A phenylalanine tRNA gene from Neurospora crassa: conservation of secondary structure involving an intervening sequence

Mollusk genes encoding lysine tRNA (UUU) contain introns

New intron-containing genes encoding tRNAs were discovered when genomic DNA isolated from various animal species was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers based on sequences of rabbit tRNA(Lys). From sequencing analysis of the products of PCR, we found that introns are present in several genes encoding tRNA(Lys) in mollusks, such as Loligo bleekeri (squid) and Octopus vulgaris (octopus). These introns were specific to genes encoding tRNA(Lys)(CUU) and were not present in genes encoding tRNA(Lys)(CUU). In addition, the sequences of the introns were different from one another. To confirm the results of our initial experiments, we isolated and sequenced genes encoding tRNA(Lys)(CUU) and tRNA(Lys)(UUU). The gene for tRNA(Lys)(UUU) from squid contained an intron, whose sequence was the same as that identified by PCR, and the gene formed a cluster with a corresponding pseudogene. Several DNA regions of 2.1 kb containing this cluster appeared to be tandemly arrayed in the squid genome. By contrast, the gene encoding tRNA(Lys)(CUU) did not contain an intron, as shown also by PCR. The tRNA(Lys)(UUU) that corresponded to the analyzed gene was isolated and characterized. The present study provides the first example of an intron-containing gene encoding a tRNA in mollusks and suggests the universality of introns in such genes in higher eukaryotes.

Structure and transcription of eukaryotic tRNA genes

The availability of cloned tRNA genes and a variety of eukaryotic in vitro transcription systems allowed rapid progress during the past few years in the characterization of signals in the DNA-controlling gene transcription and in the processing of the precurser RNAs formed. This will be the subject matter discussed in this review.

A leucine tRNA gene adjacent to the QA gene cluster of Neurospora crassa

A single tRNALeu gene has been localized and sequenced from Neurospora crassa. It is located only 375 bp from the qa gene cluster and it is the only tRNA or 5S rRNA gene within this cloned 37 kb region. The gene encodes a tRNALeu with the anti-codon AAG, and unlike the other nuclear eukaryotic tRNALeu (AAG) gene sequenced (from C. elegans), contains an intervening sequence of 27 bp. The Neurospora tRNALeu (AAG) is 84% and 73% homologous respectively to the C. elegans and bovine tRNALeu (AAG), and is 84% homologous to a Drosophila tRNALeu (CAA). However, it is only 65% homologous to a yeast tRNALeu (CAA) and there is little conservation of intervening sequences or V-loop regions. The gene hybridizes to at least 16 other DNA fragments in the Neurospora genome. Its expression does not seem to be linked to that of the qa genes.

Accurate transcription of homologous 5S rRNA and tRNA genes and splicing of tRNA in vitro by soluble extracts of Neurospora

We have developed soluble extracts from Neurospora crassa capable of accurately and efficiently transcribing homologous 5S rRNA and tRNA genes. The extracts also appear to quantitatively end-process and splice the primary tRNA transcripts. Although the extracts could not transcribe a heterologous (yeast) 5S rRNA gene, they did transcribe a yeast tRNALeu gene and slowly process the transcripts. In addition, we have developed a novel strategy for rapidly sequencing uniformly labelled RNAs using base-specific ribonucleases. We have used this procedure to verify the identity of the in vitro transcripts and processing products.

The role of non-coding DNA sequences in transcription and processing of a yeast tRNA

We have tested the hypothesis that conserved sequences in the intervening sequence (IVS) and 5'-flanking region of a yeast tRNALeu3 gene serve some function. Genes with deletions of 8, 10, 13 and 20 bp in the IVS are all active as templates in vitro. Yeast extracts produce mature tRNALeu3 from delta 8, delta 10 and delta 13 genes. Xenopus extracts do not detectably ligate the 5' and 3' half-molecules resulting from IVS excision. Neither extract is able to excise the IVS from delta 20 precursors. Genes with introns enlarged by 10, 21 or 30 bp of DNA produce mature tRNA. Insertion of 103 bp results in reduced levels of transcription, little if any end maturation, and no detectable mature product. A conserved 15 bp sequence is present at the 5'-end of the tRNA sequence. Replacement of yeast DNA up to position -22 leaves the tRNA gene transcriptionally active. With replacement extended to -2 the gene is active in Xenopus extracts but nearly inert in yeast extracts. We conclude that tRNA transcription in yeast is insensitive to IVS structure but can be positively influenced by 5'-flanking sequence.

Putative introns in tRNA genes of prokaryotes

Sequences of two putative tRNA genes, for serine and leucine, from the archaebacterium Sulfolobus solfataricus contain intervening sequences in the anticodon region. Furthermore, the genes lack encoded CCA 3' termini and are flanked by A + T-rich DNA segments. The introns can both form the same secondary structure, which is a double-helical extension of the anticodon stalk. The resulting structure contains two symmetrically placed 3-base bulge loops, in which are located cleavage sites for the introns. In the one case tested, the gene occurs as a single copy in the genome.

Isolation and nucleotide sequence of a plant tRNA gene: petunia asparagine tRNA

A 14.3 kb petunia genomic DNA fragment was isolated and found to contain a single tRNA gene coding for asparagine tRNA. The nucleotide sequence of the asparagine tRNA gene and its flanking regions has been determined. This gene does not contain intervening sequences nor the 3'-end CCA sequence of the mature tRNA and presents a similar overall sequence homology (70%) to both E. coli and mammalian asparagine tRNA. As in other eukaryotic tRNA genes the 5'-flanking region does not seem to contain any special sequence that could function as a regulatory element and the 3'-end is followed by a short cluster of T that may function as the transcription termination site.

Yeast tRNA3Leu gene transcribed and spliced in a HeLa cell extract

A cloned yeast tRNA3Leu gene containing a 33-base intervening sequence (IVS) is selectively transcribed by a soluble extract from HeLa cells. The 130-nucleotide tRNA3Leu precursor RNA formed is colinear with the gene and contains approximately 4 leader nucleotides and up to 9 trailer nucleotides. The IVS is accurately and efficiently removed by an endogenous HeLa excision-ligase activity to yield the spliced tRNA, the free IVS, and the half-tRNA intermediates. The splicing reaction occurs without prior 5' and 3' maturation of the precursor but, with this exception, this pattern of synthesis and subsequent maturation of the tRNA3Leu precursor conforms to the scheme for tRNA biosynthesis deduced for the xenopus system. Indeed, the two systems utilize similar or identical tRNA3Leu precursors. Our results stress the extraordinary conservation of tRNA biosynthesis in eukaryotes and demonstrate that a HeLa extract provides a useful system for investigating this process.

Mammalian tRNA genes: nucleotide sequence of rat genes for tRNAAsp, tRNAGly and tRNAGlu

A cloned 2.1 kb fragment of rat DNA hybridized to purified tRNAAsp has been sequenced. The result revealed that in addition to the putative gene for tRNAAspGAU(C), the fragment contained the tRNAGlyGGA(G) and tRNAGluGAG genes. The genes for tRNAAsp, tRNAGly and tRNAGlu have the same polarity, are arranged in this order and are regularly separated by DNA regions of about 450 bp. These rat genes contain neither intervening sequences nor the CCA sequence expected in the 3'-end of the mature tRNA. As observed in lower eukaryotic tRNA genes, the 5'-flanking regions of the three rat genes do not have any significant sequence homology as a regulatory element. In the 3'-flanking region, the sequences CTTTTTG and CTTTTG are present 11 bp downstream from the 3'-end of the genes for tRNAAsp and tRNAGly, respectively. The same CTTTTG sequence is repeated twice in regions 47 and 60 bp away from the tRNAGlu gene. The short T cluster common to the three genes might be the transcription termination site as in lower eukaryotic tRNA genes.

The structure and function of tRNA genes of higher eukaryotes

The most recent findings concerning the structure and function of tRNA genes of higher eukaryotes are discussed in an exemplary way. The tRNA genes of higher organisms are either dispersed or clustered at different sites of the genome. Clusters contain tRNA genes oriented in both directions and on both strands of the DNA with spacers of various length inbetween. Some genes contain intervening sequences close to the 3' side of the anticodon. The primary transcription product possesses a 5' leader and a 3' trailer sequence which are removed by several maturation steps in a strict temporal and spacial order. Internal transcription control regions (promotors) are located at the 5' and 3' ends of the mature tRNA coding section of the tRNA gene. External sequences modulating the efficiency of the expression are present at the immediate 5' ends of the genes. Transfer RNA genes are located nonrandomly in the nucleosomes.

Mutations of the yeast SUP4 tRNATyr locus: transcription of the mutant genes in vitro

Twenty-nine different SUP4-o tRNATyr genes with second-site mutations were transcribed in X. laevis cell-free RNA polymerase III transcription reactions, and the in vitro transcripts were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Nineteen mutant genes yield normal amounts of RNA that co-electrophorese with SUP4-o gene transcripts. RNA synthesized from a mutant gene lacing a single base pair migrated slightly faster in gels, as expected. The still shorter transcripts made from seven other mutant genes suggest that several mutations alter transcription starting or stopping points. Fingerprint analyses of transcripts from the two most extreme cases showed that premature termination occurred at new tracts of T residues resulting from the mutations. Two mutations significantly enhance transcription, and two mutations which alter the invariant C within the T psi CG sequence dramatically reduce SUP4-o gene transcription. The regions of the SUP4-o gene that surround these mutations are partially homologous to intragenic sequences in many other eucaryotic tRNA and 5S RNA genes. We hypothesize that these homologous sequences are recognized as promoter regions during RNA polymerase III transcription initiation.

The nucleotide sequence of phenylalanine tRNA from the cytoplasm of Neurospora crassa

The phenylalanine tRNA from the cytoplasm of Neurospora crassa has been purified and sequenced. The sequence is: pGCGGGUUUAm2GCUCA (N) GDDGGGAGAGCm22GpsiCAGACmUGmAAYApsim5CUGAAGm7GDm5CGUGUGTpsiCGm1AUCCACACAAACCGCACCAOH. Both in the nature of modified nucleotides which are present in this tRNA and in the overall sequence, this tRNA resembles more closely phenylalanine tRNAs of eukaryotic cytoplasm than those of prokaryotes. The sequence of this tRNA differs from those of the corresponding tRNAs of wheat germ and yeast by only 6 and 7 nucleotides respectively out of 76 nucleotides.U