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RNA-protein interactions in the ribonucleoprotein T-complexes in a mitochondrial extract from Leishmania tarentolae.

We have investigated protein-RNA interactions and the incorporation of [alpha-32P]UTP into the guide RNA and mRNA components of the 'T-complexes' in a mitochondrial extract from Leishmania tarentolae. The terminal uridylyl transferase-containing complex T-IV is probably involved in the maturation of the 3'-oligo(U) tail of the gRNAs, but the biological function and biochemical nature of the remaining T-complexes is not known. We have found that the relative extent of labeling of the RNA components is dependent on the UTP concentration: at low levels, the main endogenous RNA components labeled are the gRNAs in T-IV; at higher levels, the mRNAs in all of the T-complexes are preferentially labeled. We also show a tentative correlation in the migration pattern of UTP-labeled T-complexes and complexes which bind exogenous labeled RNA. The relative extent of binding to specific complexes is dependent upon the type of RNA. Most of the interactions between the labeled RNAs and proteins can be disrupted by heparin or a large excess of rRNA, but two labeled complexes were resistant to competition. Most of the binding of labeled exogenous gRNA is disrupted by competition with a large excess of rRNA, but predigestion of the extract with micrococcal nuclease and saturation with rRNA uncovered a high affinity complex, which involves at least two proteins interacting with the bound gRNAs. A knowledge of the RNA and protein components may aid in understanding the biological roles of these RNP complexes.

Animals↗

A possible role for the guide RNA U-tail as a specificity determinant in formation of guide RNA-messenger RNA chimeras in mitochondrial extracts of Crithidia fasciculata.

Chimeric g(uide) RNA:pre-mRNA molecules are potential intermediates of the RNA editing process in kinetoplastid mitochondria. We have studied the characteristics of chimeric molecules formed in mitochondrial extracts of the insect trypanosomatid Crithidia fasciculata which had been supplied with synthetic NADH dehydrogenase (ND) subunit-7 gRNA and pre-mRNA variants. The ability of a gRNA to participate in chimera formation in this system depends on the possibility of base pairing with the pre-mRNA via the anchor sequence, but not on the presence of a U-tail or a full-length informational part. Chimeras formed with a specific gRNA:pre-mRNA pair displayed a large variation in length, due to variably sized 3' end truncations of the gRNA moieties and variation in the sites in the pre-mRNA to which the gRNAs were attached. Surprisingly, the presence of a U-tail in the gRNA for a large part determined the specificity of the linkage. In 60% of the cases gRNAs possessing a U-tail of at least one residue were attached to an editing site, whereas 75% of the gRNAs without Us were attached to non-editing sites. Furthermore, the chimera forming activity was greatly stimulated by the addition of ATP but not by AMP-CPP, an ATP-analogue with a non-hydrolyzable alpha-beta phosphate bond. This suggests the involvement in the chimera formation of an RNA ligase.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Distinct differences in the requirements for ribonucleoprotein complex formation on differentially regulated pre-edited mRNAs in Trypanosoma brucei.

Incubation of synthetic pre-edited mRNAs with extracts of Trypanosoma brucei mitochondria results in a family of specific, stable ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes that can be visualized by non-denaturing gel electrophoresis. We compared complexes that form with a substrate corresponding to the ATPase 6 (A6) pre-mRNA 3' region that is edited in both bloodstream and procyclic forms with a substrate corresponding to the 5' end of apocytochrome b (CYb) pre-mRNA that is edited only in procyclic (insect) forms. Four to five complexes are detected with both substrates and are specific since competition with homologous but not heterologous substrates prevents their formation. Formation of the CYb complex, however, is more sensitive to heterologous RNAs. In addition, the A6 substrate is more effective at preventing formation of CYb complexes than the converse. CYb complex formation is also more sensitive to divalent cation and salt concentrations and formation of one A6 component has a temperature optimum of 37 degrees C while that of CYb is 27 degrees C.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Guide RNA molecules not engaged in RNA editing form ribonucleoprotein complexes free of mRNA.

Mitochondrial pre-mRNAs in kinetoplastid organisms undergo uridine additions and deletions after transcription, a phenomenon termed kRNA editing. The reaction involves small, mitochondrial DNA transcripts, so called guide RNAs which provide the editing information via base pairing to the pre-mRNAs and furthermore may act as the U-nucleotide donors. Guide RNAs are not maintained as free molecules within the mitochondrial organelle, instead form several high molecular weight ribonucleoprotein complexes. Here we report the identification of two new gRNA containing RNP complexes, 8S and 15S in size, that only assemble with upstream gRNA molecules which require editing of their cognate pre-mRNA before they can base pair. The two complexes do not contain pre-mRNA molecules and the 8S RNP can be assembled in vitro. It contains two polypeptides under these conditions with apparent molecular weights of 90 and 21 kDa that can be cross-linked to the gRNA molecule. Our observation suggests the existence of structurally simple gRNA/protein complexes that might function as building blocks for the assembly of a high molecular weight editing machinery.

Animals↗

RNA editing in mitochondrial mRNA of trypanosomatids.

The editing of mRNA coding sequences by the modification, removal or addition of nucleotides has recently been recognized as another form of RNA processing. Studies of the extensive editing of mitochondrial mRNAs in trypanosomatids have revealed the involvement of small guide RNAs (gRNAs) which are encoded by the minicircles of kinetoplast DNA.

Animals↗

Trypanosoma brucei: functions of RBP16 cold shock and RGG domains in macromolecular interactions.

The RNA binding protein RBP16 regulates mitochondrial RNA editing and stability in Trypanosoma brucei. To aid in understanding the biochemical mechanisms of RBP16 function, we analyzed the RNA and protein binding capacity of RBP16 and its individual cold shock (CSD) and RGG domains. Both recombinantly expressed domains possess RNA binding activity. However, the specificity and affinity of RBP16 for gRNA is mediated predominantly through the interaction of the CSD with poly(U). The RGG domain contributes to the association between full length RBP16 and gRNA, as it was required for maximal binding. We further demonstrate that both domains contribute to maximal binding of RBP16 to the mitochondrial p22 protein. However, p22 can interact with the CSD alone and stimulate its gRNA binding activity. Thus, the CSD is primary in RBP16 interactions, while the RGG domain enhances the capacity of the CSD to bind both RNA and protein. These results suggest a model for RBP16 molecular interactions.

Animals↗

Preferential interaction of a 25kDa protein with an A6 pre-mRNA substrate for RNA editing in Trypanosoma brucei.

Mitochondrial gene expression in kinetoplastids is controlled after transcription, potentially at the levels of RNA maturation, stability and translation. Among these processes, RNA editing by U-insertion/deletion catalysed by multi-subunit editing complexes is best characterised at the molecular level. Nevertheless, mitochondrial RNA metabolism overall remains poorly understood, including the potential regulatory factors that may interact with the relevant catalytic molecular machines and/or RNA substrates. Here we report on a approximately 25kDa polypeptide in mitochondrial extracts that exhibits a preferential "zero-distance" photo-crosslinking interaction with an A6 pre-mRNA model substrate for RNA editing containing a single [(32)P] at the first editing site. The approximately 25kDa polypeptide purified away from editosomes upon ion-exchange chromatography and glycerol gradient sedimentation. Competition assays with homologous and heterologous transcripts suggest that the preferential recognition of the A6 substrate is based on relatively low-specificity RNA-protein contacts. Our mapping and substrate truncation analyses suggest that the crosslinking activity primarily targeted a predicted stem-loop region containing the first editing sites. Consistent with the notion that pre-mRNA folding may be required, pre-annealing with guide RNA abolished crosslinking. Interestingly, this preferential protein interaction with the A6 substrate seemed to require adenosine 5'-triphosphate but not hydrolysis. As in other biological systems, fine regulation in vivo may be brought about by transient networks of relatively low-specificity interactions in which multiple auxiliary factors bind to mRNAs and/or editing complexes in unique higher-order assemblies.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The importance of RNA structure in RNA editing and a potential proofreading mechanism for correct guide RNA:pre-mRNA binary complex formation.

RNA editing in trypanosomes is a post-transcriptional process responsible for correcting the coding sequences of many mitochondrial mRNAs. Uridine bases are specifically added or deleted from mRNA by an enzymatic cascade in which a pre-edited mRNA is cleaved specifically, uridine bases are added or removed, and the corrected mRNA is ligated. The process is directed by RNA molecules, termed guide RNAs (gRNA). The ability of this class of small, non-coding RNA to function in RNA editing is essential for these organisms. Typically, gRNAs are transcribed independent of their cognate mRNA and anneal to form a binary RNA complex. An exception from this process is the cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) mRNA, which encodes its gRNA within its 3' untranslated region. This gRNA lacks the ability to function in trans. Using an in vitro editing assay, we find that improving thermodynamic stability to the anchor region through increased Watson-Crick base-pairing is sufficient to impart trans editing activity. We further show that a point mutation outside the known functional regions of a gRNA induces both a conformational rearrangement of the gRNA and causes a decrease in the rate of editing. Taken together, these results lead us to propose a model for a potential proofreading step in the formation of a gRNA:pre-edited mRNA binary complex. The mechanism relies on the thermodynamic stability supplied to the RNA complex through Watson-Crick base-pairing. Through mutations in the gRNA, we demonstrate the importance of gRNA structure to the RNA editing reaction.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Complex management: RNA editing in trypanosomes.

Most mitochondrial mRNAs in kinetoplastids require editing, that is, the posttranscriptional insertion and deletion of uridine nucleotides that are specified by guide RNAs and catalyzed by multiprotein complexes. Recent studies have identified many of the proteins in these complexes, in addition to some of their functions and interactions. Although much remains unknown, a picture of highly organized complexes is emerging that shows that the complex that catalyzes the central steps of editing is partitioned into distinct insertion and deletion editing subcomplexes. These subcomplexes coordinate hundreds of ordered catalytic steps that function to produce a single mature mRNA. The dynamic processes, which might entail interactions among multiprotein complexes and changes in their composition and conformation, remain to be elucidated.

Animals↗

Direct visualisation of RNA editing within a Leishmania tarentolae mitochondrial extract.

The coding sequence within several mitochondrial mRNAs of the trypanosomatid protozoa is created through editing by the precise insertion and deletion of U nucleotides. The biochemical characterisation of the editing reaction in the Leishmania genus of the trypanosomatids has been hindered by the lack of a direct in vitro assay. We describe here the first direct assay for the detection of guide RNA-directed editing mediated by a mitochondrial extract prepared from two independent isolates of Leishmania tarentolae. The assay enabled the editing activity within a L. tarentolae mitochondrial extract to be significantly enriched and will facilitate the characterisation of the editing reaction. The results suggest that the difficulty in establishing an assay for the L. tarentolae reaction was not simply a result of the catalytic machinery being limiting but rather reflected the presence of constraints on both the guide RNA and mRNA sequences.

Animals↗

Native gel analysis of ribonucleoprotein complexes from a Leishmania tarentolae mitochondrial extract.

Two polypeptides of 50 and 45 kDa were adenylated by incubation of a mitochondrial extract from Leishmania tarentolae with [alpha-32P]ATP. These proteins were components of a complex that sedimented at 20S in glycerol gradients and migrated as a single band of approximately 1800 kDa in a native gel. The facts that RNA ligase activity cosedimented at 20S and that the ATP-labeled p45 and p50 polypeptides were deadenylated upon incubation with a ligatable RNA substrate suggested that these proteins may represent charged intermediates of a mitochondrial RNA ligase. Hybridization of native gel blots with guide RNA (gRNA) probes showed the presence of gRNA in the previously identified T-IV complexes that sedimented in glycerol at 10S and contained terminal uridylyl transferase (TUTase) activity, and also in a previously unidentified class of heterodisperse complexes that sedimented throughout the gradient. gRNAs were not detected in the p45 + p50-containing 1800 kDa complex. The heterodisperse gRNA-containing complexes were sensitive to incubation at 27 degrees C and appear to represent complexes of T-IV subunits with mRNA. Polyclonal antiserum to a 70 kDa protein that purified with terminal uridylyl transferase activity was generated, and the antiserum was used to show that this p70 polypeptide was a component of both the T-IV and the heterodisperse gRNA-containing complexes. We propose that the p45 + p50-containing 1800 kDa complex and the p70 + gRNA-containing heterodisperse complexes interact in the editing process. Further characterization of these various complexes should increase our knowledge of the biochemical mechanisms involved in RNA editing.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Demonstration of mRNA editing and localization of guide RNA genes in kinetoplast-mitochondria of the plant trypanosomatid Phytomonas serpens.

Maxicircle molecules of kDNA in several isolates of Phytomonas were detected by hybridization with the 12S rRNA gene probe from Leishmania tarentolae. The estimated size of maxicircles is isolate-specific and varies from 27 to 36 kb. Fully edited and polyadenylated mRNA for kinetoplast-encoded ribosomal protein S12 (RPS12) was found in the steady-state kinetoplast RNA isolated from Phytomonas serpens strain 1G. Two minicircles (1.45 kb) from this strain were also sequenced. Each minicircle contains two 120 bp conserved regions positioned 180 degrees apart, a region enriched with G and T bases and a variable region. One minicircle encodes a gRNA for the first block of editing of RPSl2 mRNA, and the other encodes a gRNA with unknown function. A gRNA gene for the second block of RPSl2 was found on a minicircle sequenced previously. On each minicircle, a gRNA gene is located in the variable region in a similar position and orientation with respect to the conserved regions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Uridine insertion/deletion RNA editing in trypanosome mitochondria--a review.

The uridine insertion/deletion RNA editing in trypanosome mitochondria is a unique posttranscriptional RNA maturation process that involves the addition or removal of uridine residues at precise sites usually within the coding regions of mitochondrial transcripts. This process creates initiation and termination codons, corrects frameshifts and even builds entire open-reading frames from nonsense sequences. The development of several in-vitro editing assays has provided much insight into the molecular mechanism of RNA editing, which appears to involve cleavage, U addition, exonuclease trimming and ligation, essentially as proposed in the original 'enzyme cascade' model (Blum, B., Bakalara, N., Simpson, L., 1990. A model for RNA editing in kinetoplastid mitochondria: 'Guide' RNA molecules transcribed from maxicircle DNA provide the edited information. Cell 60, 189-198). However, little is known about the biochemical properties of the proteins involved and the significance and role of this process. This article is a review of recent findings on uridine-insertion/deletion editing in trypanosome mitochondria, with an emphasis on the proteins isolated and characterized that may have a role in this process.

Animals↗

Mechanisms and origins of RNA editing.

RNA editing is an essential post-transcriptional process that has been identified in an increasing number of eukaryotic organisms. In the past year, progress has been made in the development of in vitro systems to study the mechanism of RNA editing. Analysis of nucleotide insertion/deletion editing in trypanosome mitochondria has revealed the existence of putative editing intermediates in vivo and in vitro. The development of an in vitro editing system for mammalian apolipoprotein B mRNA has allowed the elucidation of both the sequence requirements and the biochemical mechanism of this form of RNA editing. In addition, recent work has underscored the diversity of RNAs whose structure and function are altered by post-translational editing reactions.

Animals↗

RNA editing: getting U into RNA.

RNA editing in kinetoplastid protozoa remodels the sequences of mitochondrial pre-mRNAs by the precise insertion and deletion of uridylate residues. These sequence changes are directed by small trans-acting RNAs, termed guide RNAs. The basic mechanistic pathway by which edited RNA is generated has recently been elucidated using in vitro systems capable of a full round of guide-RNA-directed editing.

Base Sequence↗