1
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Huang T, Chamberlain A, Zhu J, Harris ME. A minimal RNA substrate with dual fluorescent probes enables rapid kinetics and provides insight into bacterial RNase P active site interactions. RSC Chem Biol 2024; 5:652-668. [PMID: 38966670 PMCID: PMC11221534 DOI: 10.1039/d4cb00049h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial ribonuclease P (RNase P) is a tRNA processing endonuclease that occurs primarily as a ribonucleoprotein with a catalytic RNA subunit (P RNA). As one of the first ribozymes discovered, P RNA is a well-studied model system for understanding RNA catalysis and substrate recognition. Extensive structural and biochemical studies have revealed the structure of RNase P bound to precursor tRNA (ptRNA) and product tRNA. These studies also helped to define active site residues and propose the molecular interactions that are involved in substrate binding and catalysis. However, a detailed quantitative model of the reaction cycle that includes the structures of intermediates and the process of positioning active site metal ions for catalysis is lacking. To further this goal, we used a chemically modified minimal RNA duplex substrate (MD1) to establish a kinetic framework for measuring the functional effects of P RNA active site mutations. Substitution of U69, a critical nucleotide involved in active site Mg2+ binding, was found to reduce catalysis >500-fold as expected, but had no measurable effect on ptRNA binding kinetics. In contrast, the same U69 mutations had little effect on catalysis in Ca2+ compared to reactions containing native Mg2+ ions. CryoEM structures and SHAPE mapping suggested increased flexibility of U69 and adjacent nucleotides in Ca2+ compared to Mg2+. These results support a model in which slow catalysis in Ca2+ is due to inability to engage U69. These studies establish a set of experimental tools to analyze RNase P kinetics and mechanism and can be expanded to gain new insights into the assembly of the active RNase P-ptRNA complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida Gainesville FL 32608 USA
| | | | - Jiaqiang Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida Gainesville FL 32608 USA
| | - Michael E Harris
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida Gainesville FL 32608 USA
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2
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Rossmanith W, Giegé P, Hartmann RK. Discovery, structure, mechanisms, and evolution of protein-only RNase P enzymes. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105731. [PMID: 38336295 PMCID: PMC10941002 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The endoribonuclease RNase P is responsible for tRNA 5' maturation in all domains of life. A unique feature of RNase P is the variety of enzyme architectures, ranging from dual- to multi-subunit ribonucleoprotein forms with catalytic RNA subunits to protein-only enzymes, the latter occurring as single- or multi-subunit forms or homo-oligomeric assemblies. The protein-only enzymes evolved twice: a eukaryal protein-only RNase P termed PRORP and a bacterial/archaeal variant termed homolog of Aquifex RNase P (HARP); the latter replaced the RNA-based enzyme in a small group of thermophilic bacteria but otherwise coexists with the ribonucleoprotein enzyme in a few other bacteria as well as in those archaea that also encode a HARP. Here we summarize the history of the discovery of protein-only RNase P enzymes and review the state of knowledge on structure and function of bacterial HARPs and eukaryal PRORPs, including human mitochondrial RNase P as a paradigm of multi-subunit PRORPs. We also describe the phylogenetic distribution and evolution of PRORPs, as well as possible reasons for the spread of PRORPs in the eukaryal tree and for the recruitment of two additional protein subunits to metazoan mitochondrial PRORP. We outline potential applications of PRORPs in plant biotechnology and address diseases associated with mutations in human mitochondrial RNase P genes. Finally, we consider possible causes underlying the displacement of the ancient RNA enzyme by a protein-only enzyme in a small group of bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Rossmanith
- Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Philippe Giegé
- Institute for Plant Molecular Biology, IBMP-CNRS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Roland K Hartmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
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3
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Wilhelm CA, Kaitany K, Kelly A, Yacoub M, Koutmos M. The protein-only RNase Ps, endonucleases that cleave pre-tRNA: Biological relevance, molecular architectures, substrate recognition and specificity, and protein interactomes. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2024; 15:e1836. [PMID: 38453211 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Protein-only RNase P (PRORP) is an essential enzyme responsible for the 5' maturation of precursor tRNAs (pre-tRNAs). PRORPs are classified into three categories with unique molecular architectures, although all three classes of PRORPs share a mechanism and have similar active sites. Single subunit PRORPs, like those found in plants, have multiple isoforms with different localizations, substrate specificities, and temperature sensitivities. Most recently, Arabidopsis thaliana PRORP2 was shown to interact with TRM1A and B, highlighting a new potential role between these enzymes. Work with At PRORPs led to the development of a ribonuclease that is being used to protect against plant viruses. The mitochondrial RNase P complex, found in metazoans, consists of PRORP, TRMT10C, and SDR5C1, and has also been shown to have substrate specificity, although the cause is unknown. Mutations in mitochondrial tRNA and mitochondrial RNase P have been linked to human disease, highlighting the need to continue understanding this complex. The last class of PRORPs, homologs of Aquifex RNase P (HARPs), is found in thermophilic archaea and bacteria. This most recently discovered type of PRORP forms a large homo-oligomer complex. Although numerous structures of HARPs have been published, it is still unclear how HARPs bind pre-tRNAs and in what ratio. There is also little investigation into the substrate specificity and ideal conditions for HARPs. Moving forward, further work is required to fully characterize each of the three classes of PRORP, the pre-tRNA binding recognition mechanism, the rules of substrate specificity, and how these three distinct classes of PRORP evolved. This article is categorized under: RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics and Chemistry RNA Structure and Dynamics > Influence of RNA Structure in Biological Systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kipchumba Kaitany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Program in Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Abigail Kelly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Matthew Yacoub
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Markos Koutmos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Program in Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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4
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Sridhara S. Multiple structural flavors of RNase P in precursor tRNA processing. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2024; 15:e1835. [PMID: 38479802 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
The precursor transfer RNAs (pre-tRNAs) require extensive processing to generate mature tRNAs possessing proper fold, structural stability, and functionality required to sustain cellular viability. The road to tRNA maturation follows an ordered process: 5'-processing, 3'-processing, modifications at specific sites, if any, and 3'-CCA addition before aminoacylation and recruitment to the cellular protein synthesis machinery. Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is a universally conserved endonuclease in all domains of life, performing the hydrolysis of pre-tRNA sequences at the 5' end by the removal of phosphodiester linkages between nucleotides at position -1 and +1. Except for an archaeal species: Nanoarchaeum equitans where tRNAs are transcribed from leaderless-position +1, RNase P is indispensable for life and displays fundamental variations in terms of enzyme subunit composition, mechanism of substrate recognition and active site architecture, utilizing in all cases a two metal ion-mediated conserved catalytic reaction. While the canonical RNA-based ribonucleoprotein RNase P has been well-known to occur in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes, the occurrence of RNA-free protein-only RNase P in eukaryotes and RNA-free homologs of Aquifex RNase P in prokaryotes has been discovered more recently. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of structural diversity displayed by various RNA-based and RNA-free RNase P holoenzymes towards harnessing critical RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions in achieving conserved pre-tRNA processing functionality. Furthermore, alternate roles and functional interchangeability of RNase P are discussed in the context of its employability in several clinical and biotechnological applications. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > tRNA Processing RNA Evolution and Genomics > RNA and Ribonucleoprotein Evolution RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar Sridhara
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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5
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Wilhelm CA, Mallik L, Kelly AL, Brotzman S, Mendoza J, Anders AG, Leskaj S, Castillo C, Ruotolo BT, Cianfrocco MA, Koutmos M. Bacterial RNA-free RNase P: Structural and functional characterization of multiple oligomeric forms of a minimal protein-only ribonuclease P. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105327. [PMID: 37806495 PMCID: PMC10652100 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
tRNAs are typically transcribed with extended 5' and 3' ends that must be removed before they attain their active form. One of the first steps of tRNA processing in nearly every organism is the removal of the 5' leader sequence by ribonuclease P (RNase P). Here, we investigate a recently discovered class of RNase P enzymes, Homologs of Aquifex RNase P (HARPs). In contrast to other RNase Ps, HARPs consist only of a metallonuclease domain and lack the canonical substrate recognition domain essential in other classes of proteinaceous RNase P. We determined the cryo-EM structure of Aquifex aeolicus HARP (Aq880) and two crystal structures of Hydrogenobacter thermophilus HARP (Hth1307) to reveal that both enzymes form large ring-like assemblies: a dodecamer in Aq880 and a tetradecamer in Hth1307. In both oligomers, the enzyme active site is 42 Å away from a positively charged helical region, as seen in other protein-only RNase P enzymes, which likely serves to recognize and bind the elbow region of the pre-tRNA substrate. In addition, we use native mass spectrometry to confirm and characterize the previously unreported tetradecamer state. Notably, we find that multiple oligomeric states of Hth1307 are able to cleave pre-tRNAs. Furthermore, our single-turnover kinetic studies indicate that Hth1307 cleaves pre-tRNAs from multiple species with a preference for native substrates. These data provide a closer look at the nuanced similarities and differences in tRNA processing across disparate classes of RNase P.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leena Mallik
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Abigail L Kelly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Shayna Brotzman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Johnny Mendoza
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anna G Anders
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Suada Leskaj
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Carmen Castillo
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Brandon T Ruotolo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Michael A Cianfrocco
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Markos Koutmos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Program in Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
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6
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Bhatta A, Hillen HS. Structural and mechanistic basis of RNA processing by protein-only ribonuclease P enzymes. Trends Biochem Sci 2022; 47:965-977. [PMID: 35725940 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ribonuclease P (RNase P) enzymes are responsible for the 5' processing of tRNA precursors. In addition to the well-characterised ribozyme-based RNase P enzymes, an evolutionarily distinct group of protein-only RNase Ps exists. These proteinaceous RNase Ps (PRORPs) can be found in all three domains of life and can be divided into two structurally different types: eukaryotic and prokaryotic. Recent structural studies on members of both families reveal a surprising diversity of molecular architectures, but also highlight conceptual and mechanistic similarities. Here, we provide a comparison between the different types of PRORP enzymes and review how the combination of structural, biochemical, and biophysical studies has led to a molecular picture of protein-mediated tRNA processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Bhatta
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Goettingen, Humboldtallee 23, D-37073 Goettingen, Germany; Research Group Structure and Function of Molecular Machines, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Hauke S Hillen
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Goettingen, Humboldtallee 23, D-37073 Goettingen, Germany; Research Group Structure and Function of Molecular Machines, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Goettingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells (MBExC), University of Goettingen, D-37075 Goettingen, Germany.
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7
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Ender A, Grafl N, Kolberg T, Findeiß S, Stadler PF, Mörl M. Synthetic riboswitches for the analysis of tRNA processing by eukaryotic RNase P enzymes. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 28:551-567. [PMID: 35022261 PMCID: PMC8925977 DOI: 10.1261/rna.078814.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Removal of the 5'-leader region is an essential step in the maturation of tRNA molecules in all domains of life. This reaction is catalyzed by various RNase P activities, ranging from ribonucleoproteins with ribozyme activity to protein-only forms. In Escherichia coli, the efficiency of RNase P-mediated cleavage can be controlled by computationally designed riboswitch elements in a ligand-dependent way, where the 5'-leader sequence of a tRNA precursor is either sequestered in a hairpin structure or presented as a single-stranded region accessible for maturation. In the presented work, the regulatory potential of such artificial constructs is tested on different forms of eukaryotic RNase P enzymes-two protein-only RNase P enzymes (PRORP1 and PRORP2) from Arabidopsis thaliana and the ribonucleoprotein of Homo sapiens The PRORP enzymes were analyzed in vitro as well as in vivo in a bacterial RNase P complementation system. We also tested in HEK293T cells whether the riboswitches remain functional with human nuclear RNase P. While the regulatory principle of the synthetic riboswitches applies for all tested RNase P enzymes, the results also show differences in the substrate requirements of the individual enzyme versions. Hence, such designed RNase P riboswitches represent a novel tool to investigate the impact of the structural composition of the 5'-leader on substrate recognition by different types of RNase P enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ender
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nadine Grafl
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tim Kolberg
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sven Findeiß
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter F Stadler
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Science, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, USA
| | - Mario Mörl
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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8
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Shaukat AN, Kaliatsi EG, Skeparnias I, Stathopoulos C. The Dynamic Network of RNP RNase P Subunits. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910307. [PMID: 34638646 PMCID: PMC8509007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is an important ribonucleoprotein (RNP), responsible for the maturation of the 5′ end of precursor tRNAs (pre-tRNAs). In all organisms, the cleavage activity of a single phosphodiester bond adjacent to the first nucleotide of the acceptor stem is indispensable for cell viability and lies within an essential catalytic RNA subunit. Although RNase P is a ribozyme, its kinetic efficiency in vivo, as well as its structural variability and complexity throughout evolution, requires the presence of one protein subunit in bacteria to several protein partners in archaea and eukaryotes. Moreover, the existence of protein-only RNase P (PRORP) enzymes in several organisms and organelles suggests a more complex evolutionary timeline than previously thought. Recent detailed structures of bacterial, archaeal, human and mitochondrial RNase P complexes suggest that, although apparently dissimilar enzymes, they all recognize pre-tRNAs through conserved interactions. Interestingly, individual protein subunits of the human nuclear and mitochondrial holoenzymes have additional functions and contribute to a dynamic network of elaborate interactions and cellular processes. Herein, we summarize the role of each RNase P subunit with a focus on the human nuclear RNP and its putative role in flawless gene expression in light of recent structural studies.
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9
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Bhatta A, Dienemann C, Cramer P, Hillen HS. Structural basis of RNA processing by human mitochondrial RNase P. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2021; 28:713-723. [PMID: 34489609 PMCID: PMC8437803 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-021-00637-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human mitochondrial transcripts contain messenger and ribosomal RNAs flanked by transfer RNAs (tRNAs), which are excised by mitochondrial RNase (mtRNase) P and Z to liberate all RNA species. In contrast to nuclear or bacterial RNase P, mtRNase P is not a ribozyme but comprises three protein subunits that carry out RNA cleavage and methylation by unknown mechanisms. Here, we present the cryo-EM structure of human mtRNase P bound to precursor tRNA, which reveals a unique mechanism of substrate recognition and processing. Subunits TRMT10C and SDR5C1 form a subcomplex that binds conserved mitochondrial tRNA elements, including the anticodon loop, and positions the tRNA for methylation. The endonuclease PRORP is recruited and activated through interactions with its PPR and nuclease domains to ensure precise pre-tRNA cleavage. The structure provides the molecular basis for the first step of RNA processing in human mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Bhatta
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Research Group Structure and Function of Molecular Machines, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Dienemann
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Patrick Cramer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence 'Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells' (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hauke S Hillen
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
- Research Group Structure and Function of Molecular Machines, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence 'Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells' (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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10
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Karasik A, Wilhelm CA, Fierke CA, Koutmos M. Disease-associated mutations in mitochondrial precursor tRNAs affect binding, m1R9 methylation, and tRNA processing by mtRNase P. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 27:420-432. [PMID: 33380464 PMCID: PMC7962481 DOI: 10.1261/rna.077198.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases linked to mutations in mitochondrial (mt) tRNA sequences are common. However, the contributions of these tRNA mutations to the development of diseases is mostly unknown. Mutations may affect interactions with (mt)tRNA maturation enzymes or protein synthesis machinery leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. In human mitochondria, in most cases the first step of tRNA processing is the removal of the 5' leader of precursor tRNAs (pre-tRNA) catalyzed by the three-component enzyme, mtRNase P. Additionally, one component of mtRNase P, mitochondrial RNase P protein 1 (MRPP1), catalyzes methylation of the R9 base in pre-tRNAs. Despite the central role of 5' end processing in mitochondrial tRNA maturation, the link between mtRNase P and diseases is mostly unexplored. Here, we investigate how 11 different human disease-linked mutations in (mt)pre-tRNAIle, (mt)pre-tRNALeu(UUR), and (mt)pre-tRNAMet affect the activities of mtRNase P. We find that several mutations weaken the pre-tRNA binding affinity (KD s are approximately two- to sixfold higher than that of wild-type), while the majority of mutations decrease 5' end processing and methylation activity catalyzed by mtRNase P (up to ∼55% and 90% reduction, respectively). Furthermore, all of the investigated mutations in (mt)pre-tRNALeu(UUR) alter the tRNA fold which contributes to the partial loss of function of mtRNase P. Overall, these results reveal an etiological link between early steps of (mt)tRNA-substrate processing and mitochondrial disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Karasik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
| | - Catherine A Wilhelm
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Carol A Fierke
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Markos Koutmos
- Department of Chemistry, Program in Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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11
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Teramoto T, Kaitany KJ, Kakuta Y, Kimura M, Fierke CA, Hall TMT. Pentatricopeptide repeats of protein-only RNase P use a distinct mode to recognize conserved bases and structural elements of pre-tRNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:11815-11826. [PMID: 32719843 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) motifs are α-helical structures known for their modular recognition of single-stranded RNA sequences with each motif in a tandem array binding to a single nucleotide. Protein-only RNase P 1 (PRORP1) in Arabidopsis thaliana is an endoribonuclease that uses its PPR domain to recognize precursor tRNAs (pre-tRNAs) as it catalyzes removal of the 5'-leader sequence from pre-tRNAs with its NYN metallonuclease domain. To gain insight into the mechanism by which PRORP1 recognizes tRNA, we determined a crystal structure of the PPR domain in complex with yeast tRNAPhe at 2.85 Å resolution. The PPR domain of PRORP1 bound to the structurally conserved elbow of tRNA and recognized conserved structural features of tRNAs using mechanisms that are different from the established single-stranded RNA recognition mode of PPR motifs. The PRORP1 PPR domain-tRNAPhe structure revealed a conformational change of the PPR domain upon tRNA binding and moreover demonstrated the need for pronounced overall flexibility in the PRORP1 enzyme conformation for substrate recognition and catalysis. The PRORP1 PPR motifs have evolved strategies for protein-tRNA interaction analogous to tRNA recognition by the RNA component of ribonucleoprotein RNase P and other catalytic RNAs, indicating convergence on a common solution for tRNA substrate recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takamasa Teramoto
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.,Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Kipchumba J Kaitany
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yoshimitsu Kakuta
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Makoto Kimura
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Carol A Fierke
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Traci M Tanaka Hall
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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12
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Yang Y, Liu X, Wang K, Li J, Zhu G, Ren S, Deng Z, Zhu B, Fu D, Qu G, Luo Y, Zhu H. Molecular and functional diversity of organelle RNA editing mediated by RNA recognition motif-containing protein ORRM4 in tomato. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 228:570-585. [PMID: 32473605 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plant organellar RNA editing is a distinct type of post-transcriptional RNA modification that is critical for plant development. We showed previously that the RNA editing factor SlORRM4 is required for mitochondrial function and fruit ripening in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). However, a comprehensive atlas of the RNA editing mediated by SlORRM4 is lacking. We observed that SlORRM4 is targeted to both chloroplasts and mitochondria, and its knockout results in pale-green leaves and delayed fruit ripening. Using high-throughput sequencing, we identified 12 chloroplast editing sites and 336 mitochondrial editing sites controlled by SlORRM4, accounting for 23% of chloroplast sites in leaves and 61% of mitochondrial sites in fruits, respectively. Analysis of native RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing revealed that SlORRM4 binds to 31 RNA targets; 19 of these targets contain SlORRM4-dependent editing sites. Large-scale analysis of putative SlORRM4-interacting proteins identified SlRIP1b, a RIP/MORF protein. Moreover, functional characterization demonstrated that SlRIP1b is involved in tomato fruit ripening. Our results indicate that SlORRM4 binds to RNA targets and interacts with SlRIP1b to broadly affect RNA editing in tomato organelles. These results provide insights into the molecular and functional diversity of RNA editing factors in higher plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfang Yang
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiuying Liu
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Keru Wang
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jinyan Li
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Guoning Zhu
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Shuang Ren
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Zhiping Deng
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Institute of Virology and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310021, China
| | - Benzhong Zhu
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Daqi Fu
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Guiqin Qu
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yunbo Luo
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hongliang Zhu
- The College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
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13
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Karasik A, Fierke CA, Koutmos M. Interplay between substrate recognition, 5' end tRNA processing and methylation activity of human mitochondrial RNase P. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 25:1646-1660. [PMID: 31455609 PMCID: PMC6859853 DOI: 10.1261/rna.069310.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Human mitochondrial ribonuclease P (mtRNase P) is an essential three-protein complex that catalyzes the 5' end maturation of mitochondrial precursor tRNAs (pre-tRNAs). Mitochondrial RNase P Protein 3 (MRPP3), a protein-only RNase P (PRORP), is the nuclease component of the mtRNase P complex and requires a two-protein S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferase MRPP1/2 subcomplex to function. Dysfunction of mtRNase P is linked to several human mitochondrial diseases, such as mitochondrial myopathies. Despite its central role in mitochondrial RNA processing, little is known about how the protein subunits of mtRNase P function synergistically. Here, we use purified mtRNase P to demonstrate that mtRNase P recognizes, cleaves, and methylates some, but not all, mitochondrial pre-tRNAs in vitro. Additionally, mtRNase P does not process all mitochondrial pre-tRNAs uniformly, suggesting the possibility that some pre-tRNAs require additional factors to be cleaved in vivo. Consistent with this, we found that addition of the TRMT10C (MRPP1) cofactor SAM enhances the ability of mtRNase P to bind and cleave some mitochondrial pre-tRNAs. Furthermore, the presence of MRPP3 can enhance the methylation activity of MRPP1/2. Taken together, our data demonstrate that the subunits of mtRNase P work together to efficiently recognize, process, and methylate human mitochondrial pre-tRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Karasik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
| | - Carol A Fierke
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Markos Koutmos
- Department of Chemistry, Program in Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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14
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Bouchoucha A, Waltz F, Bonnard G, Arrivé M, Hammann P, Kuhn L, Schelcher C, Zuber H, Gobert A, Giegé P. Determination of protein-only RNase P interactome in Arabidopsis mitochondria and chloroplasts identifies a complex between PRORP1 and another NYN domain nuclease. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 100:549-561. [PMID: 31319441 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The essential type of endonuclease that removes 5' leader sequences from transfer RNA precursors is called RNase P. While ribonucleoprotein RNase P enzymes containing a ribozyme are found in all domains of life, another type of RNase P called 'PRORP', for 'PROtein-only RNase P', is composed of protein that occurs only in a wide variety of eukaryotes, in organelles and in the nucleus. Here, to find how PRORP functions integrate with other cell processes, we explored the protein interaction network of PRORP1 in Arabidopsis mitochondria and chloroplasts. Although PRORP proteins function as single subunit enzymes in vitro, we found that PRORP1 occurs in protein complexes and is present in high-molecular-weight fractions that contain mitochondrial ribosomes. The analysis of immunoprecipitated protein complexes identified proteins involved in organellar gene expression processes. In particular, direct interaction was established between PRORP1 and MNU2 a mitochondrial nuclease. A specific domain of MNU2 and a conserved signature of PRORP1 were found to be directly accountable for this protein interaction. Altogether, results revealed the existence of an RNA maturation complex in Arabidopsis mitochondria and suggested that PRORP proteins cooperated with other gene expression factors for RNA maturation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayoub Bouchoucha
- Institut de biologie moléculaire des plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Florent Waltz
- Institut de biologie moléculaire des plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Géraldine Bonnard
- Institut de biologie moléculaire des plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Mathilde Arrivé
- Institut de biologie moléculaire des plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Philippe Hammann
- Plateforme protéomique Strasbourg-Esplanade, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 15 rue René Descartes, Strasbourg, F-67084, France
| | - Lauriane Kuhn
- Plateforme protéomique Strasbourg-Esplanade, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 15 rue René Descartes, Strasbourg, F-67084, France
| | - Cédric Schelcher
- Institut de biologie moléculaire des plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Hélène Zuber
- Institut de biologie moléculaire des plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Anthony Gobert
- Institut de biologie moléculaire des plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Philippe Giegé
- Institut de biologie moléculaire des plantes, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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15
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Dedow LK, Bailey-Serres J. Searching for a Match: Structure, Function and Application of Sequence-Specific RNA-Binding Proteins. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 60:1927-1938. [PMID: 31329953 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcz072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Plants encode over 1800 RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that modulate a myriad of steps in gene regulation from chromatin organization to translation, yet only a small number of these proteins and their target transcripts have been functionally characterized. Two classes of eukaryotic RBPs, pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) and pumilio/fem-3 binding factors (PUF), recognize and bind to specific sequential RNA sequences through protein-RNA interactions. These modular proteins possess helical structural units containing key residues with high affinity for specific nucleotides, whose sequential order determines binding to a specific target RNA sequence. PPR proteins are nucleus-encoded, but largely regulate post-transcriptional gene regulation within plastids and mitochondria, including splicing, translation and RNA editing. Plant PUFs are involved in gene regulatory processes within the cell nucleus and cytoplasm. The modular structures of PPRs and PUFs that determine sequence specificity has facilitated identification of their RNA targets and biological functions. The protein-based RNA-targeting of PPRs and PUFs contrasts to the prokaryotic cluster regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated proteins (Cas) that target RNAs in prokaryotes. Together the PPR, PUF and CRISPR-Cas systems provide varied opportunities for RNA-targeted engineering applications.
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16
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Chen TH, Sotomayor M, Gopalan V. Biochemical Studies Provide Insights into the Necessity for Multiple Arabidopsis thaliana Protein-Only RNase P Isoenzymes. J Mol Biol 2018; 431:615-624. [PMID: 30414965 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
RNase P catalyzes removal of the 5' leader from precursor tRNAs (pre-tRNAs) in all three domains of life. Some eukaryotic cells contain multiple forms of the protein-only RNase P (PRORP) variant, prompting efforts to unravel this seeming redundancy. Previous studies concluded that there were only modest differences in the processing of typical pre-tRNAs by the three isoforms in Arabidopsis thaliana [AtPRORP1 (organellar), AtPRORP2 and AtPRORP3 (nuclear)]. Here, we investigated if different physical attributes of the three isoforms might engender payoffs under specific conditions. Our temperature-activity profiling studies revealed that AtPRORPs display substrate-identity dependent behavior at elevated temperatures (37-45 °C), with the organellar variant outperforming the nuclear counterparts. Echoing these findings, molecular dynamics simulations revealed that AtPRORP2 relative to AtPRORP1 samples a wider conformational ensemble that deviates from the crystal structure. Results from our biochemical studies and molecular dynamics simulations support the idea that AtPRORPs have overlapping but not necessarily redundant attributes and inspire new perspectives on the suitability of each variant to perform its function(s) in a specific cellular locale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tien-Hao Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Marcos Sotomayor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Venkat Gopalan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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