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Recognition of the universally conserved 3'-CCA end of tRNA by elongation factor EF-Tu.

Escherichia coli tRNA(Val) with pyrimidine substitutions for the universally conserved 3'-terminal adenine can be readily aminoacylated. It cannot, however, transfer valine into polypeptides. Conversely, despite being a poor substrate for valyl-tRNA synthetase, tRNA(Val) with a 3'-terminal guanine is active in in vitro polypeptide synthesis. To better understand the function of the 3'-CCA sequence of tRNA in protein synthesis, the effects of systematically varying all three bases on formation of the Val-tRNA(Val):EF-Tu:GTP ternary complex were investigated. Substitutions at C74 and C75 have no significant effect, but replacing A76 with pyrimidines decreases the affinity of valyl-tRNA(Val) for EF-Tu:GTP, thus explaining the inability of these tRNA(Val) variants to function in polypeptide synthesis. Valyl-tRNA(Val) terminating in 3'-guanine is readily recognized by EF-TU:GTP. Dissociation constants of the EF-Tu:GTP ternary complexes with valine tRNAs having nucleotide substitutions at the 3' end increase in the order adenine < guanine < uracil; EF-Tu has very little affinity for tRNA terminating in 3' cytosine. Similar observations were made in studies of the interaction of 3' end mutants of E. coli tRNA(Ala) and tRNA(Phe) with EF-Tu:GTP. These results indicate that EF-Tu:GTP preferentially recognizes purines and discriminates against pyrimidines, especially cytosine, at the 3' end of aminoacyl-tRNAs.

Escherichia coli↗

A mitochondrial tRNA(Val) gene mutation (G1642A) in a patient with mitochondrial myopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes.

We studied a patient with the diagnosis of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) for mitochondrial DNA mutations in muscle. Established MELAS mutations were excluded. Mitochondrial DNA was further analyzed for mutations in the 22 tRNA genes by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis; a tRNA(Val) mutation (G1642A) was found. The structure of the altered tRNA, the heteroplasmy, and the absence of the mutation in the mother and in 100 control subjects suggests that the tRNA(Val) mutation is associated with the MELAS syndrome.

Base Sequence↗

Structure and regulation of expression of the Bacillus subtilis valyl-tRNA synthetase gene.

We have sequenced the valyl-tRNA synthetase gene (valS) of Bacillus subtilis and found an open reading frame coding for a protein of 880 amino acids with a molar mass of 101,749. The predicted amino acid sequence shares strong similarity with the valyl-tRNA synthetases from Bacillus stearothermophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Escherichia coli. Extracts of B. subtilis strains overexpressing the valS gene on a plasmid have increased valyl-tRNA aminoacylation activity. Northern analysis shows that valS is cotranscribed with the folC gene (encoding folyl-polyglutamate synthetase) lying downstream. The 300-bp 5' noncoding region of the gene contains the characteristic regulatory elements, T box, "specifier codon" (GUC), and rho-independant transcription terminator of a gene family in gram-positive bacteria that encodes many aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and some amino acid biosynthetic enzymes and that is regulated by tRNA-mediated antitermination. We have shown that valS expression is induced by valine limitation and that the specificity of induction can be switched to threonine by changing the GUC (Val) specifier triplet to ACC (Thr). Overexpression of valS from a recombinant plasmid leads to autorepression of a valS-lacZ transcriptional fusion. Like induction by valine starvation, autoregulation of valS depends on the presence of the GUC specifier codon. Disruption of the valS gene was not lethal, suggesting the existence of a second gene, as is the case for both the thrS and the tyrS genes.

Acylation↗

A tRNA(Val) (GAC) gene of chloroplast origin in sunflower mitochondria is not transcribed.

A tRNA(Val) (GAC) gene is located in opposite orientation 552 nucleotides (nt) down-stream of the cytochrome oxidase subunit III (coxIII) gene in sunflower mitochondria. The comparison with the homologous chloroplast DNA revealed that the tRNA(Val) gene is part of a 417 nucleotides DNA insertion of chloroplast origin in the mitochondrial genome. No tRNA(Val) is encoded in monocot mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), whereas two tRNA(Val) species are coded for by potato mtDNA. The mitochondrial genomes of different plant species thus seem to encode unique sets of tRNAs and must thus be competent in importing the missing differing sets of tRNAs.

Base Sequence↗

Breaking the stereo barrier of amino acid attachment to tRNA by a single nucleotide.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are responsible for attaching amino acid residues to the tRNA 3'-end. The two classes of synthetases approach tRNA as mirror images, with opposite but symmetrical stereochemistries that allow the class I enzymes to attach amino acid residues to the 2'-hydroxyl group of the terminal ribose, whereas, the class II enzymes attach amino acid residues to the 3'-hydroxyl group. However, we show here that the attachment of cysteine to tRNA(Cys) by the class I cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase (CysRS) is flexible; the enzyme is capable of using either the 2' or 3'-hydroxyl group as the attachment site. The molecular basis for this flexibility was investigated. Introduction of the nucleotide U73 of tRNA(Cys) into tRNA(Val) was found to confer the flexibility. While valylation of the wild-type tRNA(Val) by the class I ValRS was strictly dependent on the terminal 2'-hydroxyl group, that of the U73 mutant of tRNA(Val) occurred at either the 2' or 3'-hydroxyl group. Thus, the single nucleotide U73 of tRNA has the ability to break the stereo barrier of amino acid attachment to tRNA, by mobilizing the 2' and 3'-hydroxyl groups of A76 in flexible geometry with respect to the tRNA acceptor stem.

Amino Acids↗

A tRNA gene mapping within the chloroplast rDNA cluster is differentially expressed during the development of Daucus carota.

In vivo analysis of expression of the chloroplast rDNA cluster during somatic embryogenesis of Daucus carota (D.carota) was performed by Northern-blot analysis with different DNA probes, spanning both the 16S rRNA gene, the 16S-23S rRNA spacer, which contains the two mosaic tRNA genes tRNA(Ile) and tRNA(Ala), and the region upstream of the 16S rRNA gene, where a tRNA(Val) maps. We show that expression both of the spacer tRNAs tRNA(Ile) and tRNA(Ala) is not significantly regulated during development whereas the amount of the transcript corresponding to tRNA(Val) is not detectable during early embryonic stages and progressively accumulates during late phases. Multiple transcription start sites have been identified upstream of the tRNA(Val) gene by S1 mapping analysis, which are activated late during the embryogenesis. These data indicate that developmental control mechanisms act on plastid gene expression during embryogenesis in carrot.

Base Sequence↗

Maxizymes and small hairpin-type RNAs that are driven by a tRNA promoter specifically cleave a chimeric gene associated with leukemia in vitro and in vivo.

Many leukemias result from chromosomal translocations that lead to the generation of chimeric oncoproteins. Chimeric gene for the promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor alpha (PML-RAR alpha) is the hallmark of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Specific gene silencing of an oncogene is desirable for the treatment of these diseases. We have previously constructed an allosterically controllable ribozyme (designated maxizyme) targeted for bcr-abl chimeric mRNA, whose cleavage activity is induced only in the presence of a specific RNA sequence of interest. It has been demonstrated recently that RNA interference induced by short hairpin-type RNAs provides a powerful method for sequence-specific gene silencing. Here we report that DNA vector-based maxizymes and short hairpin-type RNAs driven by the promoter of a human gene for tRNA(Val) specifically inhibit the expression of the chimeric gene for PML-RAR alpha both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings confirm the potential utility of maxizymes and shRNAs as therapeutic agents.

Base Sequence↗

Crucial role of conserved lysine 277 in the fidelity of tRNA aminoacylation by Escherichia coli valyl-tRNA synthetase.

Valyl-tRNA synthetase (ValRS) from Escherichia coli undergoes covalent valylation by a donor valyl adenylate synthesized by the enzyme itself. ValRS could also be modified, although to a lesser extent, by the noncognate isosteric substrate L-threonine from a donor threonyl adenylate synthesized by the synthetase itself, or by the nonsubstrate methionine from methionyl adenylate produced by catalytic amounts of methionyl-tRNA synthetase. MALDI mass spectrometry analysis designated lysines 154, 162, 170, 533, 554, 593, 894, 930, and 940 of ValRS as the target residues for the attachment of valine. Following autothreonylation, lysines 162, 170, 178, 277, 291, 554, 580, 593, 861, 894, and 930 were found to be modified. Finally, L-Met-labeled residues were lysines 118, 162, 170, 178, 277, and 938. Alignment of the available ValRS amino acid sequences showed that lysines 277 and 554 are strictly conserved (with the exception concerning replacement of Lys-277 with a methionine or a tyrosine in archaebacteria), suggesting that these residues might be functionally significant. Indeed, lysine 554 of ValRS is the first lysine of the Lys-Met-Ser-Lys-Ser signature of the catalytic site of class I aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Lys-277 which is labeled by L-threonine or L-methionine, and not by L-valine, is located at or near the editing site, in the three-dimensional structure of ValRS. The role of lysine 277 was evaluated by site-directed mutagenesis. The Lys277Ala mutant (K277A) exhibited a posttransfer Thr-tRNA(Val) editing rate that was significantly lower than that observed for the wild-type enzyme. In addition, the K277A substitution altered amino acid discrimination in the editing site, resulting in hydrolysis of the correctly charged cognate Val-tRNA(Val). Finally, significant amounts of mischarged Thr-tRNA(Val) were produced by the K277A mutant, and not by wild-type ValRS. Altogether, our results designate Lys-277 as a likely candidate for nucleophilic attack of misacylated tRNA in the editing site of ValRS.

Acylation↗

An efficiently transcribed human tRNA(Val) gene variant produces a stable pre-tRNA: repair of the processing defect by in vitro mutations.

A tRNA(CACVal) gene variant, pHtV4, was cloned from human placenta genomic DNA. This gene differs from a closely related, functional tRNA(CACVal) gene by four base exchanges: T residues in place of C25, C62, and C66 create G:U pairs, and an A instead of G65 creates an A:C mismatch in the corresponding RNA transcript. The tRNA(Val) gene variant in pHtV4 is efficiently transcribed in HeLa cell nuclear extracts; however, the resulting pre-tRNA is processing-deficient, i.e., neither its 5'- nor its 3'-flanking sequences are removed to generate mature tRNA. Reversion of all four point mutations in pHtV4 by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis yielded a functional tRNA(CACVal) gene within the flanks of pHtV4, the pre-tRNA of which was processed to mature tRNA. Construction of a chimeric tRNA(Val) gene and site-directed mutagenesis of the tRNA(Val) gene in pHtV4, respectively, followed by transcription and processing studies showed that each of the four mutations contributes to the processing defect of the pHtV4-derived pre-tRNA. Moreover, this revealed that G:U pairs, which are common in all tRNAs, can impair pre-tRNA processing and therefore do not occur in certain positions in eukaryotic tRNAs.

Base Sequence↗

Regulation of beta1 integrin expression in endothelial cells by chimeric tRNA(Val) ribozyme.

To downregulate expression of the beta1 integrin subunit in endothelial cells, plasmid encoding the ribozyme cassette containing hammerhead ribozyme flanked at the 5' terminus by tRNA(Val) and at the 3' terminus by constitutive transport element sequences was constructed. When used to transfect immortalized human endothelial cell line EA.hy 926, it selectively blocked the synthesis of the beta1 integrin subunit and thus inhibited migration and proliferation of the cells. Thus, this construct may be a valuable tool to control the proangiogenic phenotype of stimulated endothelial cells.

Cell Line↗

[Mitochondrial DNA mutation analysis in patients with mitochondrial myopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To examine mitochondrial DNA mutations in mitochondrial myopathy. METHODS: Three suspected cases of mitochondrial myopathy were examined by HE staining, histochemical staining methods and electron microscopy. The mutations in all 22 tRNA genes of mitochondrial genome were screened by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: The three cases were diagnosed as mitochondrial myopathy. The examinations revealed that patient 1 had a homoplasmic A1627G mutation in tRNA-Val gene, and patient 2 had a heteroplasmic A1627G/A mutation in tRNA-Val gene, and patient 3 had two mutationsuone was homoplasmic T5554C mutation in tRNA-Trp gene, the other was heteroplasmic A10412C/A mutation in tRNA-Arg gene. CONCLUSION: tRNA genes mutations of mtDNA might be one of the etiologies of mitochondrial myopathy.

Adult↗

Cloning and characterization of a cluster of genes coding for 5S rRNA and three tRNAs from Azospirillum lipoferum.

A genomic library was constructed from a HindIII digest of Azospirillum lipoferum chromosomal DNA in the HindIII site of pUC19. From the library, a clone, pALH64, which showed strong hybridization with 3' end labeled A. lipoferum total tRNAs and which contains a 2.9 kb insert was isolated and restriction map of the insert established. The nucleotide sequence of a 490 bp HindIII-HincII subfragment containing a cluster of genes coding for 5S rRNA, tRNA(Val)(UAC), tRNA(Thr)(UGA) and tRNA(Lys)(UUU) has been determined. The gene organization is 5S rRNA (115 bp), spacer (10 bp), tRNA(Val) (76 bp), spacer (3 bp), tRNA(Thr) (76 bp), spacer (7 bp) and tRNA(Lys) (76 bp). Hybridization experiments using A. lipoferum total tRNAs and 5S rRNA with the cloned DNA probes revealed that all three tRNA genes and the 5S rRNA gene are expressed in vivo in the bacterial cells.

Azospirillum↗

Temperature sensitive synthesis of transfer RNAs in vivo in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Dictyostelium discoideum tRNA genes can be expressed efficiently in vivo in yeast, and transcription products are processed to mature tRNAs. However, primary transcripts of a variant tRNA(Val)(UAC) gene are processing deficient under standard growth conditions (30 degrees C), due to a slightly altered 5' flanking region. A stable extended amino acid acceptor stem, which seems to be required to compensate a G5-G68 mismatch, cannot form. This mismatch destabilizes secondary and probably tertiary structures to such an extent that recognition of processing enzyme(s) under normal conditions (30 degrees C) is impaired. Growing yeast cells at reduced temperature (22 degrees C) can phenotypically complement the processing defect. This observation provides a new concept for the temperature dependent expression of protein coding genes which carry a nonsense codon. Translation of corresponding messages can be controlled by products of a temperature sensitive su-tRNA gene. We successfully tested this concept with two amber suppressors derived from a tRNA(Glu)(UUC) gene from D. discoideum. One of the variant tRNA genes codes for a product with a destabilized amino acid acceptor stem. Primary transcripts of this particular su-tRNA(Glu)(CUA) gene are processed only at reduced growth temperatures and consequently function as temperature sensitive suppressors only under these conditions.

Base Sequence↗

Mechanism of molecular interactions for tRNA(Val) recognition by valyl-tRNA synthetase.

The molecular interactions between valyl-tRNA synthetase (ValRS) and tRNA(Val), with the C34-A35-C36 anticodon, from Thermus thermophilus were studied by crystallographic analysis and structure-based mutagenesis. In the ValRS-bound structure of tRNA(Val), the successive A35-C36 residues (the major identity elements) of tRNA(Val) are base-stacked upon each other, and fit into a pocket on the alpha-helix bundle domain of ValRS. Hydrogen bonds are formed between ValRS and A35-C36 of tRNA(Val) in a base-specific manner. The C-terminal coiled-coil domain of ValRS interacts electrostatically with A20 and hydrophobically with the G19*C56 tertiary base pair. The loss of these interactions by the deletion of the coiled-coil domain of ValRS increased the K(M) value for tRNA(Val) 28-fold and decreased the k(cat) value 19-fold in the aminoacylation. The tRNA(Val) K(M) and k(cat) values were increased 21-fold and decreased 32-fold, respectively, by the disruption of the G18*U55 and G19*C56 tertiary base pairs, which associate the D- and T-loops for the formation of the L-shaped tRNA structure. Therefore, the coiled-coil domain of ValRS is likely to stabilize the L-shaped tRNA structure during the aminoacylation reaction.

Anticodon↗

tRNA hopping: effects of mutant tRNAs.

Movement of tRNA and mRNA through the ribosome is coupled. However, selection for suppression of a -1 frameshift mutation in Escherichia coli has yielded a class of mutant tRNAs that can violate this mechanism and "hop" or disengage from their cognate codons and re-pair downstream in the mRNA. Previously described tRNA mutants of this class included those with insertions in the anticodon of tRNA(Val)1. This report describes further tRNA(Val)1 alterations that enhance hopping; these include a novel insertion in the anticodon loop, base substitutions in the anticodon stem and a base deletion in the variable loop. These results indicate that several different features of a tRNA are important for maintaining stable codon-anticodon interactions and coupled movement of tRNA and mRNA during the elongation phase of protein synthesis.

Anticodon↗

Analysis of the boundaries of Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 and the corresponding chromosomal region of Escherichia coli K-12.

We recently identified a pathogenicity island (SPI2) located at 30.7 centisomes on the Salmonella typhimurium chromosome. SPI2 contains genes encoding a type III secretion system whose function is distinct from that of the type III secretion system encoded by a pathogenicity island (SPI1) at 63 centisomes which is involved in epithelial cell entry. An analysis of the boundaries of SPI2 and comparison with the corresponding region of the Escherichia coli chromosome revealed that SPI2 inserted adjacent to the tRNA(Val) gene. The E. coli chromosome contains 9 kb of DNA at the region corresponding to the SPI2 insertion point which appears to be absent in S. typhimurium. The distribution of SPI1 and SPI2 was examined in various Salmonella isolates. In contrast to type III secretion system genes of SPI1, those of SPI2 are not present in Salmonella bongori, which diverged at the first branch point in the Salmonella lineage. These and other data indicate that SPI2 was acquired by a Salmonella strain already harboring SPI1 by horizontal transfer from an unknown source.

Base Sequence↗

Valyl-tRNA synthetase from yeast. Discrimination between 20 amino acids in aminoacylation of tRNA(Val)-C-C-A and tRNA(Val)-C-C-A(3'NH2).

For discrimination between valine and the 19 naturally occurring noncognate amino acids, as well as between valine and 2-amino-isobutyric acid by valyl-tRNA synthetase from baker's yeast, discrimination factors (D) have been determined from kcat and Km values in aminoacylation of tRNA(Val)-C-C-A. The lowest values were found for Trp, Ser, Cys, Lys, Met and Thr (D = 90-870), showing that valine is 90-870 times more frequently attached to tRNA(Val)-C-C-A than the noncognate amino acids at the same amino acid concentrations. The other amino acids exhibit D values between 1,100 and 6200. Generally, valyl-tRNA synthetase is considerably less specific than isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, but this may be partly compensated in the cell by valine concentrations higher than those of noncognate acids. In aminoacylation of tRNA(Val)-C-C-A(3'NH2) discrimination factors D1 are in the range of 40-1260. From D1 values and AMP formation stoichiometry, pretransfer proof-reading factors pi 1 were determined: post-transfer proof-reading factors II 2 were determined from D values and AMP formation stoichiometry in acylation of tRNA(Val)-C-C-A. II 1 values (7-168) show that pretransfer proof-reading is the main correction step, post-transfer proof-reading (II 2 approximately 1-7) is less effective and in some cases negligible. Initial discrimination factors were calculated from discrimination and proof-reading factors according to a two-step binding process. These factors, due to different Gibbs free energies of binding can be related to hydrophobic interaction forces, and a hypothetical 'stopper' model of the amino-acid-binding site is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Organ-specific transcription of the rrn operon in spinach plastids.

The spinach rrn operon is used as a model system to study transcriptional regulation in higher plant photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic plastids. We performed capping experiments to determine whether P1, PC, or P2 promoters are employed for rrn transcription start sites in cotyledon and root tissues. By using a new method of analysis of capped RNA we demonstrate for the first time that 1) in both organs the rrn operon is expressed in a constitutive manner by cotranscription with the preceding tRNA(GAC)Val gene, and 2) the PC transcription start site is used only in cotyledons and leaves, i.e. we demonstrate the organ-specific usage of a plastid promoter. Both start sites, PC and that of the tRNA(GAC)Val cotranscript, lack Escherichia coli-like consensus sequences. The cotranscript is initiated 457 base pairs upstream of the tRNA(GAC)Val gene. The PC-specific DNA-binding factor, CDF2, is not detectable in root tissues confirming its regulatory role in PC-initiated rrn expression and the organ specificity of PC expression. Furthermore, our results show that rrn operon expression patterns differ in spinach and tobacco indicating species-specific transcriptional regulation of plant plastid gene expression.

Base Sequence↗