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Garin S, Levi O, Forrest ME, Antonellis A, Arava YS. Comprehensive characterization of mRNAs associated with yeast cytosolic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. RNA Biol 2021; 18:2605-2616. [PMID: 34039240 PMCID: PMC8632134 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1935116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are a conserved family of enzymes with an essential role in protein synthesis: ligating amino acids to cognate tRNA molecules for translation. In addition to their role in tRNA charging, aaRSs have acquired non-canonical functions, including post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA expression. Yet, the extent and mechanisms of these post-transcriptional functions are largely unknown. Herein, we performed a comprehensive transcriptome analysis to define the mRNAs that are associated with almost all aaRSs present in S. cerevisiae cytosol. Nineteen (out of twenty) isogenic strains of GFP-tagged cytosolic aaRSs were subjected to immunoprecipitation with anti-GFP beads along with an untagged control. mRNAs associated with each aaRS were then identified by RNA-seq. The extent of mRNA association varied significantly between aaRSs, from MetRS in which none appeared to be statistically significant, to PheRS that binds hundreds of different mRNAs. Interestingly, many target mRNAs are bound by multiple aaRSs, suggesting co-regulation by this family of enzymes. Gene Ontology analyses for aaRSs with a considerable number of target mRNAs discovered an enrichment for pathways of amino acid metabolism and of ribosome biosynthesis. Furthermore, sequence and structure motif analysis revealed for some aaRSs an enrichment for motifs that resemble the anticodon stem loop of cognate tRNAs. These data suggest that aaRSs coordinate mRNA expression in response to amino acid availability and may utilize RNA elements that mimic their canonical tRNA binding partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahar Garin
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ofri Levi
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Megan E. Forrest
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anthony Antonellis
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yoav S. Arava
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Garin S, Levi O, Cohen B, Golani-Armon A, Arava YS. Localization and RNA Binding of Mitochondrial Aminoacyl tRNA Synthetases. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11101185. [PMID: 33053729 PMCID: PMC7600831 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria contain a complete translation machinery that is used to translate its internally transcribed mRNAs. This machinery uses a distinct set of tRNAs that are charged with cognate amino acids inside the organelle. Interestingly, charging is executed by aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (aaRS) that are encoded by the nuclear genome, translated in the cytosol, and need to be imported into the mitochondria. Here, we review import mechanisms of these enzymes with emphasis on those that are localized to both mitochondria and cytosol. Furthermore, we describe RNA recognition features of these enzymes and their interaction with tRNA and non-tRNA molecules. The dual localization of mitochondria-destined aaRSs and their association with various RNA types impose diverse impacts on cellular physiology. Yet, the breadth and significance of these functions are not fully resolved. We highlight here possibilities for future explorations.
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The functional variant of NTN1 contributes to the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Eur J Hum Genet 2019; 28:453-460. [PMID: 31780810 PMCID: PMC7080719 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-019-0549-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous genome-wide association study of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) identified a susceptible variant (rs4791774). We hypothesized that the functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) may be in linkage disequilibrium with this lead SNP. The potential functional SNP (rs4791331) was identified by bioinformatic analysis. A case–control study with 891 orofacial cleft cases and 830 controls was designed to investigate its association with orofacial cleft. The allele-specific DNA-protein binding preference was predicted by JASPAR database. Cell proliferation, cycle and apoptosis, luciferase activity and netrin-1 (NTN1) expression were examined after transfection with the rs4791331 C/T vector in HEK-293 and HEPM cell lines. Forty-six lip tissues of NSCL/P patients were collected to detect NTN1 expression. ntn1a knockout zebrafish models were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 and observed with micro-CT. In the case–control study, the rs4791331-T allele was associated with an increased risk of nonsyndromic orofacial cleft (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.19–1.68), as well as the subgroups cleft lip only (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.14–1.87) and cleft lip and palate (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.27–1.96). The T allele of rs4791331 exhibited anti-apoptotic effects and promoted cell cycle progression at the G1/S transition. Decreased enhancer activity and reduced NTN1 expression following transfection of the T allele were observed. Carriers of the CT/TT genotypes showed significantly lower expression of NTN1 than CC carriers. The ntn1a−/− zebrafish showed relatively wider intermaxillary fissures. These results indicate that rs4791331 (C > T) disrupted motif binding and led to abnormal expression of NTN1, which may be involved in the development of NSCL/P.
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Karakostis K, Fåhraeus R. Shaping the regulation of the p53 mRNA tumour suppressor: the co-evolution of genetic signatures. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:915. [PMID: 31519161 PMCID: PMC6743176 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6118-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Structured RNA regulatory motifs exist from the prebiotic stages of the RNA world to the more complex eukaryotic systems. In cases where a functional RNA structure is within the coding sequence a selective pressure drives a parallel co-evolution of the RNA structure and the encoded peptide domain. The p53-MDM2 axis, describing the interactions between the p53 tumor suppressor and the MDM2 E3 ubiquitin ligase, serves as particularly useful model revealing how secondary RNA structures have co-evolved along with corresponding interacting protein motifs, thus having an impact on protein - RNA and protein - protein interactions; and how such structures developed signal-dependent regulation in mammalian systems. The p53(BOX-I) RNA sequence binds the C-terminus of MDM2 and controls p53 synthesis while the encoded peptide domain binds MDM2 and controls p53 degradation. The BOX-I peptide domain is also located within p53 transcription activation domain. The folding of the p53 mRNA structure has evolved from temperature-regulated in pre-vertebrates to an ATM kinase signal-dependent pathway in mammalian cells. The protein - protein interaction evolved in vertebrates and became regulated by the same signaling pathway. At the same time the protein - RNA and protein - protein interactions evolved, the p53 trans-activation domain progressed to become integrated into a range of cellular pathways. We discuss how a single synonymous mutation in the BOX-1, the p53(L22 L), observed in a chronic lymphocyte leukaemia patient, prevents the activation of p53 following DNA damage. The concepts analysed and discussed in this review may serve as a conceptual mechanistic paradigm of the co-evolution and function of molecules having roles in cellular regulation, or the aetiology of genetic diseases and how synonymous mutations can affect the encoded protein.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robin Fåhraeus
- Université Paris 7, INSERM UMR 1131, 27 Rue Juliette Dodu, 75010 Paris, France
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umea University, SE-90185 Umea, Sweden
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic
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Levi O, Garin S, Arava Y. RNA mimicry in post-transcriptional regulation by aminoacyl tRNA synthetases. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2019; 11:e1564. [PMID: 31414576 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (aaRS) are well studied for their roles in tRNA charging with cognate amino acid. Nevertheless, numerous lines of evidence indicate that these proteins have roles other than tRNA charging. These include coordination of cellular signaling cascades, induction of cytokines outside the cell and transcription regulation. Herein, we focus on their roles in post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA expression. We describe functions that are related to antitermination of transcription, RNA splicing and mRNA translation. Cases were recognition of mRNA by the aaRS involves recognition of tRNA-like structures are described. Such recognition may be achieved by repurposing tRNA-binding domains or through domains added to the aaRS later in evolution. Furthermore, we describe cases in which binding by aaRS is implicated in autogenous regulation of expression. Overall, we propose RNA-mimicry as a common mode of interaction between aaRS and mRNA which allows efficient expression regulation. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > tRNA Processing RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications Translation > Translation Regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofri Levi
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shahar Garin
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yoav Arava
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Structural studies of RNA-protein complexes: A hybrid approach involving hydrodynamics, scattering, and computational methods. Methods 2016; 118-119:146-162. [PMID: 27939506 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The diverse functional cellular roles played by ribonucleic acids (RNA) have emphasized the need to develop rapid and accurate methodologies to elucidate the relationship between the structure and function of RNA. Structural biology tools such as X-ray crystallography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance are highly useful methods to obtain atomic-level resolution models of macromolecules. However, both methods have sample, time, and technical limitations that prevent their application to a number of macromolecules of interest. An emerging alternative to high-resolution structural techniques is to employ a hybrid approach that combines low-resolution shape information about macromolecules and their complexes from experimental hydrodynamic (e.g. analytical ultracentrifugation) and solution scattering measurements (e.g., solution X-ray or neutron scattering), with computational modeling to obtain atomic-level models. While promising, scattering methods rely on aggregation-free, monodispersed preparations and therefore the careful development of a quality control pipeline is fundamental to an unbiased and reliable structural determination. This review article describes hydrodynamic techniques that are highly valuable for homogeneity studies, scattering techniques useful to study the low-resolution shape, and strategies for computational modeling to obtain high-resolution 3D structural models of RNAs, proteins, and RNA-protein complexes.
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Lamech LT, Saoji M, Paukstelis PJ, Lambowitz AM. Structural Divergence of the Group I Intron Binding Surface in Fungal Mitochondrial Tyrosyl-tRNA Synthetases That Function in RNA Splicing. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:11911-27. [PMID: 27036943 PMCID: PMC4882457 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.725390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases (mtTyrRSs) of Pezizomycotina fungi, a subphylum that includes many pathogenic species, are bifunctional proteins that both charge mitochondrial tRNA(Tyr) and act as splicing cofactors for autocatalytic group I introns. Previous studies showed that one of these proteins, Neurospora crassa CYT-18, binds group I introns by using both its N-terminal catalytic and C-terminal anticodon binding domains and that the catalytic domain uses a newly evolved group I intron binding surface that includes an N-terminal extension and two small insertions (insertions 1 and 2) with distinctive features not found in non-splicing mtTyrRSs. To explore how this RNA binding surface diverged to accommodate different group I introns in other Pezizomycotina fungi, we determined x-ray crystal structures of C-terminally truncated Aspergillus nidulans and Coccidioides posadasii mtTyrRSs. Comparisons with previous N. crassa CYT-18 structures and a structural model of the Aspergillus fumigatus mtTyrRS showed that the overall topology of the group I intron binding surface is conserved but with variations in key intron binding regions, particularly the Pezizomycotina-specific insertions. These insertions, which arose by expansion of flexible termini or internal loops, show greater variation in structure and amino acids potentially involved in group I intron binding than do neighboring protein core regions, which also function in intron binding but may be more constrained to preserve mtTyrRS activity. Our results suggest a structural basis for the intron specificity of different Pezizomycotina mtTyrRSs, highlight flexible terminal and loop regions as major sites for enzyme diversification, and identify targets for therapeutic intervention by disrupting an essential RNA-protein interaction in pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian T Lamech
- From the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712 and
| | - Maithili Saoji
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Paul J Paukstelis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Alan M Lambowitz
- From the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712 and
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Chen Y, Pollack L. SAXS studies of RNA: structures, dynamics, and interactions with partners. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2016; 7:512-26. [PMID: 27071649 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Small-angle X-ray scattering, SAXS, is a powerful and easily employed experimental technique that provides solution structures of macromolecules. The size and shape parameters derived from SAXS provide global structural information about these molecules in solution and essentially complement data acquired by other biophysical methods. As applied to protein systems, SAXS is a relatively mature technology: sophisticated tools exist to acquire and analyze data, and to create structural models that include dynamically flexible ensembles. Given the expanding appreciation of RNA's biological roles, there is a need to develop comparable tools to characterize solution structures of RNA, including its interactions with important biological partners. We review the progress toward achieving this goal, focusing on experimental and computational innovations. The use of multiphase modeling, absolute calibration and contrast variation methods, among others, provides new and often unique ways of visualizing this important biological molecule and its essential partners: ions, other RNAs, or proteins. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:512-526. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1349 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Chen
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Lois Pollack
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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Mendes NS, Silva PM, Silva-Rocha R, Martinez-Rossi NM, Rossi A. Pre-mRNA splicing is modulated by antifungal drugs in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. FEBS Open Bio 2016; 6:358-68. [PMID: 27239448 PMCID: PMC4821360 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
For this study, we sought to identify pre‐mRNA processing events modulated by changes in extracellular pH, inorganic phosphate, and antifungal drugs. We examined genes with at least four putative introns whose transcriptional level responded to these effectors. We showed that the intron retention levels of genes encoding asparagine synthetase 2, C6‐zinc finger regulator (fluffy), and a farnesyltransferase respond to amphotericin B, ketoconazole, and other effectors. In general, the assayed antifungals promoted the disruption of the structural domains of these proteins probably leading to their inactivation, which emphasize the complexity of the metabolic modulation exerted by antifungal signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niege S Mendes
- Department of Genetics Ribeirão Preto Medical School University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil
| | - Patricia M Silva
- Department of Genetics Ribeirão Preto Medical School University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil
| | - Rafael Silva-Rocha
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology Ribeirão Preto Medical School University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil
| | - Nilce M Martinez-Rossi
- Department of Genetics Ribeirão Preto Medical School University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil
| | - Antonio Rossi
- Department of Genetics Ribeirão Preto Medical School University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil
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Guha TK, Hausner G. Using Group II Introns for Attenuating the In Vitro and In Vivo Expression of a Homing Endonuclease. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150097. [PMID: 26909494 PMCID: PMC4801052 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In Chaetomium thermophilum (DSM 1495) within the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) small ribosomal subunit (rns) gene a group IIA1 intron interrupts an open reading frame (ORF) encoded within a group I intron (mS1247). This arrangement offers the opportunity to examine if the nested group II intron could be utilized as a regulatory element for the expression of the homing endonuclease (HEase). Constructs were generated where the codon-optimized ORF was interrupted with either the native group IIA1 intron or a group IIB type intron. This study showed that the expression of the HEase (in vivo) in Escherichia coli can be regulated by manipulating the splicing efficiency of the HEase ORF-embedded group II introns. Exogenous magnesium chloride (MgCl2) stimulated the expression of a functional HEase but the addition of cobalt chloride (CoCl2) to growth media antagonized the expression of HEase activity. Ultimately the ability to attenuate HEase activity might be useful in precision genome engineering, minimizing off target activities, or where pathways have to be altered during a specific growth phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuhin Kumar Guha
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Georg Hausner
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- * E-mail:
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