene expression, editing receives inputs from primary mRNA and gRNA precursor processing pathways, and generates substrates for mRNA polyadenylation and translation. Although nearly all RECC-embedded enzymes have been implicated in specific editing reactions, the majority of proteins that populate the RESC are also essential for generating edited mRNAs. However, lack of recognizable motifs in RESC subunits limits the prowess of bioinformatics in guiding biochemical experiments and elucidating their specific biological functions. In this chapter, we describe a generic workflow for investigating mitochondrial mRNA editing in Trypanosoma brucei and focus on several methods that proved instrumental is assigning definitive functions to editing factors lacking known signature sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Aphasizheva
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Liye Zhang
- Section of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Ruslan Aphasizhev
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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6
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ExoMeg1: a new exonuclease from metagenomic library. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19712. [PMID: 26815639 PMCID: PMC4750427 DOI: 10.1038/srep19712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA repair mechanisms are responsible for maintaining the integrity of DNA and are essential to life. However, our knowledge of DNA repair mechanisms is based on model organisms such as Escherichia coli, and little is known about free living and uncultured microorganisms. In this study, a functional screening was applied in a metagenomic library with the goal of discovering new genes involved in the maintenance of genomic integrity. One clone was identified and the sequence analysis showed an open reading frame homolog to a hypothetical protein annotated as a member of the Exo_Endo_Phos superfamily. This novel enzyme shows 3′-5′ exonuclease activity on single and double strand DNA substrates and it is divalent metal-dependent, EDTA-sensitive and salt resistant. The clone carrying the hypothetical ORF was able to complement strains deficient in recombination or base excision repair, suggesting that the new enzyme may be acting on the repair of single strand breaks with 3′ blockers, which are substrates for these repair pathways. Because this is the first report of an enzyme obtained from a metagenomic approach showing exonuclease activity, it was named ExoMeg1. The metagenomic approach has proved to be a useful tool for identifying new genes of uncultured microorganisms.
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7
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Aphasizheva I, Aphasizhev R. U-Insertion/Deletion mRNA-Editing Holoenzyme: Definition in Sight. Trends Parasitol 2015; 32:144-156. [PMID: 26572691 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
RNA editing is a process that alters DNA-encoded sequences and is distinct from splicing, 5' capping, and 3' additions. In 30 years since editing was discovered in mitochondria of trypanosomes, several functionally and evolutionarily unrelated mechanisms have been described in eukaryotes, archaea, and viruses. Editing events are predominantly post-transcriptional and include nucleoside insertions and deletions, and base substitutions and modifications. Here, we review the mechanism of uridine insertion/deletion mRNA editing in kinetoplastid protists typified by Trypanosoma brucei. This type of editing corrects frameshifts, introduces translation punctuation signals, and often adds hundreds of uridines to create protein-coding sequences. We focus on protein complexes responsible for editing reactions and their interactions with other elements of the mitochondrial gene expression pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Aphasizheva
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Ruslan Aphasizhev
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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8
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Read LK, Lukeš J, Hashimi H. Trypanosome RNA editing: the complexity of getting U in and taking U out. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2015; 7:33-51. [PMID: 26522170 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
RNA editing, which adds sequence information to RNAs post-transcriptionally, is a widespread phenomenon throughout eukaryotes. The most complex form of this process is the uridine (U) insertion/deletion editing that occurs in the mitochondria of kinetoplastid protists. RNA editing in these flagellates is specified by trans-acting guide RNAs and entails the insertion of hundreds and deletion of dozens of U residues from mitochondrial RNAs to produce mature, translatable mRNAs. An emerging model indicates that the machinery required for trypanosome RNA editing is much more complicated than previously appreciated. A family of RNA editing core complexes (RECCs), which contain the required enzymes and several structural proteins, catalyze cycles of U insertion and deletion. A second, dynamic multiprotein complex, the Mitochondrial RNA Binding 1 (MRB1) complex, has recently come to light as another essential component of the trypanosome RNA editing machinery. MRB1 likely serves as the platform for kinetoplastid RNA editing, and plays critical roles in RNA utilization and editing processivity. MRB1 also appears to act as a hub for coordination of RNA editing with additional mitochondrial RNA processing events. This review highlights the current knowledge regarding the complex molecular machinery involved in trypanosome RNA editing. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:33-51. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1313 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie K Read
- University at Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hassan Hashimi
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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Aphasizhev R, Aphasizheva I. Mitochondrial RNA editing in trypanosomes: small RNAs in control. Biochimie 2014; 100:125-31. [PMID: 24440637 PMCID: PMC4737708 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2014.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial mRNA editing in trypanosomes is a posttranscriptional processing pathway thereby uridine residues (Us) are inserted into, or deleted from, messenger RNA precursors. By correcting frameshifts, introducing start and stop codons, and often adding most of the coding sequence, editing restores open reading frames for mitochondrially-encoded mRNAs. There can be hundreds of editing events in a single pre-mRNA, typically spaced by few nucleotides, with U-insertions outnumbering U-deletions by approximately 10-fold. The mitochondrial genome is composed of ∼50 maxicircles and thousands of minicircles. Catenated maxi- and minicircles are packed into a dense structure called the kinetoplast; maxicircles yield rRNA and mRNA precursors while guide RNAs (gRNAs) are produced predominantly from minicircles, although varying numbers of maxicircle-encoded gRNAs have been identified in kinetoplastids species. Guide RNAs specify positions and the numbers of inserted or deleted Us by hybridizing to pre-mRNA and forming series of mismatches. These 50-60 nucleotide (nt) molecules are 3' uridylated by RET1 TUTase and stabilized via association with the gRNA binding complex (GRBC). Editing reactions of mRNA cleavage, U-insertion or deletion, and ligation are catalyzed by the RNA editing core complex (RECC). To function in mitochondrial translation, pre-mRNAs must further undergo post-editing 3' modification by polyadenylation/uridylation. Recent studies revealed a highly compound nature of mRNA editing and polyadenylation complexes and their interactions with the translational machinery. Here we focus on mechanisms of RNA editing and its functional coupling with pre- and post-editing 3' mRNA modification and gRNA maturation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan Aphasizhev
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Evans 4th Floor, E426, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Inna Aphasizheva
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Evans 4th Floor, E426, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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10
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Elmer JJ, Christensen MD, Rege K. Applying horizontal gene transfer phenomena to enhance non-viral gene therapy. J Control Release 2013; 172:246-257. [PMID: 23994344 PMCID: PMC4258102 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2013.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Revised: 08/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is widespread amongst prokaryotes, but eukaryotes tend to be far less promiscuous with their genetic information. However, several examples of HGT from pathogens into eukaryotic cells have been discovered and mimicked to improve non-viral gene delivery techniques. For example, several viral proteins and DNA sequences have been used to significantly increase cytoplasmic and nuclear gene delivery. Plant genetic engineering is routinely performed with the pathogenic bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens and similar pathogens (e.g. Bartonella henselae) may also be able to transform human cells. Intracellular parasites like Trypanosoma cruzi may also provide new insights into overcoming cellular barriers to gene delivery. Finally, intercellular nucleic acid transfer between host cells will also be briefly discussed. This article will review the unique characteristics of several different viruses and microbes and discuss how their traits have been successfully applied to improve non-viral gene delivery techniques. Consequently, pathogenic traits that originally caused diseases may eventually be used to treat many genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob J Elmer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova 19085, USA.
| | | | - Kaushal Rege
- Chemical Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-6106, USA.
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Abstract
RNA editing describes a chemically diverse set of biomolecular reactions in which the nucleotide sequence of RNA molecules is altered. Editing reactions have been identified in many organisms and frequently contribute to the maturation of organellar transcripts. A special editing reaction has evolved within the mitochondria of the kinetoplastid protozoa. The process is characterized by the insertion and deletion of uridine nucleotides into otherwise nontranslatable messenger RNAs. Kinetoplastid RNA editing involves an exclusive class of small, noncoding RNAs known as guide RNAs. Furthermore, a unique molecular machinery, the editosome, catalyzes the process. Editosomes are megadalton multienzyme assemblies that provide a catalytic surface for the individual steps of the reaction cycle. Here I review the current mechanistic understanding and molecular inventory of kinetoplastid RNA editing and the editosome machinery. Special emphasis is placed on the molecular morphology of the editing complex in order to correlate structural features with functional characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Ulrich Göringer
- Department of Genetics, Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany.
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12
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Villota C, Campos A, Vidaurre S, Oliveira-Cruz L, Boccardo E, Burzio VA, Varas M, Villegas J, Villa LL, Valenzuela PDT, Socías M, Roberts S, Burzio LO. Expression of mitochondrial non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) is modulated by high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogenes. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:21303-15. [PMID: 22539350 PMCID: PMC3375551 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.326694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of RNA and DNA oncogenic viruses has proved invaluable in the discovery of key cellular pathways that are rendered dysfunctional during cancer progression. An example is high risk human papillomavirus (HPV), the etiological agent of cervical cancer. The role of HPV oncogenes in cellular immortalization and transformation has been extensively investigated. We reported the differential expression of a family of human mitochondrial non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) between normal and cancer cells. Normal cells express a sense mitochondrial ncRNA (SncmtRNA) that seems to be required for cell proliferation and two antisense transcripts (ASncmtRNAs). In contrast, the ASncmtRNAs are down-regulated in cancer cells. To shed some light on the mechanisms that trigger down-regulation of the ASncmtRNAs, we studied human keratinocytes (HFK) immortalized with HPV. Here we show that immortalization of HFK with HPV-16 or 18 causes down-regulation of the ASncmtRNAs and induces the expression of a new sense transcript named SncmtRNA-2. Transduction of HFK with both E6 and E7 is sufficient to induce expression of SncmtRNA-2. Moreover, E2 oncogene is involved in down-regulation of the ASncmtRNAs. Knockdown of E2 in immortalized cells reestablishes in a reversible manner the expression of the ASncmtRNAs, suggesting that endogenous cellular factors(s) could play functions analogous to E2 during non-HPV-induced oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Villota
- Andes Biotechnologies SA, Fundación Ciencia para la Vida, Zanartu 1482 7782272, Chile.
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Carnes J, Lewis Ernst N, Wickham C, Panicucci B, Stuart K. KREX2 is not essential for either procyclic or bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33405. [PMID: 22438925 PMCID: PMC3305318 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Accepted: 02/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most mitochondrial mRNAs in Trypanosoma brucei require RNA editing for maturation and translation. The edited RNAs primarily encode proteins of the oxidative phosphorylation system. These parasites undergo extensive changes in energy metabolism between the insect and bloodstream stages which are mirrored by alterations in RNA editing. Two U-specific exonucleases, KREX1 and KREX2, are both present in protein complexes (editosomes) that catalyze RNA editing but the relative roles of each protein are not known. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The requirement for KREX2 for RNA editing in vivo was assessed in both procyclic (insect) and bloodstream form parasites by methods that use homologous recombination for gene elimination. These studies resulted in null mutant cells in which both alleles were eliminated. The viability of these cells demonstrates that KREX2 is not essential in either life cycle stage, despite certain defects in RNA editing in vivo. Furthermore, editosomes isolated from KREX2 null cells require KREX1 for in vitro U-specific exonuclease activity. CONCLUSIONS KREX2 is a U-specific exonuclease that is dispensable for RNA editing in vivo in T. brucei BFs and PFs. This result suggests that the U deletion activity, which is required for RNA editing, is primarily mediated in vivo by KREX1 which is normally found associated with only one type of editosome. The retention of the KREX2 gene implies a non-essential role or a role that is essential in other life cycle stages or conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Carnes
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Nancy Lewis Ernst
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Carey Wickham
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Brian Panicucci
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Kenneth Stuart
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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14
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15
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Salavati R, Moshiri H, Kala S, Shateri Najafabadi H. Inhibitors of RNA editing as potential chemotherapeutics against trypanosomatid pathogens. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2011; 2:36-46. [PMID: 24533263 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2011.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Revised: 10/17/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The related trypanosomatid pathogens, Trypanosoma brucei spp., Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. cause devastating diseases in humans and animals and continue to pose a major challenge in drug development. Mitochondrial RNA editing, catalyzed by multi-protein complexes known as editosomes, has provided an opportunity for development of efficient and specific chemotherapeutic targets against trypanosomatid pathogens. This review will discuss both methods for discovery of RNA editing inhibitors, as well as inhibitors against the T. brucei editosome that were recently discovered through creative virtual and high throughput screening methods. In addition, the use of these inhibitors as agents that can block or perturb one or more steps of the RNA editing process will be discussed. These inhibitors can potentially be used to study the dynamic processing and assembly of the editosome proteins. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms and specificities of these new inhibitors is needed in order to contribute to both the functional studies of an essential gene expression mechanism and to the possibility of future drug development against the trypanosomatid pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Salavati
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G1Y6 ; Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X3V9 ; McGill Centre for Bioinformatics, McGill University, Bellini Building, 3649 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G0B1
| | - Houtan Moshiri
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G1Y6 ; Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X3V9
| | - Smriti Kala
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X3V9
| | - Hamed Shateri Najafabadi
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X3V9 ; McGill Centre for Bioinformatics, McGill University, Bellini Building, 3649 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G0B1
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16
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Aphasizhev R, Aphasizheva I. Uridine insertion/deletion editing in trypanosomes: a playground for RNA-guided information transfer. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2011; 2:669-85. [PMID: 21823228 PMCID: PMC3154072 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
RNA editing is a collective term referring to enzymatic processes that change RNA sequence apart from splicing, 5' capping or 3' extension. In this article, we focus on uridine insertion/deletion mRNA editing found exclusively in mitochondria of kinetoplastid protists. This type of editing corrects frameshifts, introduces start and stops codons, and often adds much of the coding sequence to create an open reading frame. The mitochondrial genome of trypanosomatids, the most extensively studied clade within the order Kinetoplastida, is composed of ∼50 maxicircles with limited coding capacity and thousands of minicircles. To produce functional mRNAs, a multitude of nuclear-encoded factors mediate interactions of maxicircle-encoded pre-mRNAs with a vast repertoire of minicircle-encoded guide RNAs. Editing reactions of mRNA cleavage, U-insertions or U-deletions, and ligation are catalyzed by the RNA editing core complex (RECC, the 20S editosome) while each step of this enzymatic cascade is directed by guide RNAs. These 50-60 nucleotide (nt) molecules are 3' uridylated by RET1 TUTase and stabilized via association with the gRNA binding complex (GRBC). Remarkably, the information transfer between maxicircle and minicircle transcriptomes does not rely on template-dependent polymerization of nucleic acids. Instead, intrinsic substrate specificities of key enzymes are largely responsible for the fidelity of editing. Conversely, the efficiency of editing is enhanced by assembling enzymes and RNA binding proteins into stable multiprotein complexes. WIREs RNA 2011 2 669-685 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.82 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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MESH Headings
- Endonucleases/chemistry
- Endonucleases/genetics
- Endonucleases/metabolism
- Models, Biological
- Models, Molecular
- Protozoan Proteins/chemistry
- Protozoan Proteins/genetics
- Protozoan Proteins/metabolism
- RNA Editing/genetics
- RNA Editing/physiology
- RNA Helicases/chemistry
- RNA Helicases/genetics
- RNA Helicases/metabolism
- RNA, Guide, Kinetoplastida/genetics
- RNA, Guide, Kinetoplastida/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/chemistry
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Protozoan/chemistry
- RNA, Protozoan/genetics
- RNA, Protozoan/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Proteins/chemistry
- RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Trypanosoma/genetics
- Trypanosoma/metabolism
- Uridine/chemistry
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan Aphasizhev
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, USA.
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17
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Göringer HU, Katari VS, Böhm C. The structural landscape of native editosomes in African trypanosomes. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2011; 2:395-407. [PMID: 21957025 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The majority of mitochondrial pre-messenger RNAs in African trypanosomes are substrates of a U-nucleotide-specific insertion/deletion-type RNA editing reaction. The process converts nonfunctional pre-mRNAs into translation-competent molecules and can generate protein diversity by alternative editing. High molecular mass protein complexes termed editosomes catalyze the processing reaction. They stably interact with pre-edited mRNAs and small noncoding RNAs, known as guide RNAs (gRNAs), which act as templates in the reaction. Editosomes provide a molecular surface for the individual steps of the catalytic reaction cycle and although the protein inventory of the complexes has been studied in detail, a structural analysis of the processing machinery has only recently been accomplished. Electron microscopy in combination with single particle reconstruction techniques has shown that steady state isolates of editosomes contain ensembles of two classes of stable complexes with calculated apparent hydrodynamic sizes of 20S and 35-40S. 20S editosomes are free of substrate RNAs, whereas 35-40S editosomes are associated with endogenous mRNA and gRNA molecules. Both complexes are characterized by a diverse structural landscape, which include complexes that lack or possess defined subdomains. Here, we summarize the consensus models and structural landmarks of both complexes. We correlate structural features with functional characteristics and provide an outlook into dynamic aspects of the editing reaction cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Ulrich Göringer
- Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Darmstadt University of Technology, Darmstadt, Germany.
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18
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Zimmer SL, McEvoy SM, Li J, Qu J, Read LK. A novel member of the RNase D exoribonuclease family functions in mitochondrial guide RNA metabolism in Trypanosoma brucei. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:10329-40. [PMID: 21252235 PMCID: PMC3060487 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.152439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2010] [Revised: 01/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA turnover and RNA editing are essential for regulation of mitochondrial gene expression in Trypanosoma brucei. RNA turnover is controlled in part by RNA 3' adenylation and uridylation status, with trans-acting factors also impacting RNA homeostasis. However, little is known about the mitochondrial degradation machinery or its regulation in T. brucei. We have identified a mitochondrial exoribonuclease, TbRND, whose expression is highly up-regulated in the insect proliferative stage of the parasite. TbRND shares sequence similarity with RNase D family enzymes but differs from all reported members of this family in possessing a CCHC zinc finger domain. In vitro, TbRND exhibits 3' to 5' exoribonuclease activity, with specificity toward uridine homopolymers, including the 3' oligo(U) tails of guide RNAs (gRNAs) that provide the sequence information for RNA editing. Several lines of evidence generated from RNAi-mediated knockdown and overexpression cell lines indicate that TbRND functions in gRNA metabolism in vivo. First, TbRND depletion results in gRNA tails extended by 2-3 nucleotides on average. Second, overexpression of wild type but not catalytically inactive TbRND results in a substantial decrease in the total gRNA population and a consequent inhibition of RNA editing. The observed effects on the gRNA population are specific as rRNAs, which are also 3'-uridylated, are unaffected by TbRND depletion or overexpression. Finally, we show that gRNA binding proteins co-purify with TbRND. In summary, TbRND is a novel 3' to 5' exoribonuclease that appears to have evolved a function highly specific to the mitochondrion of trypanosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara L. Zimmer
- From the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14214 and
| | - Sarah M. McEvoy
- From the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14214 and
| | - Jun Li
- the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Amherst, New York 14260
| | - Jun Qu
- the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Amherst, New York 14260
| | - Laurie K. Read
- From the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14214 and
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19
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Knoop V. When you can't trust the DNA: RNA editing changes transcript sequences. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 68:567-86. [PMID: 20938709 PMCID: PMC11114842 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-010-0538-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2010] [Revised: 09/13/2010] [Accepted: 09/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
RNA editing describes targeted sequence alterations in RNAs so that the transcript sequences differ from their DNA template. Since the original discovery of RNA editing in trypanosomes nearly 25 years ago more than a dozen such processes of nucleotide insertions, deletions, and exchanges have been identified in evolutionarily widely separated groups of the living world including plants, animals, fungi, protists, bacteria, and viruses. In many cases gene expression in mitochondria is affected, but RNA editing also takes place in chloroplasts and in nucleocytosolic genetic environments. While some RNA editing systems largely seem to repair defect genes (cryptogenes), others have obvious functions in modulating gene activities. The present review aims for an overview on the current states of research in the different systems of RNA editing by following a historic timeline along the respective original discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Knoop
- Abteilung Molekulare Evolution, Institut für Zelluläre und Molekulare Botanik (IZMB), Bonn, Germany.
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20
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Ringpis GE, Aphasizheva I, Wang X, Huang L, Lathrop RH, Hatfield GW, Aphasizhev R. Mechanism of U insertion RNA editing in trypanosome mitochondria: the bimodal TUTase activity of the core complex. J Mol Biol 2010; 399:680-95. [PMID: 20362585 PMCID: PMC2885523 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2010.03.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2009] [Revised: 03/23/2010] [Accepted: 03/25/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Expression of the trypanosomal mitochondrial genome requires the insertion and deletion of uridylyl residues at specific sites in pre-mRNAs. RET2 terminal uridylyl transferase is an integral component of the RNA editing core complex (RECC) and is responsible for the guide-RNA-dependent U insertion reaction. By analyzing RNA-interference-based knock-in Trypanosoma brucei cell lines, purified editing complex, and individual protein, we have investigated RET2's association with the RECC. In addition, the U insertion activity exhibited by RET2 as an RECC subunit was compared with characteristics of the monomeric protein. We show that interaction of RET2 with RECC is accomplished via a protein-protein contact between its middle domain and a structural subunit, MP81. The recombinant RET2 catalyzes a faithful editing on gapped (precleaved) double-stranded RNA substrates, and this reaction requires an internal monophosphate group at the 5' end of the mRNA 3' cleavage fragment. However, RET2 processivity is limited to insertion of three Us. Incorporation into the RECC voids the internal phosphate requirement and allows filling of longer gaps similar to those observed in vivo. Remarkably, monomeric and RECC-embedded enzymes display a similar bimodal activity: the distributive insertion of a single uracil is followed by a processive extension limited by the number of guiding nucleotides. Based on the RNA substrate specificity of RET2 and the purine-rich nature of U insertion sites, we propose that the distributive +1 insertion creates a substrate for the processive gap-filling reaction. Upon base-pairing of the +1 extended 5' cleavage fragment with a guiding nucleotide, this substrate is recognized by RET2 in a different mode compared to the product of the initial nucleolytic cleavage. Therefore, RET2 distinguishes base pairs in gapped RNA substrates which may constitute an additional checkpoint contributing to overall fidelity of the editing process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gene-Errol Ringpis
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, California, 92697, USA
| | - Inna Aphasizheva
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, California, 92697, USA
| | - Xiaorong Wang
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California Irvine, California, 92697, USA
| | - Lan Huang
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California Irvine, California, 92697, USA
| | - Richard H. Lathrop
- Department of Informatics and Computer Science, University of California Irvine, California, 92697, USA
- Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics, University of California Irvine, California, 92697, USA
| | - G. Wesley Hatfield
- Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics, University of California Irvine, California, 92697, USA
| | - Ruslan Aphasizhev
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, California, 92697, USA
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21
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Inheritance of DNA transferred from American trypanosomes to human hosts. PLoS One 2010; 5:e9181. [PMID: 20169193 PMCID: PMC2820539 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2009] [Accepted: 01/04/2010] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Interspecies DNA transfer is a major biological process leading to the accumulation of mutations inherited by sexual reproduction among eukaryotes. Lateral DNA transfer events and their inheritance has been challenging to document. In this study we modified a thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR by using additional targeted primers, along with Southern blots, fluorescence techniques, and bioinformatics, to identify lateral DNA transfer events from parasite to host. Instances of naturally occurring human infections by Trypanosoma cruzi are documented, where mitochondrial minicircles integrated mainly into retrotransposable LINE-1 of various chromosomes. The founders of five families show minicircle integrations that were transferred vertically to their progeny. Microhomology end-joining of 6 to 22 AC-rich nucleotide repeats in the minicircles and host DNA mediates foreign DNA integration. Heterogeneous minicircle sequences were distributed randomly among families, with diversity increasing due to subsequent rearrangement of inserted fragments. Mosaic recombination and hitchhiking on retrotransposition events to different loci were more prevalent in germ line as compared to somatic cells. Potential new genes, pseudogenes, and knockouts were identified. A pathway of minicircle integration and maintenance in the host genome is suggested. Thus, infection by T. cruzi has the unexpected consequence of increasing human genetic diversity, and Chagas disease may be a fortuitous share of negative selection. This demonstration of contemporary transfer of eukaryotic DNA to the human genome and its subsequent inheritance by descendants introduces a significant change in the scientific concept of evolutionary biology and medicine.
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22
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Gao G, Rogers K, Li F, Guo Q, Osato D, Zhou SX, Falick AM, Simpson L. Uridine insertion/deletion RNA editing in Trypanosomatids: specific stimulation in vitro of Leishmania tarentolae REL1 RNA ligase activity by the MP63 zinc finger protein. Protist 2010; 161:489-96. [PMID: 20138580 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2010.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2009] [Accepted: 12/26/2009] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
U-insertion/deletion RNA editing of mitochondrial mRNAs in trypanosome mitochondria is mediated by a core complex (RECC) containing around 16-20 proteins which is linked to several other multiprotein complexes by RNA. There are two known subcomplexes in the RECC: the REL1 subcomplex which contains the REL1 RNA ligase, the MP63 zinc finger-containing protein and the REX2 U-specific 3'-5' exonuclease; and the REL2 subcomplex which contains the REL2 RNA ligase, the RET2 3' TUTase and the MP81 zinc finger-containing protein. In this study we have affinity isolated recombinant TAP-tagged Leishmania major RET2 and Leishmania tarentolae MP63, REL1 and REL2 proteins after expression in baculovirus-infected insect cells. Recombinant MP63 protein was found to stimulate several in vitro activities of recombinant REL1; these activities include autoadenylation, bridged ligation and even pre-cleaved gRNA-mediated U-insertion editing with RET2 which is in the REL2 subcomplex. There was no effect of recombinant MP63 on similar REL2 ligation activities. The specificity for REL1 is consistent with MP63 being a component of the REL1 subcomplex. These results suggest that in vivo the interaction of MP63 with REL1 may play a role in regulating the overall activity of RNA editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghan Gao
- Department of Cardiodiagnostics, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 330, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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23
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Aphasizheva I, Ringpis GE, Weng J, Gershon PD, Lathrop RH, Aphasizhev R. Novel TUTase associates with an editosome-like complex in mitochondria of Trypanosoma brucei. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2009; 15:1322-1337. [PMID: 19465686 PMCID: PMC2704088 DOI: 10.1261/rna.1538809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2008] [Accepted: 04/06/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Expression of mitochondrial genomes in Kinetoplastida protists requires massive uracil insertion/deletion mRNA editing. The cascade of editing reactions is accomplished by a multiprotein complex, the 20S editosome, and is directed by trans-acting guide RNAs. Two distinct RNA terminal uridylyl transferases (TUTases), RNA Editing TUTase 1 (RET1) and RNA Editing TUTase 2 (RET2), catalyze 3' uridylylation of guide RNAs and U-insertions into the mRNAs, respectively. RET1 is also involved in mitochondrial mRNA turnover and participates in numerous heterogeneous complexes; RET2 is an integral part of the 20S editosome, in which it forms a U-insertion subcomplex with zinc finger protein MP81 and RNA editing ligase REL2. Here we report the identification of a third mitochondrial TUTase from Trypanosoma brucei. The mitochondrial editosome-like complex associated TUTase (MEAT1) interacts with a 20S editosome-like particle, effectively substituting the U-insertion subcomplex. MEAT1 and RET2 are mutually exclusive in their respective complexes, which otherwise share several components. Similarly to RET2, MEAT1 is exclusively U-specific in vitro and is active on gapped double-stranded RNA resembling editing substrates. However, MEAT1 does not require a 5' phosphate group on the 3' mRNA cleavage fragment produced by editing endonucleases. The functional RNAi complementation experiments showed that MEAT1 is essential for viability of bloodstream and insect parasite forms. The growth inhibition phenotype in the latter can be rescued by coexpressing an RNAi-resistant gene with double-stranded RNA targeting the endogenous transcript. However, preliminary RNA analysis revealed no gross effects on RNA editing in MEAT1-depleted cells and indicated its possible role in regulating the mitochondrial RNA stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Aphasizheva
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA
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24
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Ernst NL, Panicucci B, Carnes J, Stuart K. Differential functions of two editosome exoUases in Trypanosoma brucei. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2009; 15:947-957. [PMID: 19318463 PMCID: PMC2673068 DOI: 10.1261/rna.1373009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2008] [Accepted: 01/22/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial RNAs in trypanosomes are edited by the insertion and deletion of uridine (U) nucleotides to form translatable mRNAs. Editing is catalyzed by three distinct editosomes that contain two related U-specific exonucleases (exoUases), KREX1 and KREX2, with the former present exclusively in KREN1 editosomes and the latter present in all editosomes. We show here that repression of KREX1 expression leads to a concomitant reduction of KREN1 in approximately 20S editosomes, whereas KREX2 repression results in reductions of KREPA2 and KREL1 in approximately 20S editosomes. Knockdown of KREX1 results in reduced cell viability, reduction of some edited RNA in vivo, and a significant reduction in deletion but not insertion endonuclease activity in vitro. In contrast, KREX2 knockdown does not affect cell growth or editing in vivo but results in modest reductions of both insertion and deletion endonuclease activities and a significant reduction of U removal in vitro. Simultaneous knockdown of both proteins leads to a more severe inhibition of cell growth and editing in vivo and an additive effect on endonuclease cleavage in vitro. Taken together, these results indicate that both KREX1 and KREX2 are important for retention of other proteins in editosomes, and suggest that the reduction in cell viability upon KREX1 knockdown is likely a consequence of KREN1 loss. Furthermore, although KREX2 appears dispensable for cell growth, the increased inhibition of editing and parasite viability upon knockdown of both KREX1 and KREX2 together suggests that both proteins have roles in editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Lewis Ernst
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
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25
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Snapshots of the RNA editing machine in trypanosomes captured at different assembly stages in vivo. EMBO J 2009; 28:766-78. [PMID: 19197238 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2009.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2008] [Accepted: 01/12/2009] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial pre-messenger RNAs in kinetoplastid protozoa are substrates of uridylate-specific RNA editing. RNA editing converts non-functional pre-mRNAs into translatable molecules and can generate protein diversity by alternative editing. Although several editing complexes have been described, their structure and relationship is unknown. Here, we report the isolation of functionally active RNA editing complexes by a multistep purification procedure. We show that the endogenous isolates contain two subpopulations of approximately 20S and approximately 35-40S and present the three-dimensional structures of both complexes by electron microscopy. The approximately 35-40S complexes consist of a platform density packed against a semispherical element. The approximately 20S complexes are composed of two subdomains connected by an interface. The two particles are structurally related, and we show that RNA binding is a main determinant for the interconversion of the two complexes. The approximately 20S editosomes contain an RNA-binding site, which binds gRNA, pre-mRNA and gRNA/pre-mRNA hybrid molecules with nanomolar affinity. Variability analysis indicates that subsets of complexes lack or possess additional domains, suggesting binding sites for components. Together, a picture of the RNA editing machinery is provided.
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26
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Niemann M, Kaibel H, Schlüter E, Weitzel K, Brecht M, Göringer HU. Kinetoplastid RNA editing involves a 3' nucleotidyl phosphatase activity. Nucleic Acids Res 2009; 37:1897-906. [PMID: 19190092 PMCID: PMC2665232 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkp049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial pre-messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs) in African trypanosomes require RNA editing in order to mature into functional transcripts. The process involves the addition and/or removal of U nucleotides and is mediated by a high-molecular-mass complex, the editosome. Editosomes catalyze the reaction through an enzyme-driven pathway that includes endo/exoribonuclease, terminal uridylate transferase and RNA ligase activities. Here we show that editing involves an additional reaction step, a 3′ nucleotidyl phosphatase activity. The activity is associated with the editing complex and we demonstrate that the editosomal proteins TbMP99 and TbMP100 contribute to the activity. Both polypeptides contain endo-exonuclease-phosphatase domains and we show that gene ablation of either one of the two polypeptides is compensated by the other protein. However, simultaneous knockdown of both genes results in trypanosome cells with reduced 3′ nucleotidyl phosphatase and reduced editing activity. The data provide a rationale for the exoUase activity of the editosomal protein TbMP42, which generates nonligatable 3′ phosphate termini. Opposing phosphates at the two pre-mRNA cleavage fragments likely function as a roadblock to prevent premature ligation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Niemann
- Genetics, Darmstadt University of Technology, Darmstadt, Germany
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27
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The KREPA3 zinc finger motifs and OB-fold domain are essential for RNA editing and survival of Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Cell Biol 2008; 28:6939-53. [PMID: 18794366 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01115-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Three types of editosomes, each with an identical core containing six related KREPA proteins, catalyze the U insertion and deletion RNA editing of mitochondrial mRNAs in trypanosomes. Repression of expression of one of these, KREPA3 (also known as TbMP42), shows that it is essential for growth and in vivo editing in both procyclic (PF) and bloodstream (BF) life cycle stages of Trypanosoma brucei. RNA interference knockdown results in editosome disruption and altered in vitro editing in PFs, while repression by regulatable double knockout results in almost complete loss of editosomes in BFs. Mutational analysis shows that the KREPA3 zinc fingers and OB-fold domain are each essential for growth and in vivo editing. Nevertheless, KREPA3 with mutated zinc fingers incorporates into editosomes that catalyze in vitro editing and thus is not essential for editosome integrity, although stability is affected. In contrast, the OB-fold domain is essential for editosome integrity. Overall, KREPA3, especially its OB-fold, functions in editosome integrity, and its zinc fingers are essential for editing in vivo but not for the central catalytic steps. KREPA3 may function in editosome organization and/or RNA positioning.
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28
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Hernandez A, Panigrahi A, Cifuentes-Rojas C, Sacharidou A, Stuart K, Cruz-Reyes J. Determinants for association and guide RNA-directed endonuclease cleavage by purified RNA editing complexes from Trypanosoma brucei. J Mol Biol 2008; 381:35-48. [PMID: 18572190 PMCID: PMC2596986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2008.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2008] [Revised: 04/29/2008] [Accepted: 05/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
U-insertion/deletion RNA editing in the single mitochondrion of kinetoplastids, an ancient lineage of eukaryotes, is a unique mRNA maturation process needed for translation. Multisubunit editing complexes recognize many pre-edited mRNA sites and modify them via cycles of three catalytic steps: guide RNA (gRNA)-directed cleavage, insertion or deletion of uridylates at the 3'-terminus of the upstream cleaved piece, and ligation of the two mRNA pieces. While catalytic and many structural protein subunits of these complexes have been identified, the mechanisms and basic determinants of substrate recognition are still poorly understood. This study defined relatively simple single- and double-stranded determinants for association and gRNA-directed cleavage. To this end, we used an electrophoretic mobility shift assay to directly score the association of purified editing complexes with RNA ligands, in parallel with UV photocrosslinking and functional studies. The cleaved strand required a minimal 5' overhang of 12 nt and an approximately 15-bp duplex with gRNA to direct the cleavage site. A second protruding element in either the cleaved or the guide strand was required unless longer duplexes were used. Importantly, the single-stranded RNA requirement for association can be upstream or downstream of the duplex, and the binding and cleavage activities of purified editing complexes could be uncoupled. The current observations together with our previous reports in the context of purified native editing complexes show that the determinants for association, cleavage and full-round editing gradually increase in complexity as these stages progress. The native complexes in these studies contained most, if not all, known core subunits in addition to components of the MRP complex. Finally, we found that the endonuclease KREN1 in purified complexes photocrosslinks with a targeted editing site. A model is proposed whereby one or more RNase III-type endonucleases mediate the initial binding and scrutiny of potential ligands and subsequent catalytic selectivity triggers either insertion or deletion editing enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Hernandez
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Aswini Panigrahi
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, Washington 98109
| | - Catherine Cifuentes-Rojas
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Anastasia Sacharidou
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Kenneth Stuart
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, 307 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500, Seattle, Washington 98109
| | - Jorge Cruz-Reyes
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843
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29
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Niemann M, Brecht M, Schlüter E, Weitzel K, Zacharias M, Göringer HU. TbMP42 is a structure-sensitive ribonuclease that likely follows a metal ion catalysis mechanism. Nucleic Acids Res 2008; 36:4465-73. [PMID: 18603593 PMCID: PMC2490751 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkn410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2008] [Revised: 06/10/2008] [Accepted: 06/10/2008] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA editing in African trypanosomes is characterized by a uridylate-specific insertion and/or deletion reaction that generates functional mitochondrial transcripts. The process is catalyzed by a multi-enzyme complex, the editosome, which consists of approximately 20 proteins. While for some of the polypeptides a contribution to the editing reaction can be deduced from their domain structure, the involvement of other proteins remains elusive. TbMP42, is a component of the editosome that is characterized by two C(2)H(2)-type zinc-finger domains and a putative oligosaccharide/oligonucleotide-binding fold. Recombinant TbMP42 has been shown to possess endo/exoribonuclease activity in vitro; however, the protein lacks canonical nuclease motifs. Using a set of synthetic gRNA/pre-mRNA substrate RNAs, we demonstrate that TbMP42 acts as a topology-dependent ribonuclease that is sensitive to base stacking. We further show that the chelation of Zn(2+) cations is inhibitory to the enzyme activity and that the chemical modification of amino acids known to coordinate Zn(2+) inactivates rTbMP42. Together, the data are suggestive of a Zn(2+)-dependent metal ion catalysis mechanism for the ribonucleolytic activity of rTbMP42.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Niemann
- Genetics, Darmstadt University of Technology, Schnittspahnstraße 10, 64287 Darmstadt and Computational Biology, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
| | - Michael Brecht
- Genetics, Darmstadt University of Technology, Schnittspahnstraße 10, 64287 Darmstadt and Computational Biology, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
| | - Elke Schlüter
- Genetics, Darmstadt University of Technology, Schnittspahnstraße 10, 64287 Darmstadt and Computational Biology, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Weitzel
- Genetics, Darmstadt University of Technology, Schnittspahnstraße 10, 64287 Darmstadt and Computational Biology, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
| | - Martin Zacharias
- Genetics, Darmstadt University of Technology, Schnittspahnstraße 10, 64287 Darmstadt and Computational Biology, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
| | - H. Ulrich Göringer
- Genetics, Darmstadt University of Technology, Schnittspahnstraße 10, 64287 Darmstadt and Computational Biology, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
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30
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Law JA, O'Hearn SF, Sollner-Webb B. Trypanosoma brucei RNA editing protein TbMP42 (band VI) is crucial for the endonucleolytic cleavages but not the subsequent steps of U-deletion and U-insertion. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2008; 14:1187-200. [PMID: 18441050 PMCID: PMC2390806 DOI: 10.1261/rna.899508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2007] [Accepted: 02/18/2008] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosome mitochondrial mRNAs achieve their coding sequences through RNA editing. This process, catalyzed by approximately 20S protein complexes, involves large numbers of uridylate (U) insertions and deletions within mRNA precursors. Here we analyze the role of the essential TbMP42 protein (band VI/KREPA2) by individually examining each step of the U-deletional and U-insertional editing cycles, using reactions in the approximately linear range. We examined control extracts and RNA interference (RNAi) extracts prepared soon after TbMP42 was depleted (when primary effects should be most evident) and three days later (when precedent shows secondary effects can become prominent). This analysis shows TbMP42 is critical for cleavage of editing substrates by both the U-deletional and U-insertional endonucleases. However, on simple substrates that assess cleavage independent of editing features, TbMP42 is similarly required only for the U-deletional endonuclease, indicating TbMP42 affects the two editing endonucleases differently. Supplementing RNAi extract with recombinant TbMP42 partly restores these cleavage activities. Notably, we find that all the other editing steps (the 3'-U-exonuclease [3'-U-exo] and ligation steps of U-deletion and the terminal-U-transferase [TUTase] and ligation steps of U-insertion) remain at control levels upon RNAi induction, and hence are not dependent on TbMP42. This contrasts with an earlier report that TbMP42 is a 3'-U-exo that may act in U-deletion and additionally is critical for the TUTase and/or ligation steps of U-insertion, observations our data suggest reflect indirect effects of TbMP42 depletion. Thus, trypanosomes require TbMP42 for both endonucleolytic cleavage steps of RNA editing, but not for any of the subsequent steps of the editing cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Law
- Biological Chemistry Department, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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31
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Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei has three distinct approximately 20S editosomes that catalyze RNA editing by the insertion and deletion of uridylates. Editosomes with the KREN1 or KREN2 RNase III type endonucleases specifically cleave deletion and insertion editing site substrates, respectively. We report here that editosomes with KREPB2, which also has an RNase III motif, specifically cleave cytochrome oxidase II (COII) pre-mRNA insertion editing site substrates in vitro. Conditional repression and mutation studies also show that KREPB2 is an editing endonuclease specifically required for COII mRNA editing in vivo. Furthermore, KREPB2 expression is essential for the growth and survival of bloodstream forms. Thus, editing in T. brucei requires at least three compositionally and functionally distinct approximately 20S editosomes, two of which distinguish between different insertion editing sites. This unexpected finding reveals an additional level of complexity in the RNA editing process and suggests a mechanism for how the selection of sites for editing in vivo is controlled.
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