Ribosomal protein S19 is encoded by the mitochondrial genome in Petunia hybrida

Preliminary NMR studies of Thermus thermophilus ribosomal protein S19 overproduced in Escherichia coli

The gene for the ribosomal protein S19 from Thermus thermophilus was cloned, sequenced and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. A simple procedure for isolating the recombinant protein was developed. Preliminary NMR studies revealed a high content of alpha-helical secondary structure in the protein.

A ribosomal protein L2 gene is transcribed, spliced, and edited at one site in rice mitochondria

The mitochondrial ribosomal protein L2 gene (rpl2) is coded by two exons of 840 and 669 bp separated by an intron sequence of 1481 bp in the rice mitochondrial genome. The rpl2 gene is located three nucleotides upstream of the ribosomal protein S19 gene (rps19) and both genes are co-transcribed. cDNA sequence analysis identified splicing of the intron sequence from the rpl2 mRNA as well as RNA editing events. The deduced secondary structure of the rpl2 intron sequence shows the characteristic features of a group-II intron. A single RNA editing site is identified in rpl2 and six editing sites in rps19 transcripts. In addition, one editing site is observed in the 3 nucleotide intergenic region. Analysis of individual cDNA clones showed a different extent of RNA editing. The rice rpl2 intron is located at a different site and shows no significant nucleotide sequence similarity with the rpl2 intron of liverwort. However, 60% nucleotide sequence identity is observed between the rice rpl2 intron and the Oenothera nad5 intron in a 234 nucleotide region. The mitochondrial rpl2 sequence is absent from the pea mitochondrial genome and we consequently propose that the mitochondrial RPL2 protein is encoded by a nuclear gene in pea.

Transfer of rps19 to the nucleus involves the gain of an RNP-binding motif which may functionally replace RPS13 in Arabidopsis mitochondria

The discovery of disrupted rps19 genes in Arabidopsis mitochondria prompted speculation about the transfer to the nuclear compartment. We here describe the functional gene transfer of rps19 into the nucleus of Arabidopsis. Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of rps19 show that the nuclear gene encodes a long N-terminal extension. Import studies of the precursor protein indicate that only a small part of this extension is cleaved off during import. The larger part of the extension, which shows high similarity to conserved RNA-binding domains of the RNP-CS type, became part of the S19 protein. In the Escherichia coli ribosome S19 forms an RNA-binding complex as heterodimer with S13. By using immuno-analysis and import studies we show that a eubacterial-like S13 protein is absent from Arabidopsis mitochondria, and is not substituted by either a chloroplastic or a cytosolic homologue of this ribosomal protein. We therefore propose that either a highly diverged or missing RPS13 has been functionally replaced by an RNP domain that most likely derived from a glycine-rich RNA-binding protein. These results represent the first case of a functional replacement of a ribosomal protein by a common RNA-binding domain and offer a new view on the flexibility of biological systems in using well-adapted functional domains for different jobs.

Characterization of the mitochondrial orfB gene and its derivative, orf224, a chimeric open reading frame specific to one mitochondrial genome of the "Polima" male-sterile cytoplasm in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

orf224 is a novel reading frame present upstream of the atp6 gene in the mitochondria of "Polima" cms cytoplasm of rapeseed. In order to determine the origin of orf224, the sequences homologous to orf224 were isolated and characterized. Sequence analysis indicated that orf224 originated by recombination events involving the 5'-flanking region and the amino-terminal segment of the coding region of orf158 (well-known as orfB in other plants), part of exon 1 of the ribosomal protein S3 (rps3) gene, and an unidentified sequence. Transcripts of the orf158 gene were found to be edited at three positions, one of which induces an amino-acid change, while orf224 transcripts have only one RNA editing site within the region homologous to the rps3 gene. This editing site is also present in the proper rps3 transcripts. This result indicates that editing of orf224 occurred because of the sequence homology to rps3. Polyclonal antibodies prepared against a rapeseed ORF158 fusion protein specifically recognize a 18-kDa protein in the membrane fractions of mitochondria from both normal and cms rapeseed.

Physical and gene organization of mitochondrial DNA from the fertile cytoplasm of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.)

We have constructed a complete physical map of the mitochondrial genome from the male-fertile cytoplasm of sugarbeet. The entire sequence complexity can be represented on a single circular master chromosome of 358 kb. This master chromosome contains three copies of one recombinationally active repeat sequence, with two copies in direct orientation and the other in inverted orientation. The positions of the rRNA genes and of 23 polypeptide genes, determined by filter hybridization, are scattered throughout the genome, with triplicate rrn26 genes located partially or entirely within the recombination-repeat elements. Three ribosomal-protein genes (rps1A, rps14 and rps19) were found to be absent from sugarbeet mtDNA. Our results also reveal that at least six regions homologous with cDNA are dispersed in the mitochondrial genome.

A single homogeneous form of ATP6 protein accumulates in petunia mitochondria despite the presence of differentially edited atp6 transcripts

Transcripts encoding ATP synthase subunit 6 (ATP6) in petunia mitochondria were shown to be edited at 15 sites, leading to 14 amino acid changes. Certain sites are partially edited, including a site that introduces a new translation termination codon that is 13 codons upstream of the genomically encoded stop codon. Transcripts lacking the new stop codon are present in an approximately 2.5:1 ratio to transcripts carrying the stop codon created by RNA editing. To investigate whether partially edited transcripts are represented as proteins, we generated an antibody against a 12-residue peptide that is specific for translation products of unedited transcripts. This antibody did not recognize any ATP6 protein in either total mitochondrial protein preparations or ATP6 samples purified by organic solvent extraction and reverse phase HPLC procedures. According to analysis by mass spectrometry, only one form of ATP6 protein accumulates in mitochondria despite the presence of abundant partially edited transcripts. Partially edited atp6 transcripts were associated with ribosomes, suggesting that a screening mechanism(s) acts cotranslationally or post-translationally to exclude the expression of incompletely edited transcripts.

A ribosomal protein S10 gene is found in the mitochondrial genome in Solanum tuberosum

The S10 ribosomal protein gene (rps10), which has not been previously reported in any angiosperm mitochondrial genome, was identified by sequence analysis in the potato mitochondrial DNA. This gene is found downstream of a truncated non-functional apocytochrome b (cob) pseudogene, and is expressed as multiple transcripts ranging in size from 0.8 to 5.0 kb. Southern hybridization analysis indicates that rps10-homologous sequences are not present in the wheat mitochondrial genome. Sequence analysis of a single-copy region of the pea mitochondrial genome located upstream of cox1 [11] shows that a non-functional rps10 pseudogene is present in this species. These results suggest that the functional genes coding for wheat and pea mitochondrial RPS10 polypeptides have been translocated to the nucleus.

The Arabidopsis thaliana ribosomal protein S15 (rig) gene

We have isolated cDNA and genomic clones for Arabidopsis thaliana cytosolic ribosomal protein S15 and determined their sequences. Like animal S15 genes, this plant S15 gene is composed of four exons and the first intron is located immediately following the ATG translational start codon. The 5' end of the S15 mRNA was mapped by RNase protection experiments which showed that this mRNA contains a 5' untranslated region of approx. 83 nucleotides. Southern blot analyses suggest that Arabidopsis S15 is encoded by a small family of genes. The sequences of the predicted exons in the cloned S15 gene are identical to that of the S15 cDNA, demonstrating that this gene is transcriptionally active. Sequence analysis of the cloned A. thaliana S15 gene shows that it is tightly linked (approx. 500 nucleotides distant) to a gene of unknown function. The Arabidopsis S15 protein described here is about 75% identical to vertebrate S15, 70% identical to the homologous yeast protein (S21), 50% identical to archaebacterial S19, 30% identical to eubacterial S19, and about 30% identical to plant mitochondrial and plastid S19.

The sugar beet mitochondrial genome contains an ORF sharing sequence homology with the gene for the 30 kDa subunit of bovine mitochondrial complex I

From a sugar beet mitochondrial DNA library, we have isolated an open reading frame (ORF192) showing extensive homology to the gene for the 30 kDa subunit of the bovine mitochondrial complex I (NADH: ubiquinone reductase). The ORF192 was found to be actively transcribed to give an RNA of approximately 1.0 kb. We have designated this gene nad9. Transcripts from the nad9 locus are edited by five C to U transitions, increasing similarity with the amino acid sequence of the corresponding bovine and Neurospora crassa polypeptides. Southern blot hybridization also indicates that nad9 is present in the mitochondrial genomes of a variety of higher plant species.

An rps14 pseudogene is transcribed and edited in Arabidopsis mitochondria

Sequence analysis of the region upstream of the apocytochrome b (cob) gene in the Arabidopsis mitochondrial genome identifies an open reading frame with homology to ribosomal protein L5, (rpl5), and a pseudogene with similarity to ribosomal protein S14 (rps14) genes. Both cob and rpl5 genes have intact reading frames, but the rps14 homology is disrupted by a stop codon and a deleted nucleotide. The rpl5 gene, the rps14 pseudogene, and the cob gene are separated by one nucleotide and a 1604-nucleotide-long spacer respectively. A plastid-like tRNA(Ser) is encoded downstream from the cob gene. The entire region is transcribed into a 5-kb transcript, containing the rps14 pseudogene and the cob gene. Cob and rpl5 mRNAs are edited in several positions with different frequencies. The rps14 pseudogene is transcribed and edited in one position in common with other plants. Since no intact rps14 gene is found in the mitochondrial genome of Arabidopsis, the functional gene is presumably encoded in the nucleus.

Genes for ribosomal proteins S3, L16, L5 and S14 are clustered in the mitochondrial genome of Brassica napus L

We have cloned and sequenced an 8.9-kb mitochondrial-DNA fragment from rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). The nucleotide sequence indicates a gene cluster that encodes four ribosomal proteins (S3, L16, L5, S14), two tRNA genes (trnD, trnK), and the 5' region of the cob gene. The arrangement of these seven genes is trnD-trnK-rps3-rpl16-rpl5-rps14-cob. The rps3 and rpl16 frames overlap by 131 bp. The rpl5 and rps14 genes are separated by a 4-bp spacer. A 1474-basepair intron is located in the rps3 gene. The tRNA(Asp) gene (trnD) is very similar to the corresponding gene from chloroplasts (cp-like-tRNA(Asp)). Gene-specific probes for each ribosomal protein gene, and for the cp-like-trnD, trnK and cob genes, hybridized to a common pre-mRNA of an estimated size of 10 kilobases, indicating that these seven genes may be expressed as a single transcription unit. The rps3-rpl16-rpl5-rps14 region of B. napus mtDNA may function as a ribosomal operon, similar to the S10 and SPC operons of Escherichia coli and to the ribosomal protein operon of the chloroplast genome from Euglena gracilis.

Ribosomal protein gene rpl5 is cotranscribed with the nad3 gene in Oenothera mitochondria

The rpl5 ribosomal protein gene was identified in the mitochondrial genome of the higher plant Oenothera berteriana. The gene is present in a unique genomic location upstream of the gene encoding subunit 3 of the NADH dehydrogenase (nad3). Both genes are cotranscribed, and the mRNA is modified at several cytidine residues by RNA editing. Analysis of the editing profiles of both genes by direct cDNA analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that not all transcripts are fully edited at all sites. Eight of the nine C to U conversions in the rpl5 reading frame are non-silent and change the deduced amino acid sequence. The genes of the prokaryotic-like cistron that includes the rpsl9, rps3, rpl16, rpl5, and rpsl4 genes, which is at least partially conserved in the mitochondrial genomes of other higher and lower plants, are dispersed in the Oenothera mitochondrial genome.

A truncated recombination repeat in the mitochondrial genome of a Petunia CMS line

Repeated sequences known as recombination repeats are present in the majority of plant mitochondrial genomes. Two recombination repeat sequences from Petunia have been analyzed. The two repeats are virtually identical over 1.42 kb. One of the repeats is truncated and is likely to have arisen from a rare recombination event in the full-length repeat. Two sequence-blocks within the Petunia repeat are highly similar to sequences in the 5' flank of several plant mitochondrial genes. No sequence motifs are shared by the Petunia repeat and other sequenced plant mitochondrial recombination repeats, suggesting that the recombination occurs by an homologous, rather than a site-specific, mechanism.

Editing of rps3/rpl16 transcripts creates a premature truncation of the rpl16 open reading frame

Overlapping open reading frames corresponding to maize mitochondrial genes rps3 and rpl16 have been found in Petunia mitochondrial DNA. The DNA region associated with these two genes is part of the Petunia mitochondrial recombination repeat and is iterated three times. Analysis of transcripts from these genes shows that there is RNA editing of the coding regions and that one of the editing sites detected in the open reading frame overlap creates a premature stop codon in the rpl16 sequence. No transcripts were detected that were unedited at this site. Thus, in Petunia editing of rpl16 appears to render this gene nonfunctional.

Characterization of the S7 ribosomal protein gene in wheat mitochondria

By screening a wheat mitoplast cDNA bank, we have identified an open reading frame of 444 bp that has a derived amino acid sequence homologous to bacterial-type S7 ribosomal proteins. This gene, designated rps7, is located upstream of one of two 26S rRNA gene copies in the wheat mitochondrial genome and is expressed as an abundant mRNA of approximately 0.7 kb. Its 5' terminus maps to the end of an 80 bp element that is closely related to sequences preceding the wheat coxII, orf25 and atp6 genes. Southern hybridization analysis indicates that rps7-homologous sequences are present in the mitochondria of rice and pea, but not soybean.

Regenerating good sense: RNA editing and trans splicing in plant mitochondria

The protein products of plant mitochondrial genes cannot be predicted accurately from genomic sequences, since RNA editing modifies almost all mRNA sequences post-transcriptionally. Furthermore, RNA editing alters leader, trailer and intron sequences, and may be required for processing of these sequences. For several plant mitochondrial transcripts, processing includes trans splicing, which connects exons scattered throughout the genome. The mature transcripts are assembled via split group II intron sequences.

Gene clusters for ribosomal proteins in the mitochondrial genome of a liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha

We detected 16 genes for ribosomal proteins in the complete sequence of the mitochondrial DNA from a liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha. The genes formed two major clusters, rps12-rps7 and rps10-rpl2-rps19-rps3-rpl16-rpl5- rps14-rps8- rpl6-rps13-rps11-rps1, very similar in organization to Escherichia coli ribosomal protein operons (str and S10-spc-alpha operons, respectively). In contrast, rps2 and rps4 genes were located separately in the liverwort mitochondrial genome (the latter was part of the alpha operon in E. coli). Furthermore, several ribosomal proteins encoded by the liverwort mitochondrial genome differed substantially in size from their counterparts in E. coli and liverwort chloroplast.

RNA editing makes mistakes in plant mitochondria: editing loses sense in transcripts of a rps19 pseudogene and in creating stop codons in coxI and rps3 mRNAs of Oenothera

An intact gene for the ribosomal protein S19 (rps19) is absent from Oenothera mitochondria. The conserved rps19 reading frame found in the mitochondrial genome is interrupted by a termination codon. This rps19 pseudogene is cotranscribed with the downstream rps3 gene and is edited on both sides of the translational stop. Editing, however, changes the amino acid sequence at positions that were well conserved before editing. Other strange editings create translational stops in open reading frames coding for functional proteins. In coxI and rps3 mRNAs CGA codons are edited to UGA stop codons only five and three codons, respectively, downstream to the initiation codon. These aberrant editings in essential open reading frames and in the rps19 pseudogene appear to have been shifted to these positions from other editing sites. These observations suggest a requirement for a continuous evolutionary constraint on the editing specificities in plant mitochondria.

Multiple trans-splicing events are required to produce a mature nad1 transcript in a plant mitochondrion

The mitochondrial gene encoding NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) in Petunia hybrida is split into five exons, a, b, c, d, and e. With the use of a complete restriction map of the 443-kb Petunia mitochondrial genome, we have cloned these exons and mapped their location. Exon a is located 130 kb away from and in the opposite orientation from exons b and c. Exon d maps 95 kb away and in the opposite orientation from exons b and c. Exons d and e are separated by 190 kb. By performing the polymerase chain reaction on Petunia cDNAs, we have shown that transcripts from these five exons are joined via a series of cis- and trans-splicing events to create a mature nad1 transcript. In addition, we have found 23 C----U RNA edit sites in Petunia nad1. RNA editing changes 19 of the amino acids predicted by the genomic sequence.