Role of the uS9/yS16 C-terminal tail in translation initiation and elongation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Variations in transfer and ribosomal RNA epitranscriptomic status can adapt eukaryote translation to changing physiological and environmental conditions

The timely reprogramming of gene expression in response to internal and external cues is essential to eukaryote development and acclimation to changing environments. Chemically modifying molecular receptors and transducers of these signals is one way to efficiently induce proper physiological responses. Post-translation modifications, regulating protein biological activities, are central to many well-known signal-responding pathways. Recently, messenger RNA (mRNA) chemical (i.e. epitranscriptomic) modifications were also shown to play a key role in these processes. In contrast, transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) chemical modifications, although critical for optimal function of the translation apparatus, and much more diverse and quantitatively important compared to mRNA modifications, were until recently considered as mainly static chemical decorations. We present here recent observations that are challenging this view and supporting the hypothesis that tRNA and rRNA modifications dynamically respond to various cell and environmental conditions and contribute to adapt translation to these conditions.

Loss of m1acp3Ψ Ribosomal RNA Modification Is a Major Feature of Cancer

The ribosome is an RNA-protein complex that is essential for translation in all domains of life. The structural and catalytic core of the ribosome is its ribosomal RNA (rRNA). While mutations in ribosomal protein (RP) genes are known drivers of oncogenesis, oncogenic rRNA variants have remained elusive. We identify a cancer-specific single-nucleotide variation in 18S rRNA at nucleotide 1248.U in up to 45.9% of patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and present across >22 cancer types. This is the site of a unique hyper-modified base, 1-methyl-3-α-amino-α-carboxyl-propyl pseudouridine (m¹acp³Ψ), a >1-billion-years-conserved RNA modification at the peptidyl decoding site of the ribosome. A subset of CRC tumors we call hypo-m¹acp³Ψ shows sub-stoichiometric m¹acp³Ψ modification, unlike normal control tissues. An m¹acp³Ψ knockout model and hypo-m¹acp³Ψ patient tumors share a translational signature characterized by highly abundant ribosomal proteins. Thus, m¹acp³Ψ-deficient rRNA forms an uncharacterized class of "onco-ribosome" which may serve as a chemotherapeutic target for treating cancer patients.

Recent Advances in Archaeal Translation Initiation

Translation initiation (TI) allows accurate selection of the initiation codon on a messenger RNA (mRNA) and defines the reading frame. In all domains of life, translation initiation generally occurs within a macromolecular complex made up of the small ribosomal subunit, the mRNA, a specialized methionylated initiator tRNA, and translation initiation factors (IFs). Once the start codon is selected at the P site of the ribosome and the large subunit is associated, the IFs are released and a ribosome competent for elongation is formed. However, even if the general principles are the same in the three domains of life, the molecular mechanisms are different in bacteria, eukaryotes, and archaea and may also vary depending on the mRNA. Because TI mechanisms have evolved lately, their studies bring important information about the evolutionary relationships between extant organisms. In this context, recent structural data on ribosomal complexes and genome-wide studies are particularly valuable. This review focuses on archaeal translation initiation highlighting its relationships with either the eukaryotic or the bacterial world. Eukaryotic features of the archaeal small ribosomal subunit are presented. Ribosome evolution and TI mechanisms diversity in archaeal branches are discussed. Next, the use of leaderless mRNAs and that of leadered mRNAs having Shine-Dalgarno sequences is analyzed. Finally, the current knowledge on TI mechanisms of SD-leadered and leaderless mRNAs is detailed.

Structural basis of mitochondrial translation

Translation of mitochondrial messenger RNA (mt-mRNA) is performed by distinct mitoribosomes comprising at least 36 mitochondria-specific proteins. How these mitoribosomal proteins assist in the binding of mt-mRNA and to what extent they are involved in the translocation of transfer RNA (mt-tRNA) is unclear. To visualize the process of translation in human mitochondria, we report ~3.0 Å resolution structure of the human mitoribosome, including the L7/L12 stalk, and eight structures of its functional complexes with mt-mRNA, mt-tRNAs, recycling factor and additional trans factors. The study reveals a transacting protein module LRPPRC-SLIRP that delivers mt-mRNA to the mitoribosomal small subunit through a dedicated platform formed by the mitochondria-specific protein mS39. Mitoribosomal proteins of the large subunit mL40, mL48, and mL64 coordinate translocation of mt-tRNA. The comparison between those structures shows dynamic interactions between the mitoribosome and its ligands, suggesting a sequential mechanism of conformational changes.

Cryo-EM study of an archaeal 30S initiation complex gives insights into evolution of translation initiation

Archaeal translation initiation occurs within a macromolecular complex containing the small ribosomal subunit (30S) bound to mRNA, initiation factors aIF1, aIF1A and the ternary complex aIF2:GDPNP:Met-tRNA_i^Met. Here, we determine the cryo-EM structure of a 30S:mRNA:aIF1A:aIF2:GTP:Met-tRNA_i^Met complex from Pyrococcus abyssi at 3.2 Å resolution. It highlights archaeal features in ribosomal proteins and rRNA modifications. We find an aS21 protein, at the location of eS21 in eukaryotic ribosomes. Moreover, we identify an N-terminal extension of archaeal eL41 contacting the P site. We characterize 34 N⁴-acetylcytidines distributed throughout 16S rRNA, likely contributing to hyperthermostability. Without aIF1, the 30S head is stabilized and initiator tRNA is tightly bound to the P site. A network of interactions involving tRNA, mRNA, rRNA modified nucleotides and C-terminal tails of uS9, uS13 and uS19 is observed. Universal features and domain-specific idiosyncrasies of translation initiation are discussed in light of ribosomal structures from representatives of each domain of life.

Communication between RACK1/Asc1 and uS3 (Rps3) is essential for RACK1/Asc1 function in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The receptor for activated c-kinase (RACK1, Asc1 in yeast) is a eukaryotic ribosomal protein located in the head region of the 40S subunit near the mRNA exit channel. This WD-repeat β-propeller protein acts as a signaling molecule and is involved in metabolic regulation, cell cycle progression, and translational control. However, the exact details of the RACK1 recruitment and stable association with the 40S ribosomal subunit remain only partially known. X-ray analyses of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ribosome revealed that the RACK1 propeller blade (4-5) interacts with the eukaryote-specific C-terminal domain (CTD) of ribosomal protein S3 (uS3 family). To check the functional significance of this interaction, we generated mutant yeast strains harboring C-terminal deletions of uS3. We found that deletion of the 20 C-terminal residues (interacting with blade 4-5) from the uS3-CTD abrogates RACK1 binding to the ribosome. Strains with truncated uS3-CTD exhibited compromised cellular growth and protein synthesis similar to that of RACK1Δ strain, thus suggesting that the uS3-CTD is crucial not only for the recruitment and association of RACK1 with the ribosome, but also for its intracellular function. We suggest that eukaryote-specific RACK1-uS3 interaction has evolved to act as a link between the ribosome and the cellular signaling pathways.