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Molecular mechanisms of apolipoprotein B mRNA editing.

A site-specific post-transcriptional cytidine to uridine deamination reaction is responsible for the production of apolipoprotein B48 in the mammalian small intestine. The molecular machinery responsible for apolipoprotein B RNA editing consists of apobec-1, an RNA-specific cytidine deaminase that functions in conjunction with a recently identified protein referred to as ACF/ASP. These proteins together represent the minimal editing enzyme, although other proteins may associate with the enzyme complex. Apobec-1 is a member of a supergene family of cytidine deaminases, with several homologs recently identified in the human genome. ACF/ASP is novel, and emerging information reveals interesting clues to its role in the apolipoprotein B RNA editing enzyme complex.

Apolipoproteins B↗

Evolution and mechanism of translation in chloroplasts.

The entire sequence (120-190 kb) of chloroplast genomes has been determined from a dozen plant species. The genome contains from 87 to 183 known genes, of which half encode components involved in translation. These include a complete set of rRNAs and about 30 tRNAs, which are likely to be sufficient to support translation in chloroplasts. RNA editing (mostly C to U base changes) occurs in some chloroplast transcripts, creating start and stop codons and changing codons to retain conserved amino acids. Many components that constitute the chloroplast translational machinery are similar to those of Escherichia coli, whereas only one third of the chloroplast mRNAs contain Shine-Dalgarno-like sequences at the correct positions. Analyses conducted in vivo and in vitro have revealed the existence of multiple mechanisms for translational initiation in chloroplasts.

Base Sequence↗

Lariat formation and a hydrolytic pathway in plant chloroplast group II intron splicing.

Lariat formation has been studied intensively only with a few self-splicing group II introns, and little is known about how the numerous diverse introns in plant organelles are excised. Several of these introns have branch-points that are not a single bulge but are adjoined by A:A, A:C, A:G and G:G pairs. Using a highly sensitive in vivo approach, we demonstrate that all but one of the barley chloroplast introns splice via the common pathway that produces a branched product. RNA editing does not improve domain 5 and 6 structures of these introns. The conserved branch-point in tobacco rpl16 is chosen even if an adjacent unpaired adenosine is available, suggesting that spatial arrangements in domain 6 determine correct branch-point selection. Lariats were not detected for the chloroplast trnV intron, which lacks an unpaired adenosine in domain 6. Instead, this intron is released as linear molecules that undergo further polyadenylation. trnV, which is conserved throughout plant evolution, constitutes the first example of naturally occurring hydrolytic group II intron splicing in vivo.

Chloroplasts↗

Ancestors of trans-splicing mitochondrial introns support serial sister group relationships of hornworts and mosses with vascular plants.

Some group II introns in the organelle genomes of plants and algae are disrupted and require trans-splicing of the affected exons from independent transcripts. A peculiar mitochondrial nad5 gene structure is universally conserved in flowering plants where two trans-splicing introns frame a tiny exon of only 22 nucleotides, and two additional conventional group II introns interrupt the nad5 reading frame at other sites. These four introns are absent in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, which carries a group I intron at an unrelated site in nad5. To determine how intron gains and losses have sculptured mitochondrial gene structures in early land-plant evolution, we have investigated the full nad5 gene structures in the three bryophyte classes and the fern Asplenium nidus. We find the single Marchantia group I intron nad5i753 present as the only intervening sequence in both closely (Corsinia and Monoclea) and distantly related (Noteroclada, Bazzania, and Haplomitrium) liverwort genera. In a taxonomically wide spectrum of mosses (Sphagnum, Encalypta, Timmia, Ulota, and Rhacocarpus); however, we additionally identify the angiosperm-type group II introns nad5i230 and nad5i1455. The latter is a cis-arranged homolog to one of the two angiosperm trans-splicing introns, notably the first of its kind in mosses. In the hornwort Anthoceros, the "moss and liverwort-type" group I intron nad5i753 is absent, and, besides nad5i230 and nad5i1455, intron nad5i1477 is present as the second ancestral group II intron which has evolved into a trans-splicing arrangement in angiosperms. The influence of highly frequent RNA editing, most notably in the genera Haplomitrium, Anthoceros, and Asplenium, on phylogenetic tree construction is investigated and discussed. Taken together, the data (1) support a sister group relationship of liverworts as a whole to all other embryophytes, (2) indicate loss of a group I and serial entries of group II introns in the nad5 gene during early evolution of the nonliverwort lineage, and (3) propose a placement of hornworts as sister group to tracheophytes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The complete mitochondrial genome of the wallaroo (Macropus robustus) and the phylogenetic relationship among Monotremata, Marsupialia, and Eutheria.

The complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) (16,896 nt) of the wallaroo (Macropus robustus) was sequenced. The concatenated amino acid sequences of 12 mitochondrial protein-coding genes of the wallaroo plus those of a number of other mammals were included in a phylogenetic study of early mammalian divergences. The analysis joined monotremes and marsupials (the Marsupionta hypothesis) to the exclusion of eutherians. The analysis rejected significantly the commonly acknowledged Theria hypothesis, according to which Marsupialia and Eutheria are grouped together to the exclusion of Monotremata. The region harboring the gene for lysine tRNA (tRNA-Lys) in the mtDNA of other vertebrates is in the wallaroo occupied by a sequence (tRNA-Lys) that lacks both an anticodon loop as well as the anticodon for the amino acid lysine. An alternative tRNA-Lys gene was not identified in any other region of the mtDNA of the wallaroo, suggesting that a tRNA-Lys of nuclear origin is imported into marsupial mitochondria. Previously described RNA editing of tRNA-Asp and rearrangement of some tRNA genes were reconfirmed in the mtDNA of the wallaroo. The divergence between Monotremata/Marsupialia and Eutheria was timed to approximately 130 million years before present (MYBP). The same calculations suggested that Monotremata and Marsupialia diverged approximately 115 MYBP and that Australian and American marsupials separated approximately 75 MYBP. The findings also show that many, probably most, extant eutherian orders had their origin in middle to late Cretaceous times, 115-65 MYBP.

Animals↗

Evidence for import of a lysyl-tRNA into marsupial mitochondria.

The mitochondrial tRNA gene for lysine was analyzed in 11 different marsupial mammals. Whereas its location is conserved when compared with other vertebrate mitochondrial genomes, its primary sequence and inferred secondary structure are highly unusual and variable. For example, eight species lack the expected anticodon. Because the corresponding transcripts are not altered by any RNA-editing mechanism, the lysyl-tRNA gene seems to represent a mitochondrial pseudogene. Purification of marsupial mitochondria and in vitro aminoacylation of isolated tRNAs with lysine, followed by analysis of aminoacylated tRNAs, show that a nuclear-encoded tRNA(Lys) is associated with marsupial mitochondria. We conclude that a functional tRNA(Lys) encoded in the nuclear genome is imported into mitochondria in marsupials. Thus, tRNA import is not restricted to plant, yeast, and protozoan mitochondria but also occurs also in mammals.

Animals↗

Different Trypanosoma brucei guide RNA molecules associate with an identical complement of mitochondrial proteins in vitro.

RNA editing is a mitochondrial transcript maturation process which evolved in kinetoplastid protozoa. It entails the insertion and deletion of exclusively uridine nucleotides directed by gRNAs into pre-mRNAs. Other participating components are not currently known. The aim of this study was to identify mitochondrial proteins that are in direct physical contact with gRNAs thereby possibly involved in the editing reaction. At low monovalent cation concentration (30 mM KCl) 8 polypeptides with apparent molecular weights ranging from 124 to 9 kDa specifically cross-linked to gRNAs. Three of the proteins, 90, 21, and 9 kDa in size, were able to bind at higher salt concentrations (> or = 100 mM) indicating an enhanced affinity to the gRNA molecules. No cross-links were identified at > or = 250 mM KCl. Four gRNAs, specific for different editing domains of the ATPase 6 and ND7 pre-mRNAs, were in contact with the same set of mitochondrial polypeptides suggesting the assembly of an identical RNP complex that does not include pre-mRNA molecules. The binding of the 90 kDa protein was sensitive to the presence of U-nucleotides at the 3'-end of the gRNAs and could specifically be blocked by modifying free sulfhydryl groups. The interaction with the 124 kDa polypeptide was inhibited by vanadyl ribonucleosides, implicating a role for 2', 3' hydroxyl groups in the gRNA-protein interaction.

Animals↗

On the possibility of constructive neutral evolution.

The neutral theory often is presented as a theory of "noise" or silent changes at an isolated "molecular level," relevant to marking the steady pace of divergence, but not to the origin of biological structure, function, or complexity. Nevertheless, precisely these issues can be addressed in neutral models, such as those elaborated here with regard to scrambled ciliate genes, gRNA-mediated RNA editing, the transition from self-splicing to spliceosomal splicing, and the retention of duplicate genes. All of these are instances of a more general scheme of "constructive neutral evolution" that invokes biased variation, epistatic interactions, and excess capacities to account for a complex series of steps giving rise to novel structures or operations. The directional and constructive outcomes of these models are due not to neutral allele fixations per se, but to these other factors. Neutral models of this type may help to clarify the poorly understood role of nonselective factors in evolutionary innovation and directionality.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In search of antisense.

In recent years, natural antisense transcripts (NATs) have been implicated in many aspects of eukaryotic gene expression including genomic imprinting, RNA interference, translational regulation, alternative splicing, X-inactivation and RNA editing. Moreover, there is growing evidence to suggest that antisense transcription might have a key role in a range of human diseases. Consequently, there have been several recent attempts to identify novel NATs. To date, approximately 2500 mammalian NATs have been found, indicating that antisense transcription might be a common mechanism of regulating gene expression in human cells. There are increasingly diverse ways in which antisense transcription can regulate gene expression and evidence for the involvement of NATs in human disease is emerging. A range of bioinformatic resources could be used to assist future antisense research.

Alternative Splicing↗

Genetic manipulation of key determinants of ion flow in glutamate receptor channels in the mouse.

Glutamate receptor channels are built around an ancient pore loop structure which defines the inner channel environment and which is connected to structures for channel gating. This pore loop, which corresponds to the M2 region of the receptor subunits, enters the lipid bilayer from the intracellular side in an alpha-helical configuration, then kinks to form a random coil and exits the lipid bilayer at the intracellular side. The narrow constriction of the channel is formed by amino acid residues that occupy a position shortly after the end of the alpha-helical part of M2. These residues determine ion selectivity and conductance properties of the glutamate-gated channel. The critical residues are asparagines for NMDA receptor subunits and glutamine or arginine for AMPA and kainate receptor subunits. Presence of arginine in the critical channel position of AMPA and kainate receptors is controlled by site-selective RNA editing. To study the importance of these critical channel residues in the mouse, we introduced codon changes in the endogenous genes for NMDA and AMPA receptor subunits. Our results show that changes in the critical channel position are not tolerated, but lead to early death. Therefore, the impact on adult synaptic function and plasticity by glutamate receptor channels with changed ion selectivity and conductance needs to be addressed by conditional expression of the mutant receptors.

Adenosine↗

The radish (Raphanus sativus L.) mitochondrial cox2 gene contains an ACG at the predicted translation initiation site.

The mitochondrial cox2 gene has been sequenced from radish (Raphanus sativus L.). The gene is interrupted by a 1346-bp group-II intron and contains an ACG codon as the predicted translation initiation site. Analysis of cox2 cDNAs indicates that the ACG codon is not converted to an AUG codon in the mRNA, although 15 other RNA editing sites were identified. The cox2 gene from Raphanus raphanistrum, and other varieties of R. sativus, also contain an ACG as the predicted start codon; plants in the closely related genus, Brassica, do not. Western-blot analyses indicate that cox2 proteins in radish mitochondria are the same size as those found in Brassica mitochondria and different from cox2 proteins in plants where cox2 is nuclear-encoded. This finding, along with the observation that cox2 sequences are not present in the nuclear genome of radish, suggests that ACG is utilized as the radish cox2 initiation codon.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A trans-splicing model for the expression of the tripartite nad5 gene in wheat and maize mitochondria.

The mitochondrial single-copy gene nad5 of wheat and maize consists of 5 exons located on three widely separated regions of the genome that are independently transcribed. The first region contains exons I and II separated by an atypical group II intron; in the second region is exon III (only 22 bp long), which is flanked upstream by a maturase-related open reading frame (ORF) and exon e of the nad1 gene, and downstream by a previously unidentified ORF (ORF143); in the third region are exons IV and V separated by a group II intron. In maize, this last domain is flanked upstream by the genes rps12, nad3, and tRNA(Ser) and downstream by a chloroplast tRNA(Cys). RNA editing occurs in wheat exons IV and V as C-to-U changes. A detailed analysis of the transcription of the nad5 gene in wheat and maize reveals that the exons are assembled into a 2.4-kb mRNA after two cis-splicing (between exons I and II and exons IV and V) and two trans-splicing events. The trans-splicing process involves the sequences flanking exons II, III, and IV that feature group II introns. A model is proposed for the assembly and maturation of the nad5 transcripts.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

New antiviral pathway that mediates hepatitis C virus replicon interferon sensitivity through ADAR1.

While many clinical hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are resistant to alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) therapy, subgenomic in vitro self-replicating HCV RNAs (HCV replicons) are characterized by marked IFN-alpha sensitivity. IFN-alpha treatment of replicon-containing cells results in a rapid loss of viral RNA via translation inhibition through double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) and also through a new pathway involving RNA editing by an adenosine deaminase that acts on double-stranded RNA (ADAR1). More than 200 genes are induced by IFN-alpha, and yet only a few are attributed with an antiviral role. We show that inhibition of both PKR and ADAR1 by the addition of adenovirus-associated RNA stimulates replicon expression and reduces the amount of inosine recovered from RNA in replicon cells. Small inhibitory RNA, specific for ADAR1, stimulated the replicon 40-fold, indicating that ADAR1 has a role in limiting replication of the viral RNA. This is the first report of ADAR's involvement in a potent antiviral pathway and its action to specifically eliminate HCV RNA through adenosine to inosine editing. These results may explain successful HCV replicon clearance by IFN-alpha in vitro and may provide a promising new therapeutic strategy for HCV as well as other viral infections.

Adenosine↗

The marsupial mitochondrial genome and the evolution of placental mammals.

The entire nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome of the American opossum, Didelphis virginiana, was determined. Two major features distinguish this genome from those of other mammals. First, five tRNA genes around the origin of light strand replication are rearranged. Second, the anticodon of tRNA(Asp) is posttranscriptionally changed by an RNA editing process such that its coding capacity is altered. When the complete protein-coding region of the mitochondrial genome is used as an outgroup for placental mammals it can be shown that rodents represent an earlier branch among placental mammals than primates and artiodactyls and that artiodactyls share a common ancestor with carnivores. The overall rates of evolution of most of the mitochondrial genome of placentals are clock-like. Furthermore, the data indicate that the lineages leading to the mouse and rat may have diverged from each other as much as 35 million years ago.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The gene for ribosomal protein S10 is present in mitochondria of pea and potato but absent from those of Arabidopsis and Oenothera.

A novel group II intron has been identified in the pea (Pisum sativum) mitochondrial genome. The gene harbouring this intron is identified as rps10 (encoding protein S10 of the small ribosomal subunit) by similarity to its known homologues in bacteria and in the mitochondrion of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. The rps10 gene is transcribed in pea, the intron is removed, and RNA editing in the rps10 reading frame increases similarity to its homologue in the M. polymorpha mitochondrion. Contrary to the situation in bacteria and Marchantia, rps10 is not part of a ribosomal-protein gene cluster in pea. It is flanked upstream by the genes trnF and trnP, encoding phenylalanine- and proline-accepting tRNAs, and downstream by cox1, encoding subunit 1 of the cytochrome-c-oxidase. Southern hybridization shows that sequences homologous to rps10 exist in potato mitochondria but not in mitochondria of Oenothera berteriana and Arabidopsis thaliana. The pea rps10 intron is homologous to introns in rrn26 and cox3 in the Marchantia mitochondrial genome, while the Marchantia rps10 gene lacks an intron.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A novel additional group II intron distinguishes the mitochondrial rps3 gene in gymnosperms.

Comparative analysis of the ribosomal protein S3 gene (rps3) in the mitochondrial genome of Cycas with newly sequenced counterparts from Magnolia and Helianthus and available sequences from higher plants revealed that the positional clustering with the genes for ribosomal protein S19 (rps19) and L16 (rpl16) is preserved in gymnosperms. However, in contrast to the other land plant species, the rps3 gene in Cycas mitochondria is unique in possessing a second intron: rps3i2. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of the transcripts generated from the rps19-rps3-rpl16 cluster in Cycas mitochondria demonstrated that the genes are cotranscribed and extensively modified by RNA editing and that both introns are efficiently spliced. Despite remarkable size heterogeneity, the Cycas rps3i1 can be shown to be homologous to the group IIA introns present within the rps3 gene of algae and land plants, including Magnolia and Helianthus. Conversely, sequences similar to the rps3i2 have not been reported previously. On the basis of conserved primary and secondary structure the second intervening sequence interrupting the Cycas rps3 gene has been classified as a group II intron. The close relationship of the rps3i2 to a group of different plant mitochondrial introns is intriguing and suggestive of a mitochondrial derivation for this novel intervening sequence. Interestingly, the rps3i2 appears to be conserved at the same gene location in other gymnosperms. Furthermore, the pattern of the rps3i2 distribution among algae and land plants provides evidence for the evolutionary acquisition of this novel intron in gymnosperms via intragenomic transposition or retrotransposition.

Base Sequence↗

Unique mitochondrial genome structure in diplonemids, the sister group of kinetoplastids.

Kinetoplastid flagellates are characterized by uniquely massed mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs), the kinetoplasts. Kinetoplastids of the trypanosomatid group possess two types of mtDNA molecules: maxicircles bearing protein and mitoribosomal genes and minicircles specifying guide RNAs, which mediate uridine insertion/deletion RNA editing. These circles are interlocked with one another to form dense networks. Whether these peculiar mtDNA features are restricted to kinetoplastids or prevail throughout Euglenozoa (euglenids, diplonemids, and kinetoplastids) is unknown. Here, we describe the mitochondrial genome and the mitochondrial ultrastructure of Diplonema papillatum, a member of the diplonemid flagellates, the sister group of kinetoplastids. Fluorescence and electron microscopy show a single mitochondrion per cell with an ultrastructure atypical for Euglenozoa. In addition, DNA is evenly distributed throughout the organelle rather than compacted. Molecular and electron microscopy studies distinguish numerous 6- and 7-kbp-sized mitochondrial chromosomes of monomeric circular topology and relaxed conformation in vivo. Remarkably, the cox1 gene (and probably other mitochondrial genes) is fragmented, with separate gene pieces encoded on different chromosomes. Generation of the contiguous cox1 mRNA requires trans-splicing, the precise mechanism of which remains to be determined. Taken together, the mitochondrial gene/genome structure of Diplonema is not only different from that of kinetoplastids but unique among eukaryotes as a whole.

Animals↗

Lack of conservation of editing sites in mRNAs that encode subunits of the NAD(P)H dehydrogenase complex in plastids and mitochondria of Arabidopsis thaliana.

RNA editing in the plastids and mitochondria of higher plants involves C to U conversion of specific nucleotides in the mRNA. This leads to the synthesis of proteins that are different from those predicted by the DNA sequence. Editing appears to have arisen at about the same time in both plastids and mitochondria, suggesting a common evolutionary origin. The problem we address here is whether or not there has been co-evolution of the editing systems in the two organelles. Our test system was editing of the Arabidopsis thaliana mRNAs for ndhB and nad2, and for ndhD and nad4, which encode homologous subunits of the plastid and mitochondrial NAD(P)H dehydrogenases, respectively. The editing sites in the Arabidopsis nad2 and nad4 mRNAs have previously been determined and we report here 19 editing sites in eight mRNAs in Arabidopsis plastids. Out of these, eight sites are localized in the ndhB mRNA. In its mitochondrial counterpart, nad2, 31 editing sites are present, none of which are shared with the ndhB gene. The Arabidopsis ndhD mRNA is edited at four positions, only one of which is shared by its mitochondrial homologue, nad4, which contains 32 editing sites. These findings suggest that, although editing in the two organelles may have derived from a single system, there is no significant conservation of editing sites in cognate mRNAs in plastids and mitochondria.

Amino Acid Sequence↗