1
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Kim S, Tan S, Ku J, Widowati TA, Ku D, Lee K, You K, Kim Y. RNA 5-methylcytosine marks mitochondrial double-stranded RNAs for degradation and cytosolic release. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2935-2948.e7. [PMID: 39019044 PMCID: PMC11316625 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondria are essential regulators of innate immunity. They generate long mitochondrial double-stranded RNAs (mt-dsRNAs) and release them into the cytosol to trigger an immune response under pathological stress conditions. Yet the regulation of these self-immunogenic RNAs remains largely unknown. Here, we employ CRISPR screening on mitochondrial RNA (mtRNA)-binding proteins and identify NOP2/Sun RNA methyltransferase 4 (NSUN4) as a key regulator of mt-dsRNA expression in human cells. We find that NSUN4 induces 5-methylcytosine (m5C) modification on mtRNAs, especially on the termini of light-strand long noncoding RNAs. These m5C-modified RNAs are recognized by complement C1q-binding protein (C1QBP), which recruits polyribonucleotide nucleotidyltransferase to facilitate RNA turnover. Suppression of NSUN4 or C1QBP results in increased mt-dsRNA expression, while C1QBP deficiency also leads to increased cytosolic mt-dsRNAs and subsequent immune activation. Collectively, our study unveils the mechanism underlying the selective degradation of light-strand mtRNAs and establishes a molecular mark for mtRNA decay and cytosolic release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Stephanie Tan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jayoung Ku
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Tria Asri Widowati
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Doyeong Ku
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Keonyong Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwontae You
- Xaira Therapeutics, Foster City, CA 94404, USA
| | - Yoosik Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Engineering Biology, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; KAIST Institute for BioCentury, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology (KIHST), KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Kuhle B, Chen Q, Schimmel P. tRNA renovatio: Rebirth through fragmentation. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3953-3971. [PMID: 37802077 PMCID: PMC10841463 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.09.016] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
tRNA function is based on unique structures that enable mRNA decoding using anticodon trinucleotides. These structures interact with specific aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and ribosomes using 3D shape and sequence signatures. Beyond translation, tRNAs serve as versatile signaling molecules interacting with other RNAs and proteins. Through evolutionary processes, tRNA fragmentation emerges as not merely random degradation but an act of recreation, generating specific shorter molecules called tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs). These tsRNAs exploit their linear sequences and newly arranged 3D structures for unexpected biological functions, epitomizing the tRNA "renovatio" (from Latin, meaning renewal, renovation, and rebirth). Emerging methods to uncover full tRNA/tsRNA sequences and modifications, combined with techniques to study RNA structures and to integrate AI-powered predictions, will enable comprehensive investigations of tRNA fragmentation products and new interaction potentials in relation to their biological functions. We anticipate that these directions will herald a new era for understanding biological complexity and advancing pharmaceutical engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Kuhle
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Qi Chen
- Molecular Medicine Program, Department of Human Genetics, and Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Paul Schimmel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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3
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Biela A, Hammermeister A, Kaczmarczyk I, Walczak M, Koziej L, Lin TY, Glatt S. The diverse structural modes of tRNA binding and recognition. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104966. [PMID: 37380076 PMCID: PMC10424219 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
tRNAs are short noncoding RNAs responsible for decoding mRNA codon triplets, delivering correct amino acids to the ribosome, and mediating polypeptide chain formation. Due to their key roles during translation, tRNAs have a highly conserved shape and large sets of tRNAs are present in all living organisms. Regardless of sequence variability, all tRNAs fold into a relatively rigid three-dimensional L-shaped structure. The conserved tertiary organization of canonical tRNA arises through the formation of two orthogonal helices, consisting of the acceptor and anticodon domains. Both elements fold independently to stabilize the overall structure of tRNAs through intramolecular interactions between the D- and T-arm. During tRNA maturation, different modifying enzymes posttranscriptionally attach chemical groups to specific nucleotides, which not only affect translation elongation rates but also restrict local folding processes and confer local flexibility when required. The characteristic structural features of tRNAs are also employed by various maturation factors and modification enzymes to assure the selection, recognition, and positioning of specific sites within the substrate tRNAs. The cellular functional repertoire of tRNAs continues to extend well beyond their role in translation, partly, due to the expanding pool of tRNA-derived fragments. Here, we aim to summarize the most recent developments in the field to understand how three-dimensional structure affects the canonical and noncanonical functions of tRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Biela
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Igor Kaczmarczyk
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marta Walczak
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Lukasz Koziej
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ting-Yu Lin
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Sebastian Glatt
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
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4
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Chen AY, Owens MC, Liu KF. Coordination of RNA modifications in the brain and beyond. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:2737-2749. [PMID: 37138184 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02083-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression regulation is a critical process throughout the body, especially in the nervous system. One mechanism by which biological systems regulate gene expression is via enzyme-mediated RNA modifications, also known as epitranscriptomic regulation. RNA modifications, which have been found on nearly all RNA species across all domains of life, are chemically diverse covalent modifications of RNA nucleotides and represent a robust and rapid mechanism for the regulation of gene expression. Although numerous studies have been conducted regarding the impact that single modifications in single RNA molecules have on gene expression, emerging evidence highlights potential crosstalk between and coordination of modifications across RNA species. These potential coordination axes of RNA modifications have emerged as a new direction in the field of epitranscriptomic research. In this review, we will highlight several examples of gene regulation via RNA modification in the nervous system, followed by a summary of the current state of the field of RNA modification coordination axes. In doing so, we aim to inspire the field to gain a deeper understanding of the roles of RNA modifications and coordination of these modifications in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Yulin Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, 19081, USA
| | - Michael C Owens
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Graduate Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kathy Fange Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Graduate Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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5
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Zagrovic B, Adlhart M, Kapral TH. Coding From Binding? Molecular Interactions at the Heart of Translation. Annu Rev Biophys 2023; 52:69-89. [PMID: 36626765 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-090622-102329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism and the evolution of DNA replication and transcription, the key elements of the central dogma of biology, are fundamentally well explained by the physicochemical complementarity between strands of nucleic acids. However, the determinants that have shaped the third part of the dogma-the process of biological translation and the universal genetic code-remain unclear. We review and seek parallels between different proposals that view the evolution of translation through the prism of weak, noncovalent interactions between biological macromolecules. In particular, we focus on a recent proposal that there exists a hitherto unrecognized complementarity at the heart of biology, that between messenger RNA coding regions and the proteins that they encode, especially if the two are unstructured. Reflecting the idea that the genetic code evolved from intrinsic binding propensities between nucleotides and amino acids, this proposal promises to forge a link between the distant past and the present of biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojan Zagrovic
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs & University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria;
| | - Marlene Adlhart
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs & University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria;
| | - Thomas H Kapral
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs & University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria;
- Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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6
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Huang R, Yamamoto T, Nakata E, Ozaki T, Kurozumi K, Wei F, Tomizawa K, Fujimura A. CDKAL1 Drives the Maintenance of Cancer Stem-Like Cells by Assembling the eIF4F Translation Initiation Complex. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206542. [PMID: 36786012 PMCID: PMC10131790 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) have a unique translation mode, but little is understood about the process of elongation, especially the contribution of tRNA modifications to the maintenance of CSCs properties. Here, it is reported that, contrary to the initial aim, a tRNA-modifying methylthiotransferase CDKAL1 promotes CSC-factor SALL2 synthesis by assembling the eIF4F translation initiation complex. CDKAL1 expression is upregulated in patients with worse prognoses and is essential for maintaining CSCs in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and common cancers. Translatome analysis reveals that a group of mRNAs whose translation is CDKAL1-dependent contains cytosine-rich sequences in the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR). Mechanistically, CDKAL1 promotes the translation of such mRNAs by organizing the eIF4F translation initiation complex. This complex formation does not require the enzyme activity of CDKAL1 but requires only the NH2 -terminus domain of CDKAL1. Furthermore, sites in CDKAL1 essential for forming the eIF4F complex are identified and discovered candidate inhibitors of CDKAL1-dependent translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongsheng Huang
- Department of Cellular PhysiologyOkayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical SciencesOkayamaOkayama700‐8558Japan
| | - Takahiro Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular PhysiologyKumamoto University Faculty of Life SciencesKumamotoKumamoto860‐0811Japan
| | - Eiji Nakata
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryOkayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical SciencesOkayamaOkayama700‐8558Japan
| | - Toshifumi Ozaki
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryOkayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical SciencesOkayamaOkayama700‐8558Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Kurozumi
- Department of NeurosurgeryHamamatsu University School of MedicineHamamatsuShizuoka431‐3192Japan
| | - Fanyan Wei
- Department of Modomics Biology and MedicineInstitute of Development, Aging and CancerTohoku UniversitySendaiMiyagi980‐8575Japan
| | - Kazuhito Tomizawa
- Department of Molecular PhysiologyKumamoto University Faculty of Life SciencesKumamotoKumamoto860‐0811Japan
| | - Atsushi Fujimura
- Department of Cellular PhysiologyOkayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical SciencesOkayamaOkayama700‐8558Japan
- Neutron Therapy Research CenterOkayama UniversityOkayamaOkayama700‐8558Japan
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7
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Levi O, Mallik M, Arava YS. ThrRS-Mediated Translation Regulation of the RNA Polymerase III Subunit RPC10 Occurs through an Element with Similarity to Cognate tRNA ASL and Affects tRNA Levels. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:462. [PMID: 36833389 PMCID: PMC9956033 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are a well-studied family of enzymes with a canonical role in charging tRNAs with a specific amino acid. These proteins appear to also have non-canonical roles, including post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA expression. Many aaRSs were found to bind mRNAs and regulate their translation into proteins. However, the mRNA targets, mechanism of interaction, and regulatory consequences of this binding are not fully resolved. Here, we focused on yeast cytosolic threonine tRNA synthetase (ThrRS) to decipher its impact on mRNA binding. Affinity purification of ThrRS with its associated mRNAs followed by transcriptome analysis revealed a preference for mRNAs encoding RNA polymerase subunits. An mRNA that was significantly bound compared to all others was the mRNA encoding RPC10, a small subunit of RNA polymerase III. Structural modeling suggested that this mRNA includes a stem-loop element that is similar to the anti-codon stem loop (ASL) structure of ThrRS cognate tRNA (tRNAThr). We introduced random mutations within this element and found that almost every change from the normal sequence leads to reduced binding by ThrRS. Furthermore, point mutations at six key positions that abolish the predicted ASL-like structure showed a significant decrease in ThrRS binding with a decrease in RPC10 protein levels. Concomitantly, tRNAThr levels were reduced in the mutated strain. These data suggest a novel regulatory mechanism in which cellular tRNA levels are regulated through a mimicking element within an RNA polymerase III subunit in a manner that involves the tRNA cognate aaRS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yoav S. Arava
- Faculty of Biology, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
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8
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Giegé R, Eriani G. The tRNA identity landscape for aminoacylation and beyond. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1528-1570. [PMID: 36744444 PMCID: PMC9976931 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
tRNAs are key partners in ribosome-dependent protein synthesis. This process is highly dependent on the fidelity of tRNA aminoacylation by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and relies primarily on sets of identities within tRNA molecules composed of determinants and antideterminants preventing mischarging by non-cognate synthetases. Such identity sets were discovered in the tRNAs of a few model organisms, and their properties were generalized as universal identity rules. Since then, the panel of identity elements governing the accuracy of tRNA aminoacylation has expanded considerably, but the increasing number of reported functional idiosyncrasies has led to some confusion. In parallel, the description of other processes involving tRNAs, often well beyond aminoacylation, has progressed considerably, greatly expanding their interactome and uncovering multiple novel identities on the same tRNA molecule. This review highlights key findings on the mechanistics and evolution of tRNA and tRNA-like identities. In addition, new methods and their results for searching sets of multiple identities on a single tRNA are discussed. Taken together, this knowledge shows that a comprehensive understanding of the functional role of individual and collective nucleotide identity sets in tRNA molecules is needed for medical, biotechnological and other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Giegé
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Richard Giegé.
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9
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FMRP activity and control of Csw/SHP2 translation regulate MAPK-dependent synaptic transmission. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3001969. [PMID: 36701299 PMCID: PMC9879533 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Noonan syndrome (NS) and NS with multiple lentigines (NSML) cognitive dysfunction are linked to SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP2) gain-of-function (GoF) and loss-of-function (LoF), respectively. In Drosophila disease models, we find both SHP2 mutations from human patients and corkscrew (csw) homolog LoF/GoF elevate glutamatergic transmission. Cell-targeted RNAi and neurotransmitter release analyses reveal a presynaptic requirement. Consistently, all mutants exhibit reduced synaptic depression during high-frequency stimulation. Both LoF and GoF mutants also show impaired synaptic plasticity, including reduced facilitation, augmentation, and post-tetanic potentiation. NS/NSML diseases are characterized by elevated MAPK/ERK signaling, and drugs suppressing this signaling restore normal neurotransmission in mutants. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is likewise characterized by elevated MAPK/ERK signaling. Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) binds csw mRNA and neuronal Csw protein is elevated in Drosophila fragile X mental retardation 1 (dfmr1) nulls. Moreover, phosphorylated ERK (pERK) is increased in dfmr1 and csw null presynaptic boutons. We find presynaptic pERK activation in response to stimulation is reduced in dfmr1 and csw nulls. Trans-heterozygous csw/+; dfmr1/+ recapitulate elevated presynaptic pERK activation and function, showing FMRP and Csw/SHP2 act within the same signaling pathway. Thus, a FMRP and SHP2 MAPK/ERK regulative mechanism controls basal and activity-dependent neurotransmission strength.
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10
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Forrest ME, Meyer AP, Laureano Figueroa SM, Antonellis A. A missense, loss-of-function YARS1 variant in a patient with proximal-predominant motor neuropathy. Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud 2022; 8:a006246. [PMID: 36307205 PMCID: PMC9808560 DOI: 10.1101/mcs.a006246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are essential enzymes with a critical role in protein synthesis: charging tRNA molecules with cognate amino acids. Heterozygosity for variants in five genes (AARS1, GARS1, HARS1, WARS1, and YARS1) encoding cytoplasmic, dimeric ARSs have been associated with autosomal dominant neurological phenotypes, including axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Missense variants in the catalytic domain of YARS1 were previously linked to dominant intermediate CMT type C (DI-CMTC). Here, we report a patient with a missense variant of unknown significance predicted to modify residue 308 in the anticodon binding domain of YARS1 (p.Asp308Tyr). Interestingly, p.Asp308Tyr is associated with proximal-predominant motor neuropathy, which has not been reported in patients with pathogenic YARS1 variants. We demonstrate that this allele causes a loss-of-function effect in yeast complementation assays when modeled in YARS1 and the yeast ortholog TYS1; structural modeling of this variant further supports a loss-of-function effect. Taken together, this study raises the possibility that certain YARS1 variants cause proximal-prominent motor neuropathy and indicates that patients with this phenotype should be screened for genetic lesions in YARS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Forrest
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Alayne P Meyer
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | | | - Anthony Antonellis
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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11
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Ganesh RB, Maerkl SJ. Biochemistry of Aminoacyl tRNA Synthetase and tRNAs and Their Engineering for Cell-Free and Synthetic Cell Applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:918659. [PMID: 35845409 PMCID: PMC9283866 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.918659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-free biology is increasingly utilized for engineering biological systems, incorporating novel functionality, and circumventing many of the complications associated with cells. The central dogma describes the information flow in biology consisting of transcription and translation steps to decode genetic information. Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (AARSs) and tRNAs are key components involved in translation and thus protein synthesis. This review provides information on AARSs and tRNA biochemistry, their role in the translation process, summarizes progress in cell-free engineering of tRNAs and AARSs, and discusses prospects and challenges lying ahead in cell-free engineering.
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12
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Wu S, Zheng L, Hei Z, Zhou JB, Li G, Li P, Wang J, Ali H, Zhou XL, Wang J, Fang P. Human lysyl-tRNA synthetase evolves a dynamic structure that can be stabilized by forming complex. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:128. [PMID: 35133502 PMCID: PMC11072160 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04158-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The evolutionary necessity of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases being associated into complex is unknown. Human lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS) is one component of the multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC), which is not only critical for protein translation but also involved in multiple cellular pathways such as immune response, cell migration, etc. Here, combined with crystallography, CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, biochemistry, and cell biology analyses, we show that the structures of LysRSs from metazoan are more dynamic than those from single-celled organisms. Without the presence of MSC scaffold proteins, such as aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex-interacting multifunctional protein 2 (AIMP2), human LysRS is free from the MSC. The interaction with AIMP2 stabilizes the closed conformation of LysRS, thereby protects the essential aminoacylation activity under stressed conditions. Deleting AIMP2 from the human embryonic kidney 293 cells leads to retardation in cell growth in nutrient deficient mediums. Together, these results suggest that the evolutionary emergence of the MSC in metazoan might be to protect the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase components from being modified or recruited for use in other cellular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Li Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Sub-lane Xiangshan, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Zhoufei Hei
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jing-Bo Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Guang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Peifeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiayuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hamid Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Xiao-Long Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Sub-lane Xiangshan, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
| | - Pengfei Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Sub-lane Xiangshan, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
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13
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Feng Y, Tang K, Lai Q, Liang J, Feng M, Zhou ZW, Cui H, Du X, Zhang H, Sun L. The Landscape of Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases Involved in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection. Front Physiol 2022; 12:818297. [PMID: 35153822 PMCID: PMC8826553 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.818297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are essential enzymes in translation by linking amino acids onto their cognate tRNAs during protein synthesis. During evolution, aaRSs develop numerous non-canonical functions that expand the roles of aaRSs in eukaryotic organisms. Although aaRSs have been implicated in viral infection, the function of aaRSs during infections with coronaviruses (CoVs) remains unclear. Here, we analyzed the data from transcriptomic and proteomic database on human cytoplasmic (cyto) and mitochondrial (mt) aaRSs across infections with three highly pathogenic human CoVs, with a particular focus on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We found an overall downregulation of aaRSs at mRNA levels, while the protein levels of some mt-aaRSs and the phosphorylation of certain aaRSs were increased in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Strikingly, interaction network between SARS-CoV-2 and human aaRSs displayed a strong involvement of mt-aaRSs. Further co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) experiments confirmed the physical interaction between SARS-CoV-2 M protein and TARS2. In addition, we identified the intermediate nodes and potential pathways involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study provides an unbiased, overarching perspective on the correlation between aaRSs and SARS-CoV-2. More importantly, this work identifies TARS2, HARS2, and EARS2 as potential key factors involved in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajuan Feng
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kang Tang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qi Lai
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingxian Liang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Min Feng
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Zhong-Wei Zhou
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haissi Cui
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Xiangjun Du
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Han Zhang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
- *Correspondence: Han Zhang,
| | - Litao Sun
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Litao Sun,
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14
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Antika TR, Chrestella DJ, Ivanesthi IR, Rida G, Chen KY, Liu FG, Lee YC, Chen YW, Tseng YK, Wang CC. OUP accepted manuscript. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:2190-2200. [PMID: 35100402 PMCID: PMC8887476 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike many other aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, alanyl-tRNA synthetase (AlaRS) retains a conserved prototype structure throughout biology. While Caenorhabditis elegans cytoplasmic AlaRS (CeAlaRSc) retains the prototype structure, its mitochondrial counterpart (CeAlaRSm) contains only a residual C-terminal domain (C-Ala). We demonstrated herein that the C-Ala domain from CeAlaRSc robustly binds both tRNA and DNA. It bound different tRNAs but preferred tRNAAla. Deletion of this domain from CeAlaRSc sharply reduced its aminoacylation activity, while fusion of this domain to CeAlaRSm selectively and distinctly enhanced its aminoacylation activity toward the elbow-containing (or L-shaped) tRNAAla. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CeAlaRSm once possessed the C-Ala domain but later lost most of it during evolution, perhaps in response to the deletion of the T-arm (part of the elbow) from its cognate tRNA. This study underscores the evolutionary gain of C-Ala for docking AlaRS to the L-shaped tRNAAla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Titi Rindi Antika
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Zhongli District, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Dea Jolie Chrestella
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Zhongli District, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Indira Rizqita Ivanesthi
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Zhongli District, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Gita Riswana Nawung Rida
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Zhongli District, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yu Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Zhongli District, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Guo Liu
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Zhongli District, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chung Lee
- Department of Neurology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Beitou District, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Chen
- Department of Neurology, Landseed International Hospital, Pingzhen District, Taoyuan 32449, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Kuan Tseng
- Graduate Institute of Statistics, National Central University, Zhongli District, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chia Wang
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +886 3 426 0840; Fax: +886 3 422 8482;
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15
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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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16
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Morant L, Erfurth ML, Jordanova A. Drosophila Models for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy Related to Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1519. [PMID: 34680913 PMCID: PMC8536177 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) represent the largest cluster of proteins implicated in Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy (CMT), the most common neuromuscular disorder. Dominant mutations in six aaRS cause different axonal CMT subtypes with common clinical characteristics, including progressive distal muscle weakness and wasting, impaired sensory modalities, gait problems and skeletal deformities. These clinical manifestations are caused by "dying back" axonal degeneration of the longest peripheral sensory and motor neurons. Surprisingly, loss of aminoacylation activity is not a prerequisite for CMT to occur, suggesting a gain-of-function disease mechanism. Here, we present the Drosophila melanogaster disease models that have been developed to understand the molecular pathway(s) underlying GARS1- and YARS1-associated CMT etiology. Expression of dominant CMT mutations in these aaRSs induced comparable neurodegenerative phenotypes, both in larvae and adult animals. Interestingly, recent data suggests that shared molecular pathways, such as dysregulation of global protein synthesis, might play a role in disease pathology. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the important function of nuclear YARS1 in transcriptional regulation and the binding properties of mutant GARS1 are also conserved and can be studied in D. melanogaster in the context of CMT. Taken together, the fly has emerged as a faithful companion model for cellular and molecular studies of aaRS-CMT that also enables in vivo investigation of candidate CMT drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Morant
- Molecular Neurogenomics Group, VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium; (L.M.); (M.-L.E.)
| | - Maria-Luise Erfurth
- Molecular Neurogenomics Group, VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium; (L.M.); (M.-L.E.)
| | - Albena Jordanova
- Molecular Neurogenomics Group, VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium; (L.M.); (M.-L.E.)
- Molecular Medicine Center, Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University-Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria
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17
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Mao XL, Li ZH, Huang MH, Wang JT, Zhou JB, Li QR, Xu H, Wang XJ, Zhou XL. Mutually exclusive substrate selection strategy by human m3C RNA transferases METTL2A and METTL6. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:8309-8323. [PMID: 34268557 PMCID: PMC8373065 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
tRNAs harbor the most diverse posttranscriptional modifications. The 3-methylcytidine (m3C) is widely distributed at position C32 (m3C32) of eukaryotic tRNAThr and tRNASer species. m3C32 is decorated by the single methyltransferase Trm140 in budding yeasts; however, two (Trm140 and Trm141 in fission yeasts) or three enzymes (METTL2A, METTL2B and METTL6 in mammals) are involved in its biogenesis. The rationale for the existence of multiple m3C32 methyltransferases and their substrate discrimination mechanism is hitherto unknown. Here, we revealed that both METTL2A and METTL2B are expressed in vivo. We purified human METTL2A, METTL2B, and METTL6 to high homogeneity. We successfully reconstituted m3C32 modification activity for tRNAThr by METT2A and for tRNASer(GCU) by METTL6, assisted by seryl-tRNA synthetase (SerRS) in vitro. Compared with METTL2A, METTL2B exhibited dramatically lower activity in vitro. Both G35 and t6A at position 37 (t6A37) are necessary but insufficient prerequisites for tRNAThr m3C32 formation, while the anticodon loop and the long variable arm, but not t6A37, are key determinants for tRNASer(GCU) m3C32 biogenesis, likely being recognized synergistically by METTL6 and SerRS, respectively. Finally, we proposed a mutually exclusive substrate selection model to ensure correct discrimination among multiple tRNAs by multiple m3C32 methyltransferases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ling Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zi-Han Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Meng-Han Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jin-Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jing-Bo Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Qing-Run Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Hong Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 910 Heng Shan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xi-Jin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1665 Kong Jiang Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiao-Long Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
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18
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Gao W, Jones TA, Rivas E. Discovery of 17 conserved structural RNAs in fungi. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:6128-6143. [PMID: 34086938 PMCID: PMC8216456 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many non-coding RNAs with known functions are structurally conserved: their intramolecular secondary and tertiary interactions are maintained across evolutionary time. Consequently, the presence of conserved structure in multiple sequence alignments can be used to identify candidate functional non-coding RNAs. Here, we present a bioinformatics method that couples iterative homology search with covariation analysis to assess whether a genomic region has evidence of conserved RNA structure. We used this method to examine all unannotated regions of five well-studied fungal genomes (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, Neurospora crassa, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe). We identified 17 novel structurally conserved non-coding RNA candidates, which include four H/ACA box small nucleolar RNAs, four intergenic RNAs and nine RNA structures located within the introns and untranslated regions (UTRs) of mRNAs. For the two structures in the 3' UTRs of the metabolic genes GLY1 and MET13, we performed experiments that provide evidence against them being eukaryotic riboswitches.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Gao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA
| | - Thomas A Jones
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA
| | - Elena Rivas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA
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19
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Wu S, Li X, Wang G. tRNA-like structures and their functions. FEBS J 2021; 289:5089-5099. [PMID: 34117728 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
tRNA-like structures (TLSs) were first identified in the RNA genomes of turnip yellow mosaic virus. Since then, TLSs have been found in many other species including mammals, and the RNAs harboring these structures range from viral genomic RNAs to mRNAs and noncoding RNAs. Some progress has also been made on understanding their functions that include regulation of RNA replication, translation enhancement, RNA-protein interaction, and more. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the regulations and functions of these TLSs. Possible future directions of the field are also briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sipeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Fujian, China
| | - Xiang Li
- State Key Laboratory for Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Fujian, China
| | - Geng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Fujian, China
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20
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Levi O, Arava YS. RNA modifications as a common denominator between tRNA and mRNA. Curr Genet 2021; 67:545-551. [PMID: 33683402 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-021-01168-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies underscore RNA modifications as a novel mechanism to coordinate expression and function of different genes. While modifications on the sugar or base moieties of tRNA are well known, their roles in mRNA regulation are only starting to emerge. Interestingly, some modifications are present in both tRNA and mRNA, and here we discuss the functional significance of these common features. We describe key modifications that are present in both RNA types, elaborate on proteins that interact with them, and indicate recent works that identify roles in communicating tRNA processes and mRNA regulation. We propose that as tools are developed, the shortlist of features that are common between types of RNA will greatly expand and proteins that interact with them will be identified. In conclusion, the presence of the same modification in both RNA types provides an intersect between tRNA processes and mRNA regulation and implies a novel mechanism for connecting diverse cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofri Levi
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yoav S Arava
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003, Haifa, Israel.
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21
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Jin X, Zhang Z, Nie Z, Wang C, Meng F, Yi Q, Chen M, Sun J, Zou J, Jiang P, Guan MX. An animal model for mitochondrial tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase deficiency reveals links between oxidative phosphorylation and retinal function. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100437. [PMID: 33610547 PMCID: PMC8010715 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria maintain a distinct pool of ribosomal machinery, including tRNAs and tRNAs activating enzymes, such as mitochondrial tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (YARS2). Mutations in YARS2, which typically lead to the impairment of mitochondrial protein synthesis, have been linked to an array of human diseases including optic neuropathy. However, the lack of YARS2 mutation animal model makes us difficult to elucidate the pathophysiology underlying YARS2 deficiency. To explore this system, we generated YARS2 knockout (KO) HeLa cells and zebrafish using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We observed the aberrant tRNATyr aminoacylation overall and reductions in the levels in mitochondrion- and nucleus-encoding subunits of oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS), which were especially pronounced effects in the subunits of complex I and complex IV. These deficiencies manifested the decreased levels of intact supercomplexes overall. Immunoprecipitation assays showed that YARS2 bound to specific subunits of complex I and complex IV, suggesting the posttranslational stabilization of OXPHOS. Furthermore, YARS2 ablation caused defects in the stability and activities of OXPHOS complexes. These biochemical defects could be rescued by the overexpression of YARS2 cDNA in the YARS2KO cells. In zebrafish, the yars2KO larva conferred deficient COX activities in the retina, abnormal mitochondrial morphology, and numbers in the photoreceptor and retinal ganglion cells. The zebrafish further exhibited the retinal defects affecting both rods and cones. Vision defects in yars2KO zebrafish recapitulated the clinical phenotypes in the optic neuropathy patients carrying the YARS2 mutations. Our findings highlighted the critical role of YARS2 in the stability and activity of OXPHOS and its pathological consequence in vision impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofen Jin
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education of PRC, The Woman's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and National Clinic Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zengming Zhang
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhipeng Nie
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chenghui Wang
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feilong Meng
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and National Clinic Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiuzi Yi
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengquan Chen
- Department of Lab Medicine, Wenzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiji Sun
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian Zou
- Insitute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pingping Jiang
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and National Clinic Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic & Developmental Disorders, Zhejiang Univesity, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Min-Xin Guan
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education of PRC, The Woman's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and National Clinic Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic & Developmental Disorders, Zhejiang Univesity, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Division of Mitochondrial Biomedicine, Joint Institute of Genetics and Genome Medicine between Zhejiang University and University of Toronto, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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22
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Levi O, Arava YS. Pseudouridine-mediated translation control of mRNA by methionine aminoacyl tRNA synthetase. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:432-443. [PMID: 33305314 PMCID: PMC7797078 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Modification of nucleotides within an mRNA emerges as a key path for gene expression regulation. Pseudouridine is one of the most common RNA modifications; however, only a few mRNA modifiers have been identified to date, and no one mRNA pseudouridine reader is known. Here, we applied a novel genome-wide approach to identify mRNA regions that are bound by yeast methionine aminoacyl tRNAMet synthetase (MetRS). We found a clear enrichment to regions that were previously described to contain pseudouridine (Ψ). Follow-up in vitro and in vivo analyses on a prime target (position 1074 within YEF3 mRNA) demonstrated the importance of pseudouridine for MetRS binding. Furthermore, polysomal and protein analyses revealed that Ψ1074 mediates translation. Modification of this site occurs presumably by Pus6, a pseudouridine synthetase known to modify MetRS cognate tRNA. Consistently, the deletion of Pus6 leads to a decrease in MetRS association with both tRNAMet and YEF3 mRNA. Furthermore, while global protein synthesis decreases in pus6Δ, translation of YEF3 increases. Together, our data imply that Pus6 ‘writes’ modifications on tRNA and mRNA, and both types of RNAs are ‘read’ by MetRS for translation regulation purposes. This represents a novel integrated path for writing and reading modifications on both tRNA and mRNA, which may lead to coordination between global and gene-specific translational responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofri Levi
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Yoav S Arava
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
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23
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Mitchell SF. In Vivo Cross-Linking Followed by polyA Enrichment to Identify Yeast mRNA Binding Proteins. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2209:235-249. [PMID: 33201473 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0935-4_15] [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] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
mRNA binding proteins regulate gene expression by controlling the processing, localization, decay, and translation of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). To fully understand these mechanisms of posttranscriptional gene regulation, it is necessary to identify the complete set of mRNA binding proteins. In recent years, several assays have been developed to accomplish this goal in a wide variety of organisms. This work describes a method for the systematic identification of mRNA binding proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This method applies in vivo UV cross-linking, affinity pull-down of polyA(+) mRNAs, and analysis by mass spectrometry to identify proteins that directly bind to mRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah F Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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24
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Roy B, Granas D, Bragg F, Cher JAY, White MA, Stormo GD. Autoregulation of yeast ribosomal proteins discovered by efficient search for feedback regulation. Commun Biol 2020; 3:761. [PMID: 33311538 PMCID: PMC7732827 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01494-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional autoregulation of gene expression is common in bacteria but many fewer examples are known in eukaryotes. We used the yeast collection of genes fused to GFP as a rapid screen for examples of feedback regulation in ribosomal proteins by overexpressing a non-regulatable version of a gene and observing the effects on the expression of the GFP-fused version. We tested 95 ribosomal protein genes and found a wide continuum of effects, with 30% showing at least a 3-fold reduction in expression. Two genes, RPS22B and RPL1B, showed over a 10-fold repression. In both cases the cis-regulatory segment resides in the 5’ UTR of the gene as shown by placing that segment of the mRNA upstream of GFP alone and demonstrating it is sufficient to cause repression of GFP when the protein is over-expressed. Further analyses showed that the intron in the 5’ UTR of RPS22B is required for regulation, presumably because the protein inhibits splicing that is necessary for translation. The 5’ UTR of RPL1B contains a sequence and structure motif that is conserved in the binding sites of Rpl1 orthologs from bacteria to mammals, and mutations within the motif eliminate repression. Here, the authors screen for feedback regulation of ribosomal proteins by overexpressing a non- regulatable version of a gene and observing its effects on the expression of the GFP-fused version. They find that 30% show at least a 3-fold reduction in expression and two genes show a 10-fold reduction with the regulatory site being in the 5’ untranslated region of the gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basab Roy
- Department of Genetics and Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - David Granas
- Department of Genetics and Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Fredrick Bragg
- Department of Genetics and Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jonathan A Y Cher
- Department of Genetics and Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Michael A White
- Department of Genetics and Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Gary D Stormo
- Department of Genetics and Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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25
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Mukai T. Rational Design of Aptamer-Tagged tRNAs. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207793. [PMID: 33096801 PMCID: PMC7590224 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of the genetic code system is limited by the difficulty in creating new tRNA structures. Here, I developed translationally active tRNA variants tagged with a small hairpin RNA aptamer, using Escherichia coli reporter assay systems. As the tRNA chassis for engineering, I employed amber suppressor variants of allo-tRNAs having the 9/3 composition of the 12-base pair amino-acid acceptor branch as well as a long variable arm (V-arm). Although their V-arm is a strong binding site for seryl-tRNA synthetase (SerRS), insertion of a bulge nucleotide in the V-arm stem region prevented allo-tRNA molecules from being charged by SerRS with serine. The SerRS-rejecting allo-tRNA chassis were engineered to have another amino-acid identity of either alanine, tyrosine, or histidine. The tip of the V-arms was replaced with diverse hairpin RNA aptamers, which were recognized by their cognate proteins expressed in E. coli. A high-affinity interaction led to the sequestration of allo-tRNA molecules, while a moderate-affinity aptamer moiety recruited histidyl-tRNA synthetase variants fused with the cognate protein domain. The new design principle for tRNA-aptamer fusions will enhance radical and dynamic manipulation of the genetic code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Mukai
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8501, Japan
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26
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Lu X, Huang J, Wu S, Zheng Q, Liu P, Feng H, Su X, Fu H, Xi Q, Wang G. The tRNA-like small noncoding RNA mascRNA promotes global protein translation. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e49684. [PMID: 33073493 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201949684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
mascRNA is a small cytoplasmic RNA derived from the lncRNA MALAT1. After being processed by the tRNA processing enzymes RNase P and RNase Z, mascRNA undergoes CCA addition like tRNAs and folds into a tRNA-like cloverleaf structure. While MALAT1 functions in multiple cellular processes, the role of mascRNA was largely unknown. Here, we show that mascRNA binds directly to the multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC) component glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (QARS). mascRNA promotes global protein translation and cell proliferation by positively regulating QARS protein levels. Our results uncover a role of mascRNA that is independent of MALAT1, but could be part of the molecular mechanism of MALAT1's function in cancer, and provide a paradigm for understanding tRNA-like structures in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinping Lu
- MOE Key laboratory of Bioinformatics, Cell Biology and Development Center, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinliang Huang
- MOE Key laboratory of Bioinformatics, Cell Biology and Development Center, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Sipeng Wu
- State Key laboratory for Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Fujian, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- MOE Key laboratory of Bioinformatics, Cell Biology and Development Center, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Peipei Liu
- MOE Key laboratory of Bioinformatics, Cell Biology and Development Center, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Huimin Feng
- State Key laboratory for Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaoqing Su
- State Key laboratory for Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Fujian, China
| | - Haipeng Fu
- MOE Key laboratory of Bioinformatics, Cell Biology and Development Center, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaoran Xi
- MOE Key laboratory of Bioinformatics, Cell Biology and Development Center, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Geng Wang
- MOE Key laboratory of Bioinformatics, Cell Biology and Development Center, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,State Key laboratory for Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Fujian, China
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27
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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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28
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Levi O, Arava Y. Expanding the CRISPR/Cas9 Toolbox for Gene Engineering in S. cerevisiae. Curr Microbiol 2020; 77:468-478. [PMID: 31901956 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-019-01851-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The yeast S. cerevisiae serves as a model organism for many decades. Numerous molecular tools have been developed throughout the years to engineer its genome. Specifically, homologous recombination protocols allowed gene deletion, replacement and tagging of almost every S. cerevisiae gene, thus enabling mechanistic understanding of various cellular processes. Recently, CRISPR/Cas9-based approaches have been adapted to the yeast system, simplifying the protocols to manipulate this organism. In CRISPR/Cas9 systems, guide-RNA directs a site-specific double-strand DNA cleavage by the Cas9 nuclease. The directed cleavage enhances homologous recombination events, thereby facilitating changes to desired genomic loci. The use of a single vector to express both guide-RNA and Cas9 enzyme may simplify genomic manipulations and was used to introduce double-strand breaks at artificial sites (Anand et al. in Nature 544(7650):377-380, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature22046) or within selection markers (Ryan et al. in Cold Spring Harbor Protoc, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1101/pdb.prot086827). Here, we generalize this approach to demonstrate its utility in modifying natural genomic loci. We devise vectors to perform common genetic manipulations in S. cerevisiae, including gene deletion, single-base mutations, introduction of site-specific polymorphism and tag insertion. Notably, a vector that efficiently cleaves within GFP was generated, allowing replacing a GFP tag with other sequences. This vector may be of utility for replacing any gene tagged with GFP by a sequence of choice. Importantly, we demonstrate the efficiency of chemically synthesized 80-mer homologous DNA as a substrate for recombination, alleviating the need for PCR steps in the procedure. In all presented applications, high efficiency of the expected gene alteration and no other change in the genomic loci were obtained. Overall, this work expands the repertoire of single-plasmid CRISPR/cas9 approaches and provides a facile alternative to manipulate the yeast genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofri Levi
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yoav Arava
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003, Haifa, Israel.
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29
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Zhang X, Kuang X, Cao F, Chen R, Fang Z, Liu W, Shi P, Wang H, Shen Y, Huang Z. Effect of cadmium on mRNA mistranslation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Basic Microbiol 2020; 60:372-379. [PMID: 31912517 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201900495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Although highly accurate molecular processes and various messenger RNA (mRNA) quality control and ribosome proofreading mechanisms are used by organisms to transcribe their genes and maintain the fidelity of genetic information, errors are inherent in all biological systems. Low-level translation errors caused by an imbalance of homologous and nonhomologous amino acids caused by stress conditions are particularly common. Paradoxically, advantageous phenotypic diversity can be generated by such errors in eukaryotes through unknown molecular processes. Here, we found that the significant cadmium-resistant phenotype was correlated with an increased mistranslation rate of the mRNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This phenotypic change was also related to endogenous sulfur amino acid starvation. Compared with the control, the mistranslation rate caused by cadmium was significantly increased (p < .01). With the increase of cysteine contents in medium, the mistranslation rate of WT(BY4742a) decreased significantly (p < .01). This demonstrates that cadmium treatment and sulfur amino acid starvation both can induce translation errors. Although cadmium uptake is independent of the Sul1 transporter, cadmium-induced mRNA mistranslation is dependent on the sulfate uptake of the Sul1p transporter. Furthermore, cadmium-induced translation errors depend on methionine biosynthesis. Taken together, cadmium causes endogenous sulfur starvation, leading to an increase in the mRNA mistranslation, which contributes to the resistance of yeast cells to cadmium. We provide a new pathway mediating the toxicity of cadmium, and we propose that altering mRNA mistranslation may portray a different form of environmental adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhang
- Key Lab of Eco-textile (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Kuang
- Key Lab of Eco-textile (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fangqi Cao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Ranran Chen
- Key Lab of Eco-textile (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijia Fang
- Key Lab of Eco-textile (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenbin Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Handong Wang
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, CAS, Xining, Qinghai Province, China
| | - Yuhu Shen
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, CAS, Xining, Qinghai Province, China
| | - Zhiwei Huang
- Key Lab of Eco-textile (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, China.,Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, CAS, Xining, Qinghai Province, China
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30
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Wang L, Romano MC, Davidson FA. Translational control of gene expression via interacting feedback loops. Phys Rev E 2019; 100:050402. [PMID: 31869996 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.100.050402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Translation is a key step in the synthesis of proteins. Accordingly, cells have evolved an intricate array of control mechanisms to regulate this process. By constructing a multicomponent mathematical framework we uncover how translation may be controlled via interacting feedback loops. Our results reveal that this interplay gives rise to a remarkable range of protein synthesis dynamics, including oscillations, step change, and bistability. This suggests that cells may have recourse to a much richer set of control mechanisms than was previously understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Wang
- Division of Mathematics, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, United Kingdom
| | - M Carmen Romano
- SUPA, Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Biology, Department of Physics, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom and Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, United Kingdom
| | - Fordyce A Davidson
- Division of Mathematics, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, United Kingdom
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31
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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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